Taylor Madden
President
Taylor (she/hers) is a born-and-raised St. Louisian. She has always loved the Tower Grove South neighborhood for its diversity of cultures, walkable tree-lined streets, and of course, Tower Grove Park. Her professional background includes community outreach, coordinating volunteers, grants administration, and leading collaborative teams. You can regularly find Taylor at our neighborhood coffee shops and at the Tower Grove Farmers Market!
Email: president@tgsna.org
Byron Gilman-Hernandez
Vice President
Hailing originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Byron (he/him) first moved to St. Louis in 2015 to attend Saint Louis University's PhD program in English. He first moved to Tower Grove South as a renter, then purchased a home on Tholozan in 2020, where he resides with his wife, Karisa, and two cats. Byron currently teaches English at SLU and can frequently be found at coffee shops or the Carpenter Branch Library grading papers.
Email: vp@tgsna.org
Hannah Davis-Westerman
Corresponding Secretary
Hannah bought her first home with her husband in Tower Grove South in 2021. She has lived in various areas around St. Louis since moving here with her family in 2006 but TGS is by far her favorite! She works in content strategy and member experience at a healthcare company. She likes helping tell important stories and getting to know what an audience needs. When not working, Hannah enjoys playing games with friends, cooking new recipes (especially with ingredients from the Tower Grove Farmer's Market), and walking her dog, Gadget, around the neighborhood/park.
Jack Hoerchler
Recording Secretary
Jack moved to St. Louis in 2018 and to TGS in 2021. He enjoys running around the neighborhood and frequenting the coffee shops on South Grand and on Morgan Ford. He's also restoring a historic duplex on Utah Street, and looks forward to helping more people to enjoy all of the positive aspects of TGS.
Email: jack.hoerchler@tgsna.org
Tom Davis-Westerman
Treasurer
Tom has lived in Saint Louis City since 2015 and on Connecticut Street in Tower Grove South since 2021, along with his wife Hannah and their pets (dog Gadget and cat Miss Fisher). He works as a statistician in the health care field and may enjoy spreadsheets a little too much. Tom can usually be found walking around the neighborhood, enjoying the farmers market and other events in the park, or reading a good book.
Email: treasurer@tgsna.org
Adam Seale
NE Quadrant Director
Adam has lived in Tower Grove South since October 2021 on the 3700 block of Hartford Street. He moved from Indiana with his Wife Kim, 2 of his 4 children (William and Charlotte), 3 dogs (Sven, Asher, and George), and their cat (Tom). His family fell in love with the City and Tower Grove specifically and bought their “forever home”. Professionally, he is a senior manager in the life science consulting industry with 25+ years of experience assisting and guiding organisations on their path for growth. Outside of work, he is a keen cook always wanting to try new cuisines and recipes, an avid STL City SC and Chelsea fan, Xbox player, and motorcycle rider.
Email: adam.seale@tgsna.org
Rukiya Anthony
NE Quadrant Director
Rukiya was raised in Tower Grove South and moved back in 2022. She remembers when Gustine Market was a corner store that sold penny candy and fifty cent pickles. Rukiya loves taking walks around the neighborhood and Tower Grove Park. One of her favorite parts about living in the neighborhood is the comradery. In her free time she enjoys listening to podcast, reading books, and grabbing a delicious cocktail.
Email: rukiyaanthony@gmail.com
Adam Mizes
NW Quadrant Director
Adam has lived in Tower Grove South since 2017 with his wife and their two cats. He is an engineer at a large equipment manufacturer. He and his wife were drawn to the neighborhood because of the park and the many local establishments within easy walking distance. In his free time, he can often be found toting home bags full of produce from the Tower Grove Farmer's Market, watching his favorite soccer team at Amsterdam Tavern, or riding his bicycle.
Email: adam.mizes@tgsna.org
Dan Pearson
NW Quadrant Director
Dan has lived in St. Louis since 2010 and in Tower Grove South since 2012. He was involved with the initial formation of the Tower Grove South Neighborhood Association and participatory budgeting process. Dan listens to way too many podcasts and he never misses an opportunity to extol the beauty and benefits of native plants. Dan is committed to helping the neighborhood become more equitable, sustainable and walkable.
Email: dan.pearson@tgsna.org
Brian Barlay
SE Quadrant Director
Brian Barlay, is a native of Sierra Leone and he has been living in St. Louis for over a decade now. He is a small business owner who strives to enhance cultural adaptation and engagement for immigrants and facilitates opportunities for young professionals abroad to contribute to our workforce. In addition, Brian is a social scientist and a servant leader by heart, his leadership style focuses on the root problem and seeking out collaborative paths to enact structural solutions and responsive engagement. Brian is excited to work with the board and neighbors to develop a concrete blueprint for Immigrants, young professionals and elders in Tower Grove South.
Email: brian.barlay@tgsna.org
Jim Mayer
SE Quadrant Director
Jim is a southeast quadrant director who has lived in TGS since 2008. Currently Jim, Angela, and their cat call the 3800 block of McDonald home. Past president of the St Louis Triathlon club Jim has a passion for fitness and the outdoors. He is also the education director of a global dental imaging manufacturer. His past experiences, both personal and professional, have taught him to listen to the needs and concerns of others. He has joined TGSNA to be a service to others, provide opportunities for neighbors to connect, and promote neighborhood well-being.
Email: jim.mayer@tgsna.org
Karen Strombach
SW Quadrant Director
Karen has been a TGS resident since 2016, currently residing with an aloof tuxedo cat on the 4100 block of Parker Ave. She retired in 2020 from Saint Louis Children’s Hospital after a twenty-nine year career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Karen appreciates Saint Louis and all it has to offer: friends, food, festivals, and fun! Karen can be found volunteering at The City Sewing Room several days a week. She rarely refuses an invitation for coffee or conversation about Tower Grove South, container gardening, sewing, leaky basements, or any other topic of the day.
Email: karenss5755@yahoo.com
Karisa Gilman-Hernandez
SW Quadrant Director
As the Executive Director of Dutchtown South Community Corporation and the 15th Ward Committeewoman, Karisa has a long history of advocating for safe and ethical neighborhoods that live by their values. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Karisa moved to St. Louis in 2015 and then to Tower Grove South three years later. Besides her work, she’s an avid cyclist, practitioner of the circus arts, and fan of Regency Era romance novels. She currently lives on Tholozan Avenue with her husband and two cats.
Email: karisah1989@gmail.com
The Tower Grove South Neighborhood Association Serves the entire Tower Grove South Neighborhood’s geographic region. To ensure representation from across the neighborhood, at least two board members (“Quadrant Directors”) are elected from each quadrant: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.
