Member Spotlight

Jill and Tom Galmarini

Your role as the Director of Civic Initiatives, facilitating the Just Imagine SWLA 50-Year Resilience Plan, gives you big picture perspective of our region. What excites you about your responsibilities each day? What are some of the wins you feel will most benefit our region in the future?

The most exciting part of my job is that no two days EVER look the same. Facilitating 11 catalytic projects ensures that I am never bored. I am constantly learning new things, building relationships, and meeting new people. It's so fun (and rewarding) to see aspects of Just Imagine coming to life. I will never forget the day we were notified that the City of Lake Charles and the Lake Charles Housing Authority were awarded the $40 Million Choice Neighborhood grant. To me, this is the catalytic project that catalyzes all the other projects. Not only will this project help with housing and revitalize the heart of our city, but it demonstrates how effective we can be as a community when we all come together, as a team, to solve big problems.

Since you’ve lived in other parts of the country, what are some opportunities you see for SWLA that you’ve experienced in other places?

The Bayou Greenbelt project is exciting to me because I know how impactful a network of connected trails and waterways can be to a community. I've spent MANY hours on the Sawmill Branch trail in Summerville, SC training for races, walking my dogs, taking bike rides with my kids, etc. It is an amenity you take for granted when you have it and miss it terribly when you no longer have access. Growing up in Northwest Ohio, I've seen my small hometown go through an economic boom because of the abandoned railroads being converted to multipurpose trails. What was once a sleepy little farming town is now a quaint and thriving area with a variety of small businesses serving the community. I love going back to visit and see the beautiful plantings along the main street, grabbing a cup of coffee, and logging my steps on those trails. I truly believe that quality of life is economic development and Bayou Greenbelt is a key component to talent and business attraction/retention for our region.

You’ve had the chance to work with many people and organizations around Louisiana and around the country. Who are some that stand out for you and why?

Working with the National Park Service was a dream realized I didn't even know I had. The NPS is very well respected all over the country, it has been an honor to have the opportunity to work with them. Also, spending a year working with Urban Design Associates to develop Just Imagine was a master-class experience. I learned SOOOOOOOOO much and it has shaped how I approach this job and facilitate all 11 catalytic projects

There are so many amazingly talented and wonderful people working here in local government and nonprofits that do NOT get the recognition they deserve for their efforts. Most of those folks worked through the hurricanes and subsequent weather events doing their disaster recovery job and well as their normal jobs, all while trying to rebuild homes and take care of their families. I have such a deep respect for everything they have done and continue to do for our community. The folks I have the privilege to work with care A LOT about what happens in our community and work hard to make a positive impact each and every day.

You are “walking the talk” by personally being an Annual Member of the Community Foundation. What inspires you and your husband’s annual membership donation?

I love our members!!! I don't think there's a single organization in SWLA that has members that care as much as CFSWLA members. When the time came to make the decision where to show our financial support, it only made sense to invest in an organization with members that all "walk the talk." I'm just lucky that it gets to be my job too!