Alan R. Bennett

GCBA President / GCBA Events Chairman

Alan Bennett currently serves as President of the Garden City Business Alliance, as well as the Chairman of the GCBA Events Committee. A new resident of Westland, Alan and his wife, Laura, spent over 22 years as Garden City residents, raising their 3 children as successful products of the Garden City Public School system. Aside from his GCBA duties, Alan is proud to serve as the Technical Director for the Garden City High School Theatre program where he designs Sets, gathers Props, and executes Make-up plots. In addition, Alan operates an online theatre directory, www.FindLiveTheatre.com, dedicated to inform theatre fans everywhere about various live theatre productions, auditions, theatre camps and classes. Alan is excited about the prospects of continuing the hard work started by Mr. Kerry Partin, the legendary founder and former President of the GCBA.

Elaine Salter

GCBA Vice President / GCBA Trunk-R-Treat Co-Chairwoman

Elaine Salter is a long time resident of Garden City.  She and her family moved here in the summer before she started first grade, and stayed until she graduated from Garden City West High School in 1978. Elaine lived with her family for a few years in Livonia before marrying her husband, Kevin. When deciding where to buy their first home, they both decided on Garden City, where they both grew up.  Elaine was asked to join a gift basket business that two of her sisters-in-law had started. After working together for a couple years, both sisters-in-law decided it wasn’t for them. Rather than closing the business, Elaine decided to take it on herself, eventually renaming the business to Elaine’s Gift Baskets and More.

Elaine joined the GCBA after seeing an article in the Garden City Observer, and seeing their booth at an event. She attended her first meeting 2 months after the GCBA was founded, and has rarely missed a meeting since. “I love how this organization has made me aware of what my city has to offer”.

Joe Bartley

GCBA Treasurer

Joe Bartley, President of J & J Taxes and More has been preparing taxes in Garden City for over 20 years. When the time was right for Joe and wife Jennene to open their office, they knew there was only one place, they wanted to be, and that was Garden City. Joe grew up in Garden City and is a graduate of Garden City East High School.  He believes in “giving back” by supporting and sponsoring community events, high school sports, the Garden City Historical Museum, Toys for Tots, The Boy Scouts and The Food Pantry (to name a few).  Joe was also one of the founding members of the Garden City Business Alliance and has served as Trustee and is currently Treasurer. He’s the father of a son, two daughters and two grandchildren, which he loves to spend time with, when he’s not crunching numbers.

Kerry Partin

GCBA Trustee / GCBA Co-Founder / GCBA Former President

Kerry Partin, host of Garden City Community Chat along with co-founder Kelly Perkins established the Garden City Business Alliance in August of 2014. After the disbanding of Garden City's Chamber of Commerce, they both realized the need for not only the businesses to have an organization to advocate for them, but for the city to have representation as well.  The GCBA is a 501 c-6 organization and its membership has grown ever since.  As a result of Kerry and Kelly's hard work and dedication the GCBA is now recognized by the City of Garden City as their Chamber.

Remember to please "support small business".  

Sharon Hassett

Trustee

Sharon Hassett has lived in Garden City for almost 40 years and is currently employed at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home in Garden City. Sharon has served as treasure and is currently a trustee for the Garden City Business Alliance and has helped from inception to establish, support, and grow this organization for the benefit of the community. Sharon volunteers on the board of directors for the Friends of the G. C. Historical Museum who graciously offers their Grande Parlour banquet room for the GCBA monthly membership meetings. Appointed by the mayor, Sharon also serves as Chairman for the Commission on Aging of Garden City.

Jill Buterbaugh

Trustee