Board Members
We’re a diverse group of people who volunteer as servant leaders for the Austin Galano Club community. Meet our amazing team.
Peter T.
he, him, his
President / Fundrasing
My recovery journey began in St. Petersburg, Florida, but life events uprooted me to Austin in April 2015. The Galano Club became my new home away from home, introducing me to the Texas Recovery hospitality that helps me thrive. I always look forward to connecting at the holiday parties, cleaning days of service, or just hanging out in the coffee lounge catching up with friends or committees I have had the privilege to serve with here in ATX. “Suit up and show up” was my first sponsor’s favorite line… and I look forward to serving on the board and continuing to grow and learn as I interact with different aspects of the Austin recovery community. I am truly humbled to serve Austin Galano Club and help foster a safe space for unity and service for all fellowships and the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Board Term: 2022-2024
Greg R
he, him, his
Vice President / Communications
Having spent most of my life outside of the U.S, I landed in Texas in 2013. Since then, I have called Austin “home” and the Galano Club is a central reason why. Through the help of the incredible fellowship and welcoming recovery meetings at Galano, I have been sober since June 2018. Some of my most cherished friendships started in the coffee bar area or the patio outside. Countless other memories of laughter, joy, and love have been with folks I have met at Galano. It is truly a magical place that saved my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to help give back what was so freely given to me.
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Board Term: 2023-2025
Heather P.
she, her, hers
Secretary
I grew up in Austin and graduated from Baylor University in 1995. I’m a mother to an 18-year-old son, have two feisty rat terriers, and have worked in B2B Tech digital media for over 20 years. I got sober in the summer of 2018 and soon after found a vibrant, authentic, and caring sober family at Austin Galano Club. As a lifelong proud ally, I look forward to giving back to this community as a board member, as this club has given me the greatest gift of all – a life beyond my wildest dreams.
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Board Term: 2022-2024
John F
he, him, his
Treasurer
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I’m a native Austinite, born and mostly raised here since 1972, living just around the corner from the Austin Galano Club when I was born. Who knew my recovery home would bring me back to the neighborhood. I worked in bars and nightclubs in my teens and twenties, got in trouble with the law and found myself sobered up in 1997 thanks to the remarkable people in Lambda Live and Let Live. In 2011, several of us got together and came up with the idea of the Austin Galano Club, communicated out to the community to see if there was broad interest, and invited groups to participate. It’s humbling to see what the club has become, the lives touched and the myriad groups who now call Austin Galano Club home. I served on the original AGC board from 2011 thru 2017 and I’m grateful to get to serve the community again.
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Board Term: 2024-2026
Michael H.
he, him, his
Facilities
I grew up in Oceanside, Ca and got sober in San Diego on Oct 10, 2001. After living in West Hollywood, the Midwest briefly and Florida briefly, I settled in Austin in June of 2018. Service work has always been a big part of my recovery. I am humbled and grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve on the Galano Club board. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends and spending time with my dogs.
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Board Term: 2023-2025
Troy C.
he, him, his
Membership
I moved to Austin in 1988 and got sober the last time, seven months later. I had experienced Lambda in a prior sobriety, but it had died while I was back out. But Live and Let Live was alive and well and that is where I got my desire chip on March 30, 1989. Since that time and through the aid of four sponsors, I have stayed sober one day at a time through three careers. I have previously served in several positions with Lambda/Live and Let Live AA group and have sponsored many men over the last 31 years. As an out gay man in recovery, I cherish the placed that Galano has in the Austin Recovery Community as well as the Austin Gay Community. May it always be a vibrant part of Austin’s recovery community, where all are welcome.
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Board Term: 2022-2024
David M
he, him, his
Group Liaison
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In the fall of 1999, I began my recovery journey after recently moving to Austin. Like many, I found, “. . . the result was nil until we let go absolutely.” I have had continuous sobriety since April 14, 2013. In February 2017, I made my re-entry into Lambda. I had heard and read, “RARELY HAVE we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” That simple quote resonated with me and I have worked to grow my sobriety through the recovery, unity, and service. With the advancements in the LGBTQIA+ community, we still need a space inclusive and safe that allows an individual the time to find oneself. The Austin Galano Club does and continues to provide a safe space for those new in recovery or have some time. I am grateful to be of service to the place which has given me many opportunities to grow and learn.
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Board Term: 2024-2026
Derek H.
he, him, his
Co-Chair for IT Webmaster &
Education & Outreach
I’ve been in Austin since I was 6 months old and have seen a lot of change in Austin and even more in me. I’ve been coming to the Lambda Live and Let Live group off and on since 2007, which is one of the many groups housed here at Galano. My sobriety date is 5/30/2011 and since then I got to see Galano grow from an idea to what it is today after Lambda moved into and helped it open. The Welcome Home sign in the big room means exactly what it says as it was at that time Lambda became my home group. Coming here to Galano has given me the ability to not only get sober, stay sober, but it also helped me to fully come to accept my homosexuality. It’s also instilled in me the rewards of service. I couldn’t be more proud to now serve on the Galano board.
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Board Term: 2023-2025
Casey K.
he, him, his
Events
I moved to Austin from my small home town in 2000 and never looked back. I found my devoted husband, I found lifelong friends, but I also found a flood of alcohol and my drug of choice. When I thought all was lost, I found a community of love in 12 step fellowships through the Galano Club. My sponsor is a founding member of the club and it’s in his spirit that I continue to be of service and give back. It’s the least I can do. More than a building, after all, the Galano Club saved my life.
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Board Term: 2022-2024
Kenny K.
he, him, his
Co-Treasurer / Volunteer Coordinator
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I grew up in a small town outside of Austin and moved here in middle school, and have pretty much always considered Austin home. I got sober in 2021 and zoom meetings at the Galano club while I was in treatment were a huge part of that. Sobriety has gifted me with so much and I am very happy to do whatever I can to give back, especially to the place that helped me get here. In my free time you will probably find me with my wonderful partner and her adorable daughter.
Board Term: 2024-2026
Andy B
he, him, his
IT Webmaster
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I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous for the first time while in treatment in Kerrville, TX. It wasn't until I moved to Austin, though, and made it my home, that I found recovery. I started attending meetings at the Galano Club in November of 2018 after leaving treatment. Since then it has been a constant through my journey in sobriety. My sobriety date is September 6, 2020. Along the way, I've shared tears, laughter, and fellowship with other travelers, many of whom are now dear friends. It brings great joy to me to be of service to the AA community and the community I live in. I currently volunteer as a Yoga Teacher for inmates in Travis County Correctional, as a Teacher's assistant teaching High School kids to learn how to code, and as a "barista" at the Galano Coffee Bar. I have a 23-year-old daughter, have two dogs in my care, and work as a Data Engineering Manager. I am a proud ally and look forward to serving the Galano community in any way I can.
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Board Term: 2024-2026
Mara R.
she, her, hers
Austin Galano Club Manager
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I am originally from Illinois near St. Louis, Mo. I was a jockey and racehorse exerciser for over a decade. I managed a string of racehorses for a trainer for two years in Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas. I moved to Austin, Texas, in August of 2022 to get clean and sober. After building a fantastic support system,
including the Galano Club, I moved to Austin permanently for my now 10-month-old daughter and me. I am thrilled to join this journey as Galano’s first club manager.
Interested in joining the Austin Galano Board? Click here for more information on the available roles and responsibilities.
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To reach the entire board, send email to: board@austingalano.org.
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To contact the AGC officers, send email to: info@austingalano.org.