Two-year GAL member Michael De Luca completed an electronics engineering diploma at age thirty-five, then worked on fiberoptic laser transmission systems for eighteen years. On his 50th birthday, his eldest daughter, Elena, gave him a book on how to make an electric guitar, and he built guitars for both daughters as a legacy. He now makes carved archtop and custom electