Our Team
Members of Gilstad Literacy Foundation’s Board and Management Team have participated in numerous opportunities from these same organizations to learn about strategic planning, fundraising, and financial sustainability.
This knowledge is providing for ongoing growth in all aspects of the organization. These groups have also provided grants supporting the CCIL program.
Board of Directors
Dr. Dennis Gilstad
Chairman of the Board,
Gilstad Enterprises, LLC
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In September 2021, Dr. Dennis J. Gilstad co-founded the Gilstad Literacy Foundation alongside his husband, Shawn Gilstad, to steward the Charlotte County Imagination Library—an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—serving preschool children throughout Charlotte County, Florida.
Before relocating to Charlotte County in 2008, Dr. Gilstad held leadership roles across numerous professional and community organizations.
His distinguished career began in the accounting and data processing departments at Union Pacific Railroad headquarters, ultimately leading to his role as co-owner and president of the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railroad. He also founded the Financial Corporation of Michigan, an umbrella for FCM, Land, Gilstad Enterprises LLC, and FCM Rail LTD. In 2007, Dr. Gilstad established a college in railroad management at
Michigan State University—an innovative curriculum that continues to educate future railroad leaders.
Dr. Gilstad has long combined his passion for business with a dedication to community service.
As a member of the Omaha Jaycees, he held multiple leadership positions, including director and vice president. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he served as head coach, president, and general manager of the Detroit Express professional soccer team that won the 1982 National Championship.
His philanthropic legacy spans decades. He served for eight years as finance director of the Michigan State Board of the Special Olympics and is a founder at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach Florida. Dr. Gilstad has funded mission trips, built churches, established global Bible study programs, and financed college 22 students’ college tuition.
He remains an active supporter of numerous nonprofit initiatives in Charlotte County.
Dr. Gilstad holds a Doctorate in Humanities/Humanistic Studies from Baker College of Flint. He was commissioned by the Kentucky Governor of the prestigious Kentucky Colonel honor and is a retired Master of Foxhounds in Greenville County, South Carolina.
Reflecting on his lifelong commitment to literacy, Dr. Gilstad states, “None of my life’s accomplishments would have been possible without a strong foundation in literacy at an early age.” He is also the author of Brick by Brick: How to Establish Christianity in Your Local YMCA, written for the YMCA and sent to every location worldwide as a guide to Christian engagement.
Dr. Gilstad is devoted to his family, which includes his husband, Shawn Gilstad, five children, seven grandchildren, and his beloved dogs.
Shawn Gilstad
President and CCIL Founder,
Gilstad Enterprises, LLC
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Shawn Gilstad is the founder of the Charlotte County Imagination Library and co-founder of the Gilstad Literacy Foundation, two initiatives that have brought the joy of reading to thousands of children across Southwest Florida. A proud East Tennessee native, Shawn grew up in a large Southern family where he was deeply inspired by his grandmother, Mamaw Susie—a brilliant
woman who, despite limited literacy, shaped his enduring passion for reading and education.
Her legacy lives on in Shawn’s unwavering commitment to childhood literacy.
After relocating to Charlotte County in 2009, Shawn opened his first business, Shawn and
Company Salon, later reimagined as The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad—a local landmark housed in the fully restored historic Purple House of Punta Gorda. While running a successful salon, Shawn also laid the foundation for what would become one of Charlotte County’s most impactful literacy programs.
In 2011, Shawn began working to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to local families,
officially launching the Charlotte County Imagination Library in partnership with Sherrie Moody of Charlotte Players, Inc. Over the next decade, the program flourished—delivering over 200,000 books to children in the region. With support from community leaders including Lee Swift, Dr. Douglas Whittaker and Dr. Christine Zimmer, the program established its first strategic plan and advisory council, setting a blueprint for long-term success.
To ensure the sustainability and growth of local literacy initiatives, Shawn and his husband, Dr. Dennis J. Gilstad, co-founded the Gilstad Literacy Foundation in 2021. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and official affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Foundation continues to expand educational access and book delivery throughout Charlotte County. Shawn credits the program’s success to the dedication of volunteers, generous donors, and the
support of organizations like Charlotte Players.
Together, they’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to empower the next generation with the tools to thrive. Through his leadership and vision, Shawn Gilstad has transformed a deeply personal mission into a thriving community legacy—proving that one person’s dream can put books in the hands of thousands.
