Wedding Party
Robbie Gill
Groom
Chris Simmons
Groom
Padmini Jambulapati
Best Woman
Padmini and Robbie met in Las Vegas as Teach For America Corps members in 2006. They became friends as they worked to survive Las Vegas and their first years of teaching. They joined forces again in 2016 to open and lead KIPP Prime College Preparatory in Houston. They remain close friends through travel, weekend adventures, and cherished daily text chats!
Sean Simmons
Best Man
Chris's younger brother, partner in crime, and best friend for life. He claims to have graduated from the University of Houston with a 4.0 GPA, but that's still under investigation...
Jessica Cerda
Groomswoman
Robbie and Jessica met when Jessica interviewed to be a founding math teacher at KIPP Prime College Preparatory in 2016. It was a clear no-brainer for Robbie to ask Jessica to join the team. Thankfully she did! Jessica is an amazing educator, and a phenomenal person and friend.
Adam Kassam
Groomsman
Chris met Adam in the entrepreneurship program at UH. They have remained such good friends that not a day goes by that Chris doesn’t receive multiple text messages or DMs from Adam…literally. No like seriously, someone please take his phone away.
Richard Chang
Groomsman
Robbie and Richard met in 2002 at the University of Florida. Richard took Robbie under his wing and tried to expose Robbie to more culture through monthly "Culture Robbie Nights". A tall task to achieve in Gainesville, but luckily Robbie was a pretty blank slate. Thankfully some of that stuck and Robbie went to Las Vegas slightly more prepared for what was ahead...
Santiago Macedo
Groomsman
Chris met Santiago in the entrepreneurship program at UH. They bonded over being the youngest students in the class and have stayed in touch and become good friends through their mutual close friend, Adam (groomsman).
Braniff Davis
Groomsman
Robbie and Braniff met in Las Vegas through Padmini. Through the years Braniff has delighted many with his culinary excellence. Literally everything Braniff makes is delicious. Additionally, Braniff is one of the nicest humans you will ever meet. Chris and Robbie love their monthly weekend hang outs with Braniff and Padmini.
Monaca McMillian
Groomswoman
Monaca has worked for the Simmons family of companies for over 20 years. The most unlikely of close friends (Monaca first met Chris when he was about 9 years old and she a working adult), Monaca has been a true mentor to Chris in work and in life since he joined the companies after college. Both adults now, Monaca and Chris have turned out to be kindred spirits and share stories, conversations and laughs at the office almost everyday.
Richie Gill
Groomsman
Robbie’s younger brother, Rich is an accomplished IT administrator and family man. If you have any computer issues while at the wedding, I’m sure he’ll help you out. And probably won’t even charge you THAT much…
Adeline Mohr
Groomswoman
Adeline and Chris met as classmates at Cy-Creek High School in NW Houston. After graduation, they both attended the University of Houston for college where they fostered a lifelong friendship. She is like the sister he never had.
Robert Kauffman
Groomsman
Robbie and Robert met at the University of Florida in 2002 when Robbie moved into Riker Hall. As the new freshman in the mostly sophomore dorm, Robert helped Robbie figure out life as a new gator and survive his college years... maybe they became such great friends because they share the same (best) name?
Jon Mohr
Groomsman
Chris met Jon through Jon’s girlfriend at the time and now wife, Adeline (groomswoman). He is a self-proclaimed frat boy and beer pong enthusiast for life.
Caela Sause
Groomswoman
Robbie and Caela both grew up in Punta Gorda. It’s not entirely clear when they met, but there is evidence of them being in a lot of the same places as early as the mid to late-90s. Historians may debate this for ages. Despite the early times, they have managed to stay friends for many years as evidenced by the yearly Facebook posts of their Christmas-time lunches.
James Wilson
Groomsman
James is another of Chris’s entrepreneurship classmates; however, they weren’t properly introduced until a few years later through Adam and Santiago. After bonding as travel companions on trips to visit Adam in Charlotte, NC and to see a Formula 1 race in Austin, TX, they became friends and continue to stay in touch.
Violet McCoy
Mother of the Groom
Robbie’s mom is a constant supporter and model of perseverance. Her unconditional love is felt through all she does.
James Simmons
Father of the Groom
Chris’s father and role model and hard-working entrepreneur (didn’t think this word would show up 4 times on this page lol). His love and support throughout the years has meant the world.
Bobby Gill
Father of the Groom
Robbie’s dad had a big heart and an even bigger sense of humor. Some of Robbie’s favorite memories with his dad were trips to Apopka, FL to pick up plants for the nursery and the occasional new pet (puppies, chickens, peacocks). Mr. Gill definitely brought joy to his family and friends. He is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Janet Simmons
Mother of the Groom
Chris’s mother was the personification of grace, strength and generosity. Her unconditional love for her family was boundless, and she is loved and cherished by all who knew her. Mrs. Simmons unfortunately passed away in 2021, but her beautiful spirit lives on and will be watching the ceremony from above.
Meyla Hooker
Officiant
Robbie met Meyla in 2011 when they were both working at KIPP high schools in Houston. They became friends over many Texas teas, family dinners and movie dates. Over the years, Meyla has become a close friend of both Robbie and Chris and they are honored to have her officiate their wedding ceremony.