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.
-
Derek W. Stalhut
Board Member
A lifelong resident of this community, Derek Stalhut is a Broker Associate with Smith and Stalhut Investment Group. His professional success, including the sale of hundreds of properties, is a testament to his expertise in the local real estate market. Specializing in strategic purchases, sales, and 1031 exchanges, Derek helps real estate owners maximize their investment. As a board member, he is eager to leverage his professional acumen to benefit the community.
-
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.
-
Bonnie Smith
Board Member
Raised in Fort Pierce, she attended Indian River State College and then began working for Southern Bell Telephone Company. She started as a long distance operator with the plug-in boards and then service representative, business representative and retired as engineering assistant over a span of 30 years. While still working, she volunteered at the Indian River Medical Center in the Emergency Department. In addition, she was responsible for the hospital’s teenage volunteer program. After 30 years of volunteering she retired when the hospital closed its volunteer program due to COVID.
She is now active at the Mooring Yacht and Country club’s volunteer programs and enjoys playing cards with friends and taking her dog on long walks.
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.