The King: Gerry Edward Pate was born in Los Angeles, California but came to Galveston at the age of 5 and attended Galveston public schools and graduated from Ball High School in 1959. He attended Lamar Tech (University) where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. Gerry started his early career in Denver and then returned to Houston where he worked for a consulting engineering firm. In 1970, he started his own engineering firm and grew it into a statewide company with offices in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. He sold Pate Engineers three years ago and started Pate Transportation Partners (PTP). Pate Transportation develops roadways for local governments all over the state of Texas.

He enjoys his work so much that he says "he will never retire" but beyond that he enjoys old movies, skiing, boating, and his bayhouse in Galveston. He has been married to former Krewe Queen Lois for 49 years and they have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren.

Gerry is looking forward to Mardi Gras and the spreading of goodwill and happy times that have made Galveston so famous for so many years. He has so many wonderful memories of Galveston and he is hopeful that it will recover, rebuild and be the "fun in the sun" spot that it has always been.

He and Lois have been members of the Krewe for five years and they have been Krewe sponsors for four years. The Krewe is like coming home to family -- so many of the members are high school friends and "if I didn't go to high school with them, I went to school with their siblings", Pate says. I love coming over the causeway and smelling the salt air -- it has so many memories and I know it is time to relax, have some friends come over, and take off in the boat!!

The Queen: Joy Bubendorf Korth - Joy and her husband Eric are high school sweethearts and have lived in Alvin all their lives. They became avid Mardi Gras fans in the early 90's and just had to become part of the action themselves. They joined the Krewe of Gambrinus with many of their family and friends in 1999 and have loved every minute of it.

Joy has been a member of the Royal Court serving as a Duchess for six years. This year was her lucky number "7" and when she found the baby in the King cake, all was confirmed!

Joy and Eric have been actively involved in the Krewe of Gambrinus serving as co-chairman of The Gathering parties held on the Strand the second weekend of Mardi Gras and co-float captains.

Joy is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Finance and earned her Masters of Business of Administration and Masters of HealthCare Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake. She loves working in healthcare administration for The Methodist Hospital.

Joy and Eric have a ten-year old daughter, Eleanor, and they love watching her excel in her studies, playing soccer, playing piano, and horseback riding. Joy definitely believes in getting involved and being an active role in all of their activities. Her Royal Highness invites everyone to see her at the parade on February 14, 2009 as the Krewe of Gambrinus Lights Up the Galveston Night. "I will be ready to throw you our best beads!"