Board of Directors
Stephanie Hesch
President
Owner
Blue Eagle Insurance
Stephanie Hesch
Stephanie is originally from Minnesota and relocated to Corpus Christi in 2009. She’s been a member of PIBA since 2016 when she opened her business, Blue Eagle Insurance Group. She served as a PIBA Ambassador from 2016 until being elected to the PIBA Board of Directors in 2021. She became Board President in 2022 and is serving her second term. She’s been a Padre Island resident and homeowner since 2016 and opened her island office location in 2020. Stephanie has over ten years of experience in Realtor Association Management; and she is a former Board Member of the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
Dan Herrington
Vice President
Vice President/Loan Officer
1st Community Bank
Dan Herrington
Buddy Ewing
Treasurer
General Manager
Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home
Buddy Ewing
Born and raised in Gulfport, MS, Buddy’s career in the death care industry brought him and his family to Corpus Christi as general manager for Seaside Funeral Home and Corpus Christi Funeral Home. In 2019, he became the managing partner for Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Corpus Christi Funeral Home, and Rose Hill Memorial Park. He is actively involved in the community and serves on numerous boards in Corpus Christi. He currently serves on the membership committee and is PIBA Board Treasurer. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting at his family farm in MS, and traveling with his wife.
Nicole Hartwick
Secretary
Personal Banker
Kleberg Bank
Nicole Hartwick
Nicole Hartwick is a Private Banking Officer at Kleberg Bank, where she has worked since March 2020. She grew up in Pensacola, FL, and Grayson, GA, before moving to Texas in 1995 to begin her banking career. In June 2007, she relocated from Katy, TX, to Corpus Christi, which has been her home for over 17 years.
Around 2013, Nicole began volunteering for PIBA events and hasn’t stopped since. She served on the PIBA Board from 2017 to 2018 as a non-voting member, and in October 2018, she was elected PIBA Secretary. Nicole held the Secretary position for two terms (six years) before taking a year off in accordance with PIBA By-Laws. In October 2024, she was re-elected as PIBA Secretary, making her the only Board Member to “boomerang” back into the role.
Nicole has been a PIBA Ambassador for 10 years, serving as the PIBA Ambassador Chair for the past two years. She is also a proud mother of two daughters: Sarah, her eldest, is graduating from the University of Houston, and Natalie will graduate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the spring of 2026.
Board Members
Tisha Gavlik
Owner & Creator
Nauti T's Creations
Tisha Gavlik
Originally from Southern California, Tisha Gavlik and her husband first moved to Padre Island in 2016 to assist family members who have been island residents since 2004. Tisha is the owner and creator of Nauti T’s Creations, LLC. She worked for over 25 years as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). However, following a serious accident that prevented her from continuing in her role as an RDA, she began creating jellies for friends and family.
What started as a hobby in Tennessee more than a decade ago—and later on the island in 2018—has flourished into a full-time business with a brick-and-mortar storefront. Tisha has been a member of PIBA since 2018 and is very active in the local community and charitable organizations, donating to dozens of causes every year.
As a small, woman-owned business in the food industry, Tisha feels she can add a valuable voice to those who are often overlooked or unheard. She loves the island and is passionate about giving back and promoting this beautiful place we all call home.
Lauren Harris
Owner
Mosquito Hunters
Lauren Harris
Originally from Stephenville, Texas, I first moved to Padre Island as the director of strength and conditioning at TAMUCC in 2009-2012. After a coaching stint at the University of Nebraska, I moved back in 2019 to start my pest control business, Mosquito Hunters of Corpus Christi. My family and I love the island life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to Padre Island through PIBA.
DC Ratliff
Mortgage Loan Officer
Smarter Mortgage
David "DC" Ratliff
Bio coming soon!
Karen Rossi
Owner
Naughty Pineapple
Karen Rossi
After being a part-time Islander helping my parents who were winter Texans that eventually retired here, my husband and I finally moved here in 2014. I worked at the Love Note in town and later started my own business NautyPineapple. I went to work for CRT Flooring Concepts in the Port Aransas showroom in 2018. I am a member of PIE, an island Ambassador and a board member of the Padre Island Yacht Club. I look forward to continuing to promote our wonderful little sand bar!
Stan Sweeney
Owner
Island Gold & Padre Island Cigar
Stan Sweeney
Stan was born and raised in North Texas, and after graduation and some college, he joined the United States Air Force. Graduating from The University of Nebraska at Omaha and finishing his military service, he went into Law Enforcement for several years. Stan later made a move into corporate America, serving as Operations Director of a tech company in Dallas, General Manager of a Retail / Marketing Organization in New Mexico, and Entrepreneur and Management / Business Consultant back in Texas. He and his wife, Liz, now own and operate Island Gold, Padre Island Cigar Company, and Set A Course Consulting (a biotech consulting company). We have had a place on Padre Island for about ten years, and we are actively involved in the local business community and many charitable organizations since early 2021.
Visit me at Island Gold and Padre Island Cigar Company
Meagan Furey
Ex-Officio / Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC)
Realtor
Coastline Properties
Meagan Furey
Meagan is a Realtor with Coastline Properties and is very passionate about our beautiful community. After relocating with her family from Denver to the island in 2010, she drew on her broadcast marketing and advertising experience to gain employment with Corpus Christi's local NBC and CBS affiliates. Working with regional and local business owners allowed her to educate herself with the community and assist local business owners in growing their businesses. Her enthusiasm to assist others drove her to become a Realtor.
Meagan is an active member of our community and volunteers for Timon's and various other non-profits in Corpus Christi. Her community involvement and volunteering efforts earned her the 2016 Padre Island Business Association's Citizen of the Year award.
Meagan and her supportive husband John have two children, both graduates of Flour Bluff High School. .
America Segura
Ex-Officio
Director of Communications
Visit Corpus Christi
America Segura
America Segura is an experienced brand and communications professional specializing in travel, tourism, and retail. Currently leading public relations efforts for Visit Corpus Christi, positioning it as the Gulf Coast Capital through media relations, influencer partnerships, and community initiatives. Fluent in Spanish and English, with a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Stan Hulse
PIBA Executive Director
Owner
Toucan Graphics
Stan Hulse
Stan moved to North Padre Island in 2008 and has been serving as Executive Director of PIBA since then. With his brother, he owns Toucan Graphics, a small marketing company with its main office located on South Padre Island. Stan is very involved in the North Padre community, serving as a member on the Island Strategic Action Committee, and on several other community organizations. Stan was born in Belize and has lived in the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and Pittsburgh, PA before relocating to N. Padre. He has one son, one daughter and a granddaughter, all living in Corpus Christi. .
Holly Rhoades
PIBA Membership Director
Holly Rhoades
Bio coming soon!