Blair Lovejoy
WestchesterGold and Diamonds
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Blair Lovejoy settled in Punta Gorda in 1992, where she raised all her children who were educated in Charlotte County Public Schools. She is a Gemologist (GIA) and Sales Manager with Westchester Gold and Diamonds.
Blair is very community minded! In addition to the Gilstad Literacy Foundation, which she joined in 2021, she has been a supporter of the Charlotte County Imagination Library program for many years. She serves on the boards of several other community nonprofits. She loves reading and understands the power of a good book as the gateway to imagination, exploration and creativity. This proud grandmother of 5 reads to all her grandchildren!
John LeClair
Treasurer, Charlotte County
School Board Member
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John LeClair arrived in Charlotte County with his family in 1976. He attended Port Charlotte Junior High and graduated from Charlotte High School. From there, he served for 4 years in the U. S. Marine Corps. He returned to Charlotte County and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of South Florida, and later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Beginning his professional educator career as a teacher at Deep Creek Elementary, John also served in various roles at Port Charlotte High, Meadow Park Elementary and retired as Principal at Port Charlotte Middle School after 32 years with Charlotte County Public Schools. John is currently in his first term as a member of the Charlotte County School Board from District 4.
John’s family includes his wife Jennifer, one daughter, Erin, who lives in Winter Haven with her husband, James, and 2 children, Josie and Carson. He also has 3 stepsons. Dylan serves in the Air Force and is stationed at Tyndall Air Force base with his wife, Maddie. Devyn works and lives in Tampa with his wife, Hannah, and 2-year-old son, Rowan. Derek just graduated from Indiana University after kicking for the Hoosiers during their record-breaking football season.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Gilstad Literacy Foundation since 2022, John serves on the boards of several other nonprofit organizations in Charlotte County. When asked about why early childhood literacy is important to him, John stated “Education has been and still is a passion for me so I understand the importance of early childhood literacy. Research shows and proves that students who are read to and are taught the importance of reading at an early age are far more successful when they begin kindergarten. Charlotte County Imagination Library gives families the tools and books to begin that journey with their children at an early age.”
Bob Bedford
Director, Charlotte County Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent
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Bob Bedford moved to Charlotte County with his family in 1972 from Florida’s east coast. He attended Charlotte County Public Schools and returned as a teacher after graduating from the University of Florida.
Currently, in his role as the Assistant Superintendent for Learning, he oversees educational programs and initiatives related to student learning for the school district.
Bob and his wife, Dawn, also an educator, share two daughters who attended Charlotte County Public Schools also.
In 2023, Bob brought his educational expertise to the Gilstad Literacy Foundation as a Director. He believes that “early childhood literac sets the stage for learning and education. It’s foundational for student success during school years and after.”
Frank Desguin
Director, Retired Charlotte
County Property Appraiser
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Frank Desguin is a multi-generational resident of Charlotte County who graduated from Charlotte High School and Florida State University. He took post-graduate courses in property appraisal, assessment, administration and tangible personal property while working for the Charlotte County Property Appraiser’s Office beginning in 1974. In 1996 he was elected Property Appraiser and served the community in that role until his retirement in 2012.
Frank strongly believes in community service and has been involved in the Charlotte County Imagination Library since its inception in 2011. His other service memberships include the Charlotte County Historical Society (current president), Kiwanis Club of Punta Gorda, YMCA Men’s Club, and Lemon Bay Conservancy. He is a past president of the Charlotte County Historical Society and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Punta Gorda.
Desguin and his wife, Teresa, have four children, Lori, Jason, Adam and Jake, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Justin Gerow
Director,
Simplicity Group
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Justin Gerow moved to Charlotte County with his family in 1990. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1996 and Duke University in 2000.
In 2005, Justin, an independent financial consultant and insurance professional, and his wife Katrin, a pilates instructor, returned to Punta Gorda. They have two children. Their son Dominik is 21 and attends Florida State University. Their daughter Helena is 17 and attends FSW Collegiate High School; she plans to attend university next year in Europe. Winter, a 10-year-old West Highland Terrier, completes their family.
Justin joined the Gilstad Literacy Foundation as a director during its inaugural year and has been instrumental in helping the Foundation meet financial goals. He is active in other community organizations. Justin serves as vice-chairman of the Punta Gorda Firefighters Pension Board and vice-president of Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County.
When asked about the importance of early literacy, he states: “Early childhood literacy is incredibly important because it forms the foundation for successful children who grow up into successful adults. My mother and father constantly read to my sister and me when we were very young and that absolutely set us on a path to success later in life.”
Sherrie Moody
Director, Charlotte Players,
Executive Director
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Sherrie M. Moody has been the Executive Director of the Charlotte Players, a community theater organization in Port Charlotte, Florida, since January 2006. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its outreach and strengthened community partnerships.
Notably, in 2011, she collaborated with local salon owner Shawn Gilstad to launch the Charlotte County Imagination Library, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s program that provides free books to children under five.
Mrs. Moody’s educational credits include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Goshen College.
Sherrie moved to Port Charlotte in 1979 with her husband, Michael. They have three grown children residing in Los Angeles, Denver, and Brooklyn, NY. She would like to believe that her dedication to the arts, literacy and community development has enriched the cultural and education landscape of Southwest Florida.
Paul Polk
Director, Charlotte County
Property Appraiser
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Paul Polk, a fifth generation Charlotte County native, can trace his southwest Florida roots back to the 1800s. Paul attended Charlotte County public schools and graduated from Charlotte High School. In addition to his Associate of Arts degree from Edison Community College, Paul has a vast list of licenses, certificates and designations related to property appraisal, administration and evaluation.
Paul has been involved with the Charlotte County Imagination Library since its inception in 2011. He is also a member of the Port Charlotte Sunrise Kiwanis Club and the Charlotte County Historical Society.
He began his professional appraisal career working as a residential fee appraiser in 1986. Paul was elected Charlotte County Property Appraiser in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term. Paul and his wife Vicki, a retired schoolteacher, have been married for 34 years and have an adult son.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Teresa Desguin
Managing Director
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Teresa Desguin arrived in Punta Gorda in the mid-1990s from south-central Michigan and shared her marketing talents with iHeart Media for 25 years before retiring in 2022.
It was in that role that she met Shawn Gilstad and helped him launch the Charlotte County Imagination Library program in December 2011. Passionately committed to her husband Frank, children, grandchildren and the rest of her family, she is also a strong supporter of local charitable and nonprofit organizations.
Teresa serves on the boards of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Society. She served as President of Charlotte County Meals on Wheels for many years, retiring from that role in 2024.
She joined the Gilstad Literacy Foundation as a volunteer Managing Director of the Charlotte County Imagination Library program in September 2024.
Dr. Christine Zimmer
Executive Director, Emeritus
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Dr. Christine Zimmer first learned about the Charlotte County Imagination Library (CCIL)
program in March 2012, the same month that the first books were mailed to the original
26 children enrolled in the CCIL program. By June, she was a volunteer and member of
the CCIL Advisory Council. With a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the
University of Sarasota (now Argosy University) Chris was a district administrator for
Charlotte County Public Schools, writing and managing federal grant programs. Prior to
that role she was a middle and high school teacher, dean, assistant principal and
principal in multiple secondary schools in Charlotte and Lee Counties. Dr. Zimmer used
her leadership, management and communications skills to help the CCIL program
increase enrollment, donations and sponsorships for the program. In the Spring of
2021, CCIL founder Shawn Gilstad convinced her to become the first Executive Director
of the Charlotte County Imagination Library. When Gilstad Literacy Foundation was
established in September 2021, Dr. Zimmer was named Executive Director of both the
foundation and the program. As Dr. Zimmer is preparing to retire in Fall 2025, the CCIL
program has already served more than 9,200 Charlotte County preschool children with
over 230,000 free books!
Gaylin Morris
Executive Director
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Gaylin Morris is a multi-generational Charlotte Countian and professional educator who is passionate about literacy and lifelong learning, community partnerships and empowering parents to nurture their young children so they can learn to love reading.
She holds degrees and certifications from Manatee Junior College, Barry University, Edison Community College Educator Preparation Institute, and multiple Florida Professional Educator Certifications. During her tenure with Charlotte County Public Schools,
Gaylin taught and held leadership roles at elementary and middle schools, and served as the District Curriculum and Instructional Specialist K-12 Science /STEM. Gaylin also served as Children’s Minister at First United Methodist Church and in several roles at Sprint.
Her community involvement includes volunteering with Virginia B. Andes Clinic, Girls on the Run, American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, Hibiscus Festival, and Military Heritage Museum STEM Camps.
She is a 2001 graduate of the Leadership Charlotte class of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.
Lori Wagner
Executive Assistant
