About Us

The Sons of the Beach of Volusia County (SOBs), Inc. is a grassroots organization dedicated to increase public awareness of matters concerning the management of our beaches, the protection of its marine wildlife habitat, and securing preservation of the traditional vehicular access to Atlantic Ocean Beach (henceforth referred to as 'the Beach'). Read more about our founding fathers here.

Meet The Board of Directors

Ken Smith

President

Ken's a Florida native and a lifelong resident of Volusia county, he is passionate about keeping our beach access available to everyone!

Paul Zimmerman

2nd Vice-President

Paul's grandparents honeymooned here in 1917 and his father, Frank, was born in Daytona Beach in 1921. Paul grew up in South Daytona, and between classes in school, he worked on the pool deck of the Castaway Beach Motel in the 1960s selling suntan lotion to the tourists. He eventually developed his trade as a General Contractor, but later Paul changed direction, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work from FSU. Since then he has devoted his life to working with kids in trouble, and today is a social worker on staff with Volusia County Schools. Paul’s love of the beach extends to his beautiful daughter, Jennifer who lives in New Smyrna Beach with her husband David and Paul's granddaughter, the equally beautiful Avery. From early protesting of ramp tolls for cars, Paul has never stopped his community involvement. Paul is the founder and current Vice-Chair of the Bellaire Community Group. An avid surfer for over 50 years, his love for the beach and its traditions are rooted firmly in his DNA.

Janet Meredith

Secretary

This bona fide beach bum was born and raised right here in Daytona Beach. Janet's number one passion is preserving our gorgeous beach and coastline. She is the SOB with the best tan! www.janetmeredith.net

Janice Smith

Treasurer

Janice is a beach lover, she is excited to be a part of an organization that is working os hard to preserve what is so important to our communitty

Richard 'Dick' Kane

Board Member

Richard 'Dick' Kane, a graduate of Duke University Law School has been a practicing attorney for over 50 years. He is an original member and former President of the SOBS. He began by picketing beach tolls in 1984 and continues to be active rendering advice and council and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Nancy Koenig

Board Member

Nancy Koenig is celebrating her 21st year operating Koenig Realty. She and her husband have been very involved in the Bellaire Community Group for the past 18 years, a group whose stated purpose remains "Keeping Quality of Life our Priority". They are staunch supporters of the Sons of the Beach.

Rich Yost

Board Member

Rich is an avid diver, exploring the world's waterways since he was 16. A married father of four he believes it is our responsibility to ensure the natural resources we all enjoy remain for his children and future grandchildren to enjoy.

Mike Denis

Board Member

Mike moved to Daytona Beach with his family in 1958. His family bought a home on Lenox Ave, which he and his wife, Judy, lived until 2020, when they moved to Ormond Beach. Mike attended Lenox Ave School, and then Seabreeze HS, where both he and his wife graduated in 1965. Mike was Student Body President. He went to college at General Motors Institute (now Kettering Univ, Flint MI) and obtained a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. He worked as an Engineer at General Motors, and then became a Software Consultant at Ross Systems. He started his own company, Denis Consulting, and is currently retired. Mike was President of his neighborhood association, SANA. Mike started getting involved in local politics when the first Hard Rock was eliminating the Lenox Ave Beach Approach.

Doug Pettit

Board Member

Doug Pettit is a 30 year resident of Florida and has lived in Volusia County for more than 15 years. Doug retired from the US Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 26 years, then became a teacher in Seminole and Volusia County for 15 years. Doug has a long history of association with waterways and beaches, starting with his family's home located on the banks of the Wicomico River in Maryland, extending to almost 20 years as a resident of San Diego, CA where he lived mostly along the beach and now to Florida. Doug and his wife Tamara, a Volusia County native, live beachside in Ormond Beach and want to preserve our beautiful beaches and their unique features for all to enjoy.

Our Founding Members

Founding Member

Gaulden Reed 1918-2007

Gaulden helped create the Sons of the Beaches to try and keep the beach toll-free. He was a Seabreeze High School graduate, served as a cadet in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and later was a licensed pilot. He was a general contractor for 46 years and served on the Beach Advisory Board for 20 years. During retirement he delivered Meals on Wheels for 18 years. He owned and operated the Ormond Pier and the Aloha Marina with his wife, Nancy. Gaulden helped create the Sons of the Beaches to try and keep the beach toll-free. In 1933 he was one of the first surfers on the East Coast of the U.S. and later was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Fame. He also was a long-time member of the Halifax Sailing Association. He helped bring catamaran sailing to the Daytona Beach area and founded the Hobie Fleet 80. He was a lifelong environmental activist. In the last few years he tirelessly worked to bring the dream of a butterfly conservatory to Manatee Island in the downtown area. He once said "Life is tenuous and when you are dead, you’re dead for a long time. God said go do it, do everything you can," Gaulden, builder of the Ormond Pier, claimed. He lived by his words and felt everyone should put on bathing suits and get in the water." We feel the same way.

Founding Member

Paul Wayne Ward 1936-2013

Wayne advocated for the public's right to access the beaches locally and state wide and founded the Sons of the Beaches. He moved to Florida in his youth and settled in Daytona Beach. He served the National Guards in North Carolina and Florida, was a Deacon at First Baptist Church and was honored as Young Man of the Year by the Daytona Beach Jaycees. He founded Tip Top Printing Company in 1961 which grew from a one man shop to one of the largest printing companies in Florida. Wayne was an active fisherman and after selling his business he became an avid sailor and Captain of the sailing sloop, "Irish Rover". He sailed to many ports in the Keys, Caribbean and Central and South America. Wayne was the kind of fighter for public action that often took not only his time, but his money as well. His committment to keep the beaches open to all with vehicle access was Wayne's deepest political cause. Through legal action and elections, he never stopped the fight.