Who's Who at GPI...
Paul Gigante Founder and President, Photographer and Disc Jockey
A 29 year Florida resident with 14 years as a professional photographer and 22 years as a professional disc jockey and emcee. His hobbies include music, his antique firebird, boating, basketball, football, biking and spending time with family and friends.
Brenda Gigante Vice President, Production Manager and CFO
A 26 year Florida resident with over 20 years experience in operations, accounting, production and management. Brenda loves interior decorating, flowers, reading and spending quality time with her family. Brenda is truly the one who keeps everything together from the business, the kids and me. I love you honey!
Nicholas Gigante Junior Kid President
A life long Florida resident with over 10 years experience at being a kid. His dream is to run the company after graduating from the University of Florida. Nick's hobbies include computer games, board games, riding bikes, roller blading, going to the movies and hanging out with his friends. He is currently a member of the New Tampa Sharks football league and the New Tampa Soccer Association. I am very proud of you son, keep up the great work.
Bella Gigante Junior Kid Vice President
Another life long Florida resident with over 8 years experience at being a cute little girl. She love all kids of animals including bugs and spiders. Her dream is to stay away from boys until she is 29. Bella currently plays for the New Tampa Soccer Association and was a member of the Hunter's Green Swim Team and Todd LeBlanc's "ShowKids." She also loves gymnastics, cheering, singing, dancing and performing.
Joe Ruscigno Executive Photographer, Photography Education
With the GPI team for almost two years, Joe is a New York native and a 15 year resident of Florida who left his job as an life long investment banker in hopes of pursuing excellence in "Photography." Joe has taken the on the role of third in command (my wife is second). He is currently in charge of training new photographers, expanding GPI's customer base and working with school's on a one to one basis. We apologize Boston fans, but he is still a nice guy.
Patrick Skipper Executive Photographer, Nature Coast Representative
The newest member of the GPI team, Patrick grew up in Hernando County, moved away for college, returned to teach and become the Yearbook Advisor for eight years at Hernando High School. His passion for photography has prompted him to join GPI. He will head the Nature Coast expansion which included Hernando, Citrus, Marion and a host of other counties North. Patrick has a wife and two boys and resides in rural Brooksville where there is not a lot of traffic! Look for him at a Nature Coast theater near you!!!
Reuben "The Baker" Bakker Executive Photographer
Reuben, with the GPI team since June 2006, born and raised in Australia until he was 11 years old, he moved from Texas, to Ohio, to Oregan and finally took root in Flolrida. He has been a professional photographer for over four years and has expanded from weddings and portraiture to school and sports photography. He has been married since he was 18 years old to a chick he met at a pizza shop. They currently live in St. Pete with their two kids. He is deathly afraid of drowning in a submarine off the coast of Florida, so you will not see him in the Navy or the Coast Guard any time soon.
Rosco "Rosco P. g...g...geh Coltrain" Ragbir Associate Photographer
Since we did not have anyone from a foreign country working with us, we searched long and hard...and finally found a Canadian, if you really consider them a foreign country. His parents have lived in Tampa for 11 years and decided to go back, but did not want to take their beloved son with him. So, out of the goodness of our hearts, we adopted Rosco. He's quite talented musically, electronically and photographically. We look to Rosco to become a strong member of the GPI Team, even if he is from Canada (just kidding for you hyper-sensitive people).
Kricki Henderson Customer Service Manager
She's baaaaaaack...after working with Paul when he worked for another photographer, she finally came to her senses and took a break to raise her family. Kricki, her husband Eddie and their children are longtime residents of New Tampa. After seeing her on a street corner with a "Will Work For Mininum Wage" sign, Paul, again, through the goodness of his heart decided to hire her to whip the office into shape. But, instead of mininum wage, she accepted our offer of being paid in Russian Rubles, three chickens a month and a 38 year old goat for transportation. We are so happy to have her back, that we had a party the day after she went on vacation. So, if you ever call the office and get an honery redhead with an attitude...that's Kricki.
Emily Jacobson Customer Service, Production, Photography Assistant
Emily is a tree hugger at heart! Save the earth, save the world...that's her motto! Actually, she is now attending the University of South Florida seeking a degree in Environmental Science, hence the tree hugger reference. Emily is prone to being pulled over and getting tickets for the dumbest things. So, the next time you see a cop with someone pulled over on Bruce B. Downs, it may be Emily. Because of her energy, sass and defiance...she will most likely be getting a ticket.
Wes "Rooster" Roos Associate Photographer
Wes is our yougest, and prepiest photographer. He is a 2002 graduate of Land O' Lakes High School and is currently attending the University of South Florida and Majoring in Architecture. He can be seen driving around campus in his tricked out BMW with a thumpin' sound system. Wes, along with Reuben, has a fear of drowning for some strange reason. He currently not married, engaged or seeing anyone steady.
Dan Saunders Executive Photographer, Engineer and Senior Lab Director
An 10 year Florida resident with over 15 years experience in professional sports photography, weddings and portraiture. His hobbies include four wheeling, his Yamaha R1 and hanging out with his friends. Dan is most unique in his ability to listen to others and possess a profound interest and respect of others.
Amy Saunders Professional Photographer, Engineer and Senior Lab Director
A professional photographer and wife of GPI's Executive Photographer with 15 years experience in digital photo labs, sports, weddings, portraiture, black and white and hand coloring. Amy is very much a pure heart. She is one who love nature, the sun, the moon and the stars and everything around it. Her life is centered around her husband, her mother, her cats and her newly found family of wild turkeys. Mmmm...what's for dinner this Thanksgiving Amy?
Ryan Nesler Customer Service, Production Assistant and Aspiring Photographer
Ryan is our youngest here at GPI. He is an incoming Freshman at Wharton High School and an outstanding swimmer for T-Bay and competitive baseball and football player. Ryan has a love for photography and just recently purchased his first professional SLR digital camera. Ryan's only fears are Irish people and ground hogs. You won't see him at any St. Patrick's celebrations, nor will you see him anywhere near Puxhatonee Phil. Kidding again, be sure to keep your eyes out for this up and coming all around great kid.
Richey "Richey Rich" Alarcon Professional Disc Jockey
A 18 year Florida resident with over 24 years experience as a Disc Jockey and Emcee. Richey has been a true friend for over 15 years and his hobbies include antique cars and his son. I am proud to be his son's godfather.
Phillip Ferrara, Sr. Retired Photographer and Senior Technical Advisor
A 26 year Florida resident with
over 17 years experience specializing
in portraiture, weddings and boudoir. Recently retired, he still
lend a helping hand when needed.
