Gary Peters Family Foundation

Who is Gary Peters?

After 40 year career on Wall Street, Gary retired as Executive Vice President of LaSalle Bank, where he had founded the Broker-Dealer Services Division (BDSD), a national wholesale distributor of fixed-income securities and equity-linked investments.

Pursuing a childhood interest Gary entered and won a small Monopoly tournament in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1987, Gary’s love of the game paid off when that win qualified him to represent Florida in his first Monopoly championship. At this tournament, held in Washington DC, fifty representatives one from each state, played for the national title which he won.

Having won the national title, Gary was then invited to represent the United States in the 1988 World Monopoly Tournament which was held in London with 32 countries competing. In 1991, he successfully defended his national title by winning his second Monopoly Championship. Shortly after the win he earned the distinction of being the first person in-ducted into the newly created Monopoly Hall of Fame in recognition of his two national titles and his charitable work hosting Monopoly events.

“I am so proud that the recognition that came from playing Monopoly competitively has given me the ability to raise funds for Sheridan House Family Ministries, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, a number of local schools as well as Boca Helping Hands here in Florida,” says Gary.

Pushed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 to consider hunger and poverty issues in our area, Gary Peters became a member of the Board of Directors of Boca Helping Hands, and then President of the Board shortly thereafter. Under his guidance and oversight, Boca Helping Hands has expanded its programs, and in 2010, moved into a brand new, 16,000 square foot facility. The Remillard Family Resource Center, home to Boca Helping Hands has truly become the crown jewel in the social service network in South Palm Beach County.

In addition to his unwavering support of Boca Helping Hands, Gary Peters continues to offer his generosity and leadership to Vanderbilt University, Saint Andrew’s School of Boca Raton, The Wayne Barton Study Center, Firewall Ministries, 4Kids Foster Care Program, and since 2008 as a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the Saint Andrews School.

Gary is married to Cecilia Peters and is the proud father of five children, five grandchildren.