WHO WE ARE
Galveston Golf Cart Society is a Texas 501c3 non profit organization that connects local golf cart owners who seek to support their community, advocate and set an example of golf cart safety and socialize while enjoying the island life.
The Galveston Golf Cart Society was started in the summer of 2021 by Jesse Salinas and Vicky Sinclair, while enjoying an evening with friends. Jesse's zest for life and being BOI, inspired him to want to do more for his community while enjoying the island life with his life partner, Vicky Sinclair. One of the ways he enjoyed the island was on a golf cart with all his golf cart friends.
Jesse's vision was to create a group of local golf cart owners to have fun while giving back. His passion for the island included beach clean ups, supporting women and children organizations as well as veterans and more. One of his biggest dreams was to find a way to give back to Ball High students graduating into trade or vocational schools.
In January 2022, Jesse's life was cut short way too soon. With the help of friends, his partner Vicky carried on to make his vision come true. Vicky was able to develop this organization into a 501c3 non profit organization. In his honor, the Jesse Salinas scholarship fund was created to fulfill Jesse's dream to give Galveston students the support they need. This organization has grown to host annual events supporting Texas beach clean up, Galveston County Food Bank, VFW, UTMB Women's Cancer Center and local veterans along with other local organizations.
Our Board Members
President
Vicky Sinclair
Vicky arrived in Galveston in 2014 and found island life to be everything she’d dreamed of. Her work as financial secretary in the Christian school environment brings exceptional skills needed to manage a 501c3 organization. Vicky's passions are her grandkids, baseball, country music and of course, enjoying island life on her bright pink golf cart, Jesse's Girl
Vice President
Drew Fontaine
Embracing the island vibes since 2020. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. Beach and water lover. Celebrating 23 years of marriage. Founding member and former director. Committed to making a difference through various charities. Cooking up a storm with love Life is a whirlwind, so pause and cherish the moments Don't let life pass you by! #IslandVibes #BeachLoverForever #MakingADifference
Secretary
Katy Marshall
Islander since 2022. The island has been her “place” since 1972. Katy loves spending time with her husband, adult children and 6! Grandchildren. She is passionate about her career as a Nurse of 30+ years. She loves hats and weenies, as she is a mom of 4 Dachshunds
Treasurer
James Cook
James (and his lovely wife Aleida) join us from the small island of Tiki. A California transplant over 20 years ago, he is just happy to be near the water, cruising the streets in his golf cart and sharing time with family and friends at the local venues. With over 40 years of financial and tax experience in the Oil and Gas Industry and as a consultant to the same, he will keep an eye on the monies that are so diligently collected through events and donations. James and Aleida are both excited to be part of the Team, and just hope to live up to what this awesome group has already built for the community and scholarship recipients
Director of Special Events
Al Gutierrez
Moving from Miami Florida where I met Laura (my wife) in 1981. I spent 31 years with AT&T long enough to remember when ‘call waiting’ was cutting edge. After retiring, I traded telephones for franchise ownership running my own business for 10 years. My hobbies include pickleball (my knees are still deciding how they feel about that) and golf (where I’m more familiar with sand traps than fairways). I’m also passionate about giving back-supporting local charities and community causes that make a difference. These days you’ll find me enjoying the Coastal life in Galveston where sunshine, good friends and cold drinks are always in season. It’s more than just where I live. It’s where I belong
Director of Scholarships
Peggy Heately
Peggy is a retired high school teacher. Her experience as a career preparations instructor helping students prepare for life after high school, is great experience for the director of scholarships position. She has lived on the island 8 years and loves riding around in her golf cart admiring the historical architecture of Galveston. You may also find her walking her two pups “Waylon” and “Amos Moses”, sitting on her front porch reading a good book or enjoying a glass of wine with a cat or two in her lap!
Communications Director
Courtney Gunn
Courtney is an IBC who moved to Galveston from Beaumont in the Fall of 2022. She has worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device fields since 1998 doing equipment and software validation. Over the years, she’s volunteered with the Cub Scouts, Food Bank, Animal Shelter, and various school fund raising projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, paddle boarding, coin collecting, and spending time with her husband, son, and the best-est dog in the whole world, Ruby the Pitt-Weenie..
Membership Director
Jill Tiras
Jill moved to Houston, Texas in 2012. Originally from Michigan. After many years in the Physical Therapy / Healthcare industry, we relocated to Galveston in 2020 to manage their
vacation rental and embrace the Island lifestyle. You will often find her cruising around the island on their golf cart or walking the beaches with her husband and “furbabies.” Or just relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. Jill’s favorite things and hobbies are
spending time with family and friends, community involvement, painting and decorating. Sunshine, warm breezes and being by the water are essential for her Soul. Life is better in flip flops!
Sponsorship Director
Kim Daigle
Kim has been enjoying the island life one weekend at a time for decades until finally becoming a permanent fixture in 2021. GGCS provides the perfect channel for Kim to marry her love of water, people and community service. As a founding member and previous board member, Kim will embrace this inaugural role of Sponsorship Director leveraging her near forty years of corporate experience and her history with this amazing group of people!