Meet Lori Gullett
As a young girl, Lori Gullett was always fascinated by the ocean and the animals that call it home. She dreamed of becoming a marine biologist or veterinarian, working closely with these incredible and diverse creatures. As she grew older, her priorities shifted—graduating from college, building a career, getting married, and raising children took center stage. Still, her passion for working with animals never faded. Now that her children are grown with families of their own, Lori has found the time to reconnect with that lifelong passion.
In 2022, Lori joined Florida Oceanographic Society as a volunteer Citizen Science Seagrass Surveyor. When the program concluded in 2024, she eagerly stepped into new opportunities with both Florida Oceanographic Society and Treasure Coast Wildlife, doing whatever she can to support animal care and environmental awareness. Lori has contributed to seagrass matting, beach cleanups, animal care, and maintaining the stingray habitat. She carefully scrubs the tank walls and windows, ensuring a clean and healthy environment for the stingrays and fish. Through this work, she has come to appreciate the unique personalities of each ray. More recently, she has begun assisting with food preparation for the Animal Care team and also lends support in the seagrass nursery, where she helps maintain tanks so the grasses can grow and thrive.
Lori has donated more than 100 volunteer hours and truly loves her time at Florida Oceanographic. She shares, “The people here are so welcoming and amazing. It’s such a rewarding feeling knowing I’m helping others, whether it be people or animals. When I walk in on Monday mornings and am greeted by the excited splash of stingray fins, I know it’s going to be a good day.”
Before relocating to Florida, Lori and her husband spent nearly a decade working in and eventually owning a satellite business. They later expanded their interests by purchasing a shipping franchise, which they successfully operated for almost 20 years before selling it. In 2011, Lori furthered her career by earning her Kentucky real estate license. She quickly developed a passion for the field and, in 2016, obtained her Kentucky Real Estate Broker’s License, opening her own brokerage.
About four years ago, Lori and her husband relocated from Louisville, Kentucky, to Hutchinson Island—a place that has long held a special meaning for their family. Her parents purchased a condo here in the late 1990s, making it a beloved vacation destination for years. Today, that tradition continues, as Lori’s children now bring their own young families to the island. Lori and her husband made the move permanent, and while they still visit Kentucky often, Florida is now home.
Lori and her husband, Scott, will celebrate 34 years of marriage this August. Together, they have three wonderful children—EJ, Connor, and Darbi—and three beautiful grandchildren under the age of three: Beau, Liam, and Gigi. When they’re not enjoying time in Florida or with friends, they love traveling to visit their grandchildren, who have brought immense joy to their lives.
Lori also has a deep love for travel. This past year, she went on an African safari and cruised through the Panama Canal. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, biking, fishing, volunteering, being in nature, and spending quality time with her family.
Their middle child, Connor, was born with a severe disability. Raising and caring for him profoundly shaped Lori’s life and perspective, deepening her appreciation for the world and everything in it. Although they sadly lost Connor in 2019, his impact continues to inspire Lori’s compassion, her dedication to helping others, and her passion for advocating for animals.
SNAP SHOT:
BORN: Chicago, IL
COLLEGE: Graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Business Administration
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Loves to eat at Lures with friends. It has such a nice laid-back atmosphere and the fish is always so fresh!
RECENT BOOKS: On the recommendation of her son, she is currently reading Chaos - Charles Manson, the CIA, & the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill. She has always been a huge John Grisham fan and loves a good mystery book.
MOVIES, TV, STREAMING SERIES: Currently watching the medical drama, The Pitt, on HBOMax. Also enjoying the Mayor of Kingstown.
