Wheels & Keels Board of Directors
-
Gavin Ruotolo
Chief Executive Officer
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something morMr. Ruotolo has extensive experience in the development, construction and management of all facets of multi-family residential as well as commercial properties. He has been directly involved in real estate development since the early 1970's. Since that time period, he has created a substantial and diverse portfolio of residential, commercial and retail properties throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Florida. Mr. Ruotolo's past civic involvement includes serving on the Town of Scarborough's Conservation Committee, assisting in the creation of the Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, membership on the Greater Portland Regional Chamber Traffic and Infrastructure Committee as well as sponsorship of several educational and athletic activities throughout Southern Maine.
-
Gordon Sulcer
Vice President
Mr. Sulcer has over 38 years of advertising, sales management, marketing and entrepreneurial experience in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and real estate industries. After working in various advertising and marketing firms, in 1984 he launched his entrepreneurial career with the purchase and subsequent revitalization of New Jersey's oldest and largest marina located in Point Pleasant, NJ. In addition, Mr. Sulcer is the founder of First Choice Marketing, LLC, a sports marketing sponsorship agency. Mr. Sulcer holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Williams College and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
-
Sam Gagliano
President
Mr. Gagliano attended technical communications schools in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict and attended several Armament Electronics training schools. After the military, he worked for 20 years for a Fortune 100 computer company, spending the last 10 years in senior product management. In 1991 Mr. Gagliano founded MidWare Technologies Inc. developing software that easily migrated proprietary mid-range computer systems to "open" systems and personal computers. He retired from MidWare after 17 years to pursue his many personal interests. In the early 1970s he became involved with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and several local auto clubs and enjoyed many restoration projects, mentoring young people, shows and tours. He also founded the Boston AACA Region. Mr. Gagliano has a strong interest in Mercury cars, especially 1940/50s vintage. He currently works with the Early Ford V8 Club creating a 1949-1951 Mercury authenticity manual to be used as a restoration and judging reference.
-
Kent Soukup
Director
Mr. Soukup and his wife Cynthia have been splitting their time between Vero Beach and Boulder Colorado since 2019. Mr. Soukup had a varied career with 17 years in banking as the controller of the largest bank in Colorado ultimately leading the investment banking group to become the third largest issuer of housing revenue bonds in the nation. He followed that with owning his own import/retail service company, which serviced over 10,000 retail locations across the nation. The final 10 years of his career he created a company that constructed and developed 450 affordable homes overseas. Mr. Soukup now spends his time golfing, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends. Mr. Soukup is currently on the board of Boulder Country Club, Treasurer of his Boulder HOA, Treasurer of Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach, and on the board of Wheels and Keels.
-
Lisa Barganier
Secretary
Ms. Barganier attended University of Georgia prior to beginning her career at Delta Air Lines in 1978. Her diverse position at the airline found her in many different roles: domestic and international inflight purser, corporate and inflight facilitator/instructor, system wide on the job trainer and computer instructor. She was also a core representative for the flight attendant forum and a certified instructor for Hearts team defibrillators.
Upon retirement in 2005, she has volunteered with The Make-A-WishFoundation of South Florida and the Florida Keys, Holy Cross - Dorothy Manguerian Woman’s Center in Fort Lauderdale, Riverside Theater – Vero Beach and the Indian River Humane Society. From 2008 to 2024, she was the Chairman of the Delta Diamonds, a large group of over 300 retired and active Delta employees. This group holds an annual retirement luncheon and reunion which Ms. Barganier organized. Ms. Barganier’s other interests include traveling, boating, scuba diving, theater and painting.
-
Vincent DeTurris
Past President
Description goes Mr. DeTurris is a graduate of Pace University and began his working career with the Carnation/Nestle Food Company in 1965. His career there spanned 35 years in areas of marketing, sales and new product development and distribution. After retiring from Carnation/Nestle he became Vice President of Marketing and Sales of an Internet company (DEXI.com) in south Florida. After moving to Vero Beach, he became one of the founding members of XETREAM, Inc. a company involved in X-Ray systems that could detect many hazardous materials. After leaving that company (real retirement) he was a Board member of the South Beach Property Owners Association and was also active in several committee functions with The Moorings Yacht & Country Club.
here
IN MEMORIAM
George McEwan Bryant, a retired attorney, and a member of the Wheels & Keels Foundation Board of Directors, passed on August 23, 2021. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who strove to leave a place better than he found it -- hoping to make a difference.
George grew up in Ridgewood, NJ and graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1959. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America and became an Eagle Scout earning his “God and Country Award.” He graduated from Brown University in 1963 where he was Editor of the Brown Daily Herald student newspaper. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1966 with a JD degree.He married Barbara Ann Phyfe on September 10, 1966. George started his career with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City.
Later, he worked as corporate council with New York Life Insurance Company and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He retired in 2005 and moved from Ridgewood, NJ to Vero Beach.
George cared deeply about the Vero Beach community. He was a member of The Eagle Society of the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. He served for six years as President of The Moorings of Vero Property Owners’ Association, Inc. He was a member of The Moorings Yacht and Country Club where he also served on the Yacht Club board. He was chairman of the annual “Christmas Lighted Boat Parade,” bringing holiday cheer to the community.
Three times a week, George was up early and out for a round of golf with his buddies. Later in the day he often had a meeting to attend. He was always willing to join in whatever activity was happening. He had a “Cheshire Cat” grin and a sense of humor to go with it.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; his daughter Meredith Lee Bryant of Vero Beach; his son Scott McEwan Bryant of Short Hills, New Jersey; and three granddaughters, Ruth Evelyn Bryant, Madeline Sydney Bryant and Deborah McEwan Bryant.
George was generous, caring and willing to give of his time and energy to help others. He touched many people with his good deeds. He will be missed by all who knew him.