Walter Gardner – “Big Red” (Founder / President)
Walt (Big Red) has enjoyed riding bikes for 36 years, during which time he organized a motorcycle club (now dissolved). Walt’s career has included being a High School Biology teacher and coach, a county elected official for 16 years and the owner of a successful insurance agency. He is also an alumnus of Citizens Academy of FBI, Jackson, MS. Most importantly he is a man who loves God, family and country in that order.
In 2013 and 2015 Walt rode with The Run For The Wall motorcycle run to commemorate the veterans of the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, while reflecting on RFTW mission, he googled to see if there were other motorcycle runs for similar missions. He found the “Trail of Tears” Run which commemorates the removal of Native Americans from the Southeastern USA. These missions prompted Walt to think about the escape of slaves through the “Underground Railroad” which motivated him to write a poem entitled “Who Will Ride For Them”?
This became the genesis for the “Underground Railraod Re-Run”. Walt says, “I will ride for them!” He hopes you will too. God Bless.
Gailya Porter – “Silver Belle” (Co-Founder, V. President)
Gailya Porter, a retired educator, is on the road again as a biker. She started riding during her young adult years and rode for about 10 years. Her experiences were extremely enjoyable, as she rode with about ten family members to various activities and events inside and outside of the state of Mississippi. Then, as life changes occurred, she had to discontinue motorcycle riding, knowing that in the future she would ride again.
While this interruption seemed forever, Gailya, now known as Silver Belle, is riding again. Riding now for 5 years has proven to be very rewarding to her. Just to name a few, she has traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, Run for the Wall (twice), GWRRA Wing Ding Rallies, and throughout the state of Mississippi.
Presently, Silver Belle’s goal is to complete the Underground Railroad Re-Run trip to Cincinnati.
Darryl Jordan (VP Atlanta Chapter)
Darryl Jordan (Big Red’s son-in-law) is married to Dr. Jennifer Gardner-Jordan (Big Red’s oldest daughter) and they have 2 sons. Darryl is a native of Charleston, SC and grew up in New York City.
He received a BS degree in Computer Science from Empire State College in New York and an EMBA from Drexel University. He works for a fortune 50 company and enjoys spending time with his family. Darryl developed a strong sense of devotion for the non-profit sector at an early age. He is currently the COO of The Boys’ Village organization and has served on many other boards, including Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Young Adult Association in NY, NY. These experiences along with his strong sense of logistics in Operations have given him an appreciation for the work that non-profits do and strategic ability to improve the lives of others. He truly has a heart and passion for service.
Amy Gardner (Secretary)
Amy, (Big Red’s daughter) although not a biker yet, enjoys riding (passenger) with friends and family whenever she can. Her passion and desire to bring awareness to such a significant part of our history and honor those who paid the ultimate price for freedom led her to embrace the mission of the UGRR.
She is a devoted member to her church and family and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
She enjoys opportunities to serve and uplift the community and looks forward to discovering her biker name in the journey!
Ron Love, Sr.
Ronald L Love Sr is currently an accredited Angel Investor with 20 plus years as an Accounting & Finance professional and Business Development executive. Ron’s entrepreneurial experience, instincts and clarity of vision led him to start and manage a bounteous number of moderately successful startups through rapid and continuous growth.
Ron is distinguished by his passion for business, his love for the community, his love for history and culture, his love for mentoring, and his love for philanthropy. Ron is an active Board Member of several Non-Profit Organizations.
Ron holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from Kennesaw State University’s Michael J Coles School of Business. He is currently the CEO and Co-Owner of EGOVEN LLC dba SnapWeave and holds an equity interest in numerous other companies.
Lexie Elmore
Lexie was born and spent most of her younger years in Gary, Indiana then moved to Chicago and now resides in MS. She received her education at Cortez Business College, Century 21 real estate school, and a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies.
She has one daughter, two grandchildren and one great granddaughter. These are the loves of her life.
She retired as a Pike County Supervisor where she felt honored that her constituents elected her for five terms. She is still very active currently working or serving in various positions: event planner for the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus, chaplain at Southwest Regional Medical Center, 3 term NAACP president in McComb, MS and serving on 3 Boards in addition to UGRR – Habitat for Humanity, P-16 Community Engagement Council and KARIOS-Outside Prison Ministry. She feels her work has been very productive and God has led her all the way. New Zion Baptist Church in Magnolia is her home church where she serves as executive pastor.
Mack Brown
Mack Brown is a retired Math Teacher and along with his wife, Alma, a business owner. He is a talented but modest musician and band leader. Although he plays more than one instrument, this writer believes the guitar is his specialty. He is a very active member of his church choir and plays for a gospel group.
Mack has been riding motorcycles since his early teen years and enjoys a good ride with his wife and often enjoys runs with Big Red.
Ottis Harrison – “Killer Dawg”
Ottis Harrison and founder, Walt Gardner, are long time friends who live in the same township and were active members of a motorcycle club in Mississippi several years ago.