The Gulf Coast Maritime Museum (GCMM), an esteemed institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Florida’s rich maritime history, is proud to announce the election of three new board members. The museum, which plays a crucial role in conserving Florida’s history of boat building, is excited to welcome these individuals who share passion and commitment.

“We are thrilled with the level of experience and dedication that these gentlemen bring to our board,” said Virginia Harshman, Executive Director. “Their enthusiasm for preserving Florida’s important history of boat building, along with their concern for conserving our waterways, is a perfect fit for our growing museum.”

The new directors include Thomas E. Grubb, CRPC®, Assistant Vice President, The Elzer Advisory Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Mr. Grubb hails from Bradenton, Florida. He graduated from Campbell University, North Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, which he earned while proudly serving in the Air Force. Tom and his wife Paula are avid sailors, enjoying racing and cruising on their sailboat in the Tampa Bay area and the Gulf of Mexico. Tom has served as Commodore of the Bradenton Yacht Club.

David Hillmyer, a Sarasota native, has a deep connection to our local waters. His passion for sailing, which began at a Sarasota Youth Sailing summer camp in the mid-eighties, has led him to compete in 5 Laser Masters World Championships. When he’s not sailing, David takes to the skies as a professional Boeing 787 pilot for United Airlines. His dedication to the maritime world is further demonstrated by his four-year tenure as the Board President of Sarasota Youth Sailing. David and his wife, Donna, an accomplished sailor, live in south Sarasota.

Thomas Luzier, a board-certified real estate attorney, is a partner at Williams Parker. Tom’s practice covers various real estate matters, representing individuals and businesses; in 2015, Governor Rick Scott appointed Mr. Luzier to serve on the Florida Real Estate Commission, which administers and enforces Florida’s real estate license law. Mr. Luzier’s other civic affiliations have included membership on the Board of Directors of the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, for which he chaired the audit and governance committees, as well as the Board of Trustees of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where he was a past board chair. Mr. Luzier is a graduate of Leadership Florida and, among numerous other civic involvements, has served as the Chair of the City of Sarasota’s Historic Preservation Board, counsel to the Board of Directors of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council. Tom, the son of iconic Sarasota boat builder Herman Luzier and the nephew of George Luzier brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the GCMM board. Tom and his family enjoy spending time on the water in their Luzier boats.

About the Gulf Coast Maritime Museum

The Gulf Coast Maritime Museum Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to preserving Florida’s significant history of boat building. The organization aims to inspire the public by showcasing collections and displays of boats, boat-building tools, half-hull models, test tank models, original boat plans, wooden molds, relevant marine art and prints, and historic photos of boat builders and the boats they built.

The museum is in the early phases of construction planning. Upon its completion, the museum will feature a wide range of boats constructed from various materials, including wood, fiberglass, metal, and others. In addition to preserving the history of boat building, the museum will engage in public outreach programs to educate children and adults about boat-building techniques, half-hull modeling, and boat restoration. The GCMM is also focused on the conservation of our waterways, ensuring the navigability of clean water for recreational enjoyment for generations to come.

To demonstrate its commitment to its mission, the museum will offer lectures and displays of photographs and documents highlighting the historical importance of boat building and boats in the early settlement of Florida. The museum will showcase a rich history that dates back 7,000 years to the original native settlers who used dugout canoes to navigate Florida’s rivers and lakes as if they were a network of highways.

As Gulf Coast Maritime Museum eagerly await the completion of a physical facility, the museum offers community outreach programming through their “Written in Water” speaker series. This program features subject-matter experts available to speak to groups, classes, and clubs interested in learning more about Florida’s maritime history.

Photos Credit: Gulf Coast Maritime Museum

Date Posted: June 11, 2024