One of Us

Toni Boudreaux-Godwin

Posted

Tell us about The Brumos Collection and what visitors can see there.

The Brumos Collection began as a private endeavor intended on showcasing both the cars and the men and women who worked tirelessly to push boundaries with the pursuit of bringing these incredible machines to life. Inventors, designers, engineers and drivers challenged the impossible to ultimately shape racing, mainstream automobiles and the cars of tomorrow.

Now, open to the public, it is our hope that the collection will create lasting memories and inspire a new generation to explore their interest in the past, present and future of the automotive industry.

As you enter the building you will notice the museum was designed to take guests through two unique experiences. The first section, what we call the Forerunners, features open cockpit racers and early automotive innovations, with the oldest being an 1894 Peugeot.

Besides the cars, there are engines, vintage racing equipment and drivers’ gear.

All the cars have digital kiosks that provide the car’s history, vintage photographs and details on the car.

The second area is the Frontrunners section which includes Porsche race cars from 1953 to 2017. The cases in this section are filled with legendary race trophies and awards spanning decades. There is a little bit of something for everyone to explore in the galleries.

As director of operations for The Brumos Collection, what are your responsibilities?

Considering the size of our staff, my counterpart and I try to tag-team on many of the responsibilities. But areas that I enjoy are community relations, working closely with vendors/partners, volunteer recruitment and training, along with managing events and, of course, the day-to-day operations and always staying focused on the mission.

The current pandemic has forced many visitor destinations to adapt in order to remain open. How has The Brumos Collection met this challenge?

We unfortunately closed after being open for only six weeks. However, the pandemic gave us the time to settle into our new space and really help us finalize procedures and fine-tune objectives for re-opening. We announced our re-opening for Jan. 21 and are thrilled to be able to welcome guests back to the Brumos Collection.

It is always interesting to learn how professionals make their way into unusual and very specialized careers. Can you tell us about your background and how you arrived at where you are today?

I have a bachelor’s in PR with a minor in art history and a master’s in public administration. I started my professional career working with nonprofits where I learned everything from development and member engagement to leadership, planning and event execution – all skills which led me to work for the SJC Chamber of Commerce, which introduced me to a unique and diverse business community. Both were stepping stones for the position I have now, which has allowed me to use my skill set to the fullest, and I’m very grateful for that.

How long have you lived in Ponte Vedra? Did you move here from somewhere else?

My father was military, which provided us the opportunity to move around quite a bit. I moved to Florida from Montana after working in Glacier National Park and earned my master’s at UNF. I have lived in Ponte Vedra Beach since 2012 and have loved every minute of it.

What do you like most about living here?

There are so many wonderful things about living in Ponte Vedra Beach. For a fairly small coastal community, we have it all. Great restaurants, sprawling beaches, Guana, my favorite yoga studio (Titanium Yoga), upscale lodging, world class golf and the best residents. (Can you tell I worked for the Chamber?)

In your spare time, do you have hobbies or volunteer opportunities that you enjoy?

I serve on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of PVB, Art with a Heart in Healthcare and the Advisory Board for the Communications Department at UNF.  In my free time, you can usually find my husband and I enjoying the beach, and when we aren’t – we love taking little trips to Jekyll Island and Savannah.