ing from the lake

By Pamela A. Keene until his passing away from can- program. He has also been a long- About that time, Lanier Is- brother Howie Geib.”

After nearly 30 years of phi- cer in 2016.” term member of the board of di- lands’ Virgil and Mike Williams A graduate of Jacksonville lanthropy and in- Soon, Geib was asked to ex- rectors of the Marine Trade approached him about bringing University in Jacksonville, Fla., volvement at Lake pand his advisory role with Association of Metropolitan At- the marina’s new gas dock, ships’ he double majored in accounting Lanier, Barkley Lanier Partners. After several lanta, the sponsoring organization store and new covered 19-slip and management. It would serve Geib says he’s re- years on the organization’s board, for the Atlanta Boat Show each dock to the islands. “I’m so grate- him well. After graduation at the tiring from the he was elected president. He took January. “I think I’ve served in ful to the Williams family for al- advice of his uncle, Geib purlake. However, the reins with every bit of the en- every position in the Marine lowing me to stay in the business chased an office building and also those who know thusiasm and dedication he’s Trade Association,” he said with a by allowing me to bring my as- worked in the restaurant and enhim say they’ll believe it when Geib known for. Under his leadership, the group took over the organizasmile. In 2020, he received an honorary lifetime membership in sets to Lanier Islands,” he said. “That move was the pre-cursor to tertainment business. Because he wanted to be his they see it. tion of the Holiday Parade of the MTA for his service and lead- what’s now The Port of Indeci- own boss, the purchase of Lanier

Geib founded the Lanier Har- Lights each December until two ership. sion Marina at Margaritaville. Harbor provided several opportubor Poker Run in 1993, a success- years ago, when current organizer Marina and lake life When Margaritaville took over nities. It gave him a chance to furful 10-year event that drew Richard Pickering spearheaded Purchasing Lanier Harbor off the beach area, I was asked to ther support children’s charities boaters from across the US to the event. Buford Dam Road led to many stay and manage the marina through the Lanier Harbor raise money for children’s chari- After he purchased Lanier improvements at the business. For through the end of 2019.” World’s Largest Poker Run with ties starting in the mid-1990s. He Harbor Marina on the southwest one, it was the only marina on the In December 2020, Geib was children’s charities as the benefiretired the event in 2003. Geib side of the lake out of bankruptcy lake with a 24-hour gas dock. It named Grand Marshal of the Hol- ciaries. It allowed him to travel has always put others first. That’s in 1993, Geib championed causes also became home base for Tow- iday Parade of Lights, another on the powerboat racing circuit, why he received the Boys & Girls for youngsters through the McK- BoatUS Lake Lanier. Robert honor that reflects his involve- where he met a dentist/racer who Clubs’ Helping Hand Award in inney-Geib Foundation, where he Estrada, who owns the boating ment with Lake Lanier. had started Child Smile America. 2008. He continues to sit on the continues to serve as president. service franchise for Lake Lanier, Recently, he decided to step Geib worked with him to introorganization’s advisory board. Making generous donations to formerly worked for Geib at down as president of Lanier Part- duce youngsters to boating.

When the board of Lanier children’s charities, he helped Lanier Harbor. “Robert has al- ners. He will continue to serve on And, probably the most lasting Partners approached him to con- with programs of the Boys & ways been a close friend and I’m the board. benefit: he met his wife Dee, who sult on its Pirates of Lanier Poker Girls Clubs of Hall County, now proud of the success with Tow- Strong family values worked at the marina’s restaurant. Run in 2012, Geib agreed without Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, to BoatUS,” Geib said. Family life has always been “She was the prettiest waitress on hesitation. “First and foremost, introduce kids to boating as far In 2007, Geib planned to de- first for Geib. His mother died the staff when I met her, but it the event supports children’s back as the early 1990s. velop a condominium project at when he was 8, and his father re- wasn’t until she took a job as the charities and second, it involves His contributions to the lake Lanier Harbor when the economy married. But within five years, his marina’s bookkeeper that we got boating,” he said. “Actually, I include a stint in the early 2000s softened and lake levels were at father also passed away. “I’ve to know each other better and we also got involved because of Rea as a member of the Lake Lanier some of their lowest ever. As a re- never been without family and started dating,” he said. The story Williams, one of the founders of Association Board of Directors, sult, he abandoned the develop- grew up with a strong family sup- goes that he surprised her with a Lanier Partners and a driving heading the committee that initi- ment and eventually closed the port system, particularly from my proposal, by staging a fake rescue force behind the successful event ated the solar lights navigation marina. uncle Walker McKinney and my See Geib, page 46

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