The mission of Padre Island Business Association (PIBA) is to advance and promote the economic environment for business, and to advocate responsive government and quality education, while preserving the unique community characteristics of Padre Island - Corpus Christi and Mustang Island - Corpus Christi, Texas.
A Growing Community of Businesses
We are committed to helping your business succeed.
Come out to one of our events, you will love the atmosphere and friendships!
Active Business Members
PIBA Board Members
PIBA Board Members
President
Meagan Furey, Realtor Coastline Properties.
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. .
Visit us @Coastline PropertiesVice President
Kim Pendergraft, Willow Bend Mortgage
As a native Texan and longtime Coastal Bend resident, I know and love this area. It is my passion to help you secure the best financing options for your unique home loan needs in South Texas. With Willow Bend Mortgage and their variety of outstanding mortgage options, I can help you with a purchase of a new home or refinancing your present home. I walk you through the process step by step from application to closing, answering all your questions. Not only is it exciting to help you with the biggest purchase of your life, I want to earn your trust for any future business you might need. I also enjoy giving back to my beautiful community. I serve as the Vice President of the Padre Island Business association, volunteer at several local non-profit organizations and host a weekly networking meeting. I strive to create lasting connections with my clients and other business professionals I work with on a daily basis. Thank you for the opportunity to be your go-to person for mortgage loans. NMLS #180239
Visit us @ Willow Bend MortgageTreasurer
Dan Herrington, Vice President/Loan Officer - 1st Community Bank
My wife Lori and I had always dreamed of going coastal, and finally made the move from Northeast Texas almost two years ago to become full-time Islanders. While we’ve only been here a short time, we absolutely love our island community! We have three grown Children – Nichole (36), Stefan (28), and David (22), and two Grandchildren – Charlie & Jaxson. Job wise, I’ve spent the last 23+ years in banking and finance, and recently accepted the role of Vice President and Loan Officer at First Community Bank on the island. Hobbies include playing live music and boating, so when not at the bank or volunteering, you're likely to catch me on the water sailing, fishing, or playing my guitar somewhere around the island. As a PIBA Ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact this organization is making in our business community, and I look forward to serving in this new capacity. .
Visit me @1st Community BankSecretary
Nicole Hartwick, Frost Bank
My name is Nicole Hartwick, I work with Frost Bank & I have worked at the Padre Island location for 9 years. I am very passionate about my job, the customers I work with & the Padre Island community. I am a single mother of two amazing girls; they are my inspiration, they push me to be a better person & they are my biggest accomplishment thus far. I am dedicated to helping the community grow, making sure the “hometown” feeling is still around & that the Island continues to be our little piece of paradise. I volunteer at most of the Island events, so if you see me don’t forget to say “Hi” .
Visit us @Frost BankMembers
Tony Tagliaferro, Owner Island Italian
Born on the east coast but got to Padre Island the fastest I could. Fell in love with Padre Island and everything it has to offer from the people to the beach, to the Laguna Madre and all this beautiful weather we get to enjoy all year long. My family opened Island Italian in 1987 and I’ve worked there since, learning every aspect of the business from doing dishes after school to now running and owning one of the oldest eateries on North Padre Island. Working toward the future with family members and preparing my daughter to be the 3rd generation to run Island Italian where you can usually find us working together. Stop by and say we love to meet new people and visit with friends. We can also be reached at theislanditalian@aol.com . Arrivederci Ya”ll . .
Visit us @Island Italian
Kaylynn Paxson
Kaylynn Paxson, raised here in our coastal community, is passionate about supporting, empowering, and growing this city through enhancing and promoting local industries. She has been an active supporter and participant with local business associations and chambers of commerce, earning her the opportunity to author the Padre Island Business Association’s Strategic Plan – 2018-2020, announced in the October 2018 luncheon. With a background in hospitality management, she currently chairs the newly formed PIBA Hospitality Committee, aimed at supporting and coordinating with Island businesses. She believes that it takes each member of the community doing their part to truly bring about the success of our coastal area. Visit me @KaylynnPaxson4CC .
Visit us @Port Royal Ocean Resort
Javier Garcia
Hello, my name is Javier Garcia. I’m the owner of Padre Landscapes and I’ve lived and worked on the island for over 15 years. I have a beautiful wife name Sabrina and 5 awesome kids. I’ve seen a lot of changes on our wonderful island and amazed at the growth over time. Along with being involved with Padre Island Business Association, I am a Boy Scout leader of Pack 949. During 2017, I was involved in community efforts, after Hurricane Harvey to feed Port Aransas at Camp David. In the same year, I traveled to Mexico City, and assisted others after a major earthquake. Due to the community involvement, I was awarded Island Ambassadors Business of the Year, Nov 2017. I’m honored and hope I can be of service during my tenure on this board. .
Visit us @Padre Landscapes
Charlie Knoll
My name is Charlie Knoll. I grew up in a small town in the middle of Iowa but have either called Flour Bluff or Padre Island my home for the last 33 years. I have been happily married to the love of my life, Christi Knoll, for 18 years and we have two boys, Caleb (15) and Carter (12), who keep us busy in our spare time. Jobwise I’m the Broker Associate and Sales Manager for Coldwell Banker Island Escapes, which is family-owned, and we also own a vacation rental company called Padre Escapes. My favorite things to do hobby-wise would be playing billiards, basketball, fishing, and hanging with the family. I look forward to working alongside the other PIBA members to promote the Island and its wonderful growing business community.
Karen Rossi, Naughty Pineapple
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!
Executive Director
Stan Hulse, Toucan Graphics
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. .
Visit us @Toucan GraphicsEx-Officio
John White, (Retired) Kimberly Clark Corporation
John was born and raised in Modesto, California and has been a resident of Corpus Christi for more than 20 years. He has held numerous positions over the years in the PIBA including President (2008-2010), Vice President (2010-2014). He has held titles in many different organizations in our city including the Island Strategic action committee and the Kiwanis club. In his retirement he still contributes as board members of Beauty Corpus Christ & the American Diabetes Association as well as being a Commissioner, for the Nueces County Coastal Parks Commission. John He has always been a great steward to our community since he arrived. He has happily married with 4 children and 12 grandchildren. His generosity and dedication to making our community a beautiful place to live is truly remarkable! .
Visit us @Padre Island Business Association
Meredith Darden, VP of Experience @ Visit Corpus Christi
Meredith is an active member of the Texas tourism industry with over eight years serving in hospitality and has been with Visit Corpus Christi since 2014. In her role as Vice President of Experience, Meredith is tasked with improving the overall visitor experience in every stage of the process – from travel planning, to visiting, to returning home. In 2019, Meredith received her Certified Tourism Executive designation from the Texas Travel Industry Association. In 2020, Meredith was recognized as one of the top 25 Corpus Christi Under 40 professionals for her significant contributions in her professional field as well as service to the Corpus Christi community. Her contributions to Visit Corpus Christi include creation of a successful monthly food truck event, development of the Mobile Services Department, the Visit Corpus Christi Ambassador training program and implementation of the Corpus Christi Beer Trail program. Meredith represents Visit Corpus Christi as a member of the City of Corpus Christi Watershore and Beach Advisory Committee as well as the North Beach Eco Park Steering Committee.
“I am excited to serve the Padre Island community through the PIBA board of directors. I recognize the impact and delicate balance of sustainable tourism development for Padre and Mustang Islands. I look forward to advocating for Padre Island in everything we do at Visit Corpus Christi.” Meredith lives in Corpus Christi, Texas with her Blue Heeler, Laguna, and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her seven cows and her family. . Visit us @VisitCorpusChristi