Photo courtesy of Kali Norton Photography
The People Project:
Michelle Gallo
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | June 8, 2024
Meet Michelle Gallo!
Michelle was born in Baton Rouge, as the oldest of three children. She graduated from Grace King High School in 1979. She then went to Southeastern Louisiana University, and graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1984. Michelle worked in sales in the food industry for many years with companies like Oscar Meyer, Kraft to name a few. She then moved to The Daily Star and Child Advocacy Services. On the first day of lock down with COVID, she started her current position as the Executive Director with Tangi Crime Stoppers.
Michelle sits on many boards and is involved with the community. She is the incoming President of the Hammond Rotary Club, on the Advisory Committee for the desegregation case, TRACC Coalition, Tangipahoa Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, 2023-2024 President of Southeastern’s Alumni Board, and on the Hammond DDD Events Committee.
She has two children, Dylan and Sophia. She also has a 4 month old granddaughter, Denver Kate. Michelle is also the proud owner of two rescue pets, JJ and Junie.
We want to thank Michelle for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I was working as the Publisher of the Daily Star, and I received a call about an opening at Crime Stoppers. I love my job. I have a wonderful board of 15 great people that all contribute in unique ways.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love the Napoleon from Cena and the Gnarly Taco from Tacos and Beer.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Sailing. I learned when I was 10 years old with my dad on Lake Pontchartrain.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: The Greek Islands. Just to see the blueness of the water.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: Casablanca is my favorite movie. I know all the words to it. The first movie I saw in the theater was My Fair Lady with my grandmother.
Q: What was your first concert?
A: Led Zeppelin at the UNO Arena when I was 13 years old. My friend Sandy's mom took us!
Q: Do you have a favorite book?
A: Conversations with God. I love that book, it brought me back to God.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Remember to always be kind and do more for others.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love all kinds of music. My son is teaching me about rap, it really is like poetry. I would have loved to see Queen perform. That is my one musical regret- not seeing them.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Mariners and Brady's. They both opened during my first year of college, and we spent many late nights there.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: Steven Furtick. He is a pastor in North Carolina and is so motivating.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: That we are in between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The northshore is so close also. There is just so much to do and we can come back to our quiet area.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully gardening, teaching my granddaughter about great music.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That I use to write reality shows. I won first place in a writing competition for one of them and went to Los Angeles to pitch it to agents!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Peace.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A driver- I could get so much more done.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Mexican food, hands down.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to music and crank it up when a great song comes on.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was to Lacy Landrum. I gave her a piece of art that reminded me of her. The last gift I received was a trip to the Audubon Zoo from my son on Mother's Day.
Q: What are you known for?
A: For my involvement in the community and that I help connect people.
Q: What is your favorite musical era?
A: I love disco. I like the clothes, the hair, everything.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: To be able to teleport. To be able to go anywhere I wanted.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Listening to music, flower gardening, working in my yard, making yard art and writing.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The kissing face.
Q: What are you the most proud of?
A: My kids.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: A bottle of rum and a razor.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 4 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: Pay off all my family's debts, a beach house in the panhandle and an apartment in New York.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: For my friends to continue connecting people together.
Michelle nominated Samantha Spalitta
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
