SMW Regional Council Member
Duke Gill

Council Member
Duke GIl, Flint, Texas
dukeg@aol.com

Council Member since February 2010

A relative newcomer, I did my first triathlon (Athens Triathlon) in 2007 when I’d just turned 52. When I was 50, I was an obese, couch potato. At the admonition of my family doctor, I started a swimming program and began to lose weight. After watching my swimming progress, Carlos Ruiz encouraged me to do my first triathlon. As most of you have experienced—what a blast! I soon gained the support of other local triathletes, Steve Farris, Tammy Rooney, and Kami Nedbalek and in November of 2007, was elected president of the East Texas Triathletes. The goal of ETT is to promote participation in multi-sports. Through trainings and clinics, we encourage beginners to compete in races in our area. Our club applied and received a grant from USAT which we used to organize the first annual Rose City Triathlon in 2008.

Retiring after a 31 year career as a teacher for the Tyler Independent School District, I will have more time to dedicate to serving on the SMW council. I am excited to have been chosen to serve and look forward to meeting and hearing from our multi-sport family.

Duke's current term expires in 2011.