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The company now is primarily involved in the processing of new and renewal applications for all types of retail alchoholic beverage sales permits and licenses, wholesale licenses and manufacturing licenses and permits issued by the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission). In addition, the company assists applicants with ancillary licenses such as:

Our Staff

Richard
Richard Wills
Executive Director

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Richard (Dick) Wills is the Executive Director of GFA (Gerald Franklin Licensing) Texas premiere liquor licensing service. GFA has been providing the liquor industry with quality licensing service since 1944. Dick is retired from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission as a Regional Supervisor of Licensing and Compliance. Prior to his TABC service Dick was a co-owner of a multi store retail operation where he worked for 22 years.

Dick obtained the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America before being Honorably Discharged from the Marines where he served at Marine Barracks Norfolk. Dick has his BS in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and attended Universities in Israel, England, and Mexico. Dick is a current Ex-Officio Director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and a former Ex-Officio Director of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association. Dick also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sea Scout Base Galveston.

Rhonda
Rhonda Williams
Director of Operations

Ms. Williams has over 20 years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry. She is responsible for planning and monitoring the day-to-day running of the business to ensure smooth progress. She works with the Executive Director to make decisions for operational activities and set strategic goals, supervise her team, and provide constructive feedback. She also processes original mixed beverage permits, wine & beer (on premise) permits, federal basic permits, & label approvals.

Deborah
Deborah K. Johnson
Client Service Specialist

After 35 years of service to the State of Texas, Mrs. Johnson retired from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and joined GFA in March 2006. Mrs. Johnson has a total of 48 years of experience in this industry. She does All classes of original applications, renewals, and bonds.

Angela
Angela Gurka
Receptionist/Client Service Specialist

Angela Gurka joined our team in August 2016, bringing 19 years of application experience with her. She assists in all application
processing and off premise renewals.

Chanya
Chanya Krisko (Noo)
Administrative Assistant

Ms. Krisko joined us in 2006 and is an administrative assistant.

She works with accounts payable and also assists with general clerical duties. She is also fluent in Thai.

Melanie
Melanie Herrera
Client Service Specialist
Melanie joined our team in November 2021. She is bilingual, and speaks both English and Spanish fluently. She is responsible for processing City of Houston & Harris County permits, bond renewals, original mixed beverage permits, wine & beer (on and off premise) licenses, and tobacco, lottery and food stamp applications, as well as temporary event permits.
Joshua
Joshua Lopez
Receptionist
Joshua joined our team in December of 2021, and is bilingual. He speaks both English and Spanish fluently. He is primarily responsible for greeting customers, answering the phones, scanning files into GFA’S database system and is responsible for mixed beverage invoicing & processing of mixed beverage renewals.
Jane
Jane O’Malley
Controller

Ms. O’Malley joined the company in 2015 as the controller for the company. Jane is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Craig
Colin Ryan
Agency Liaison / Runner

Colin delivers essential paperwork to government entities which include city, county and state offices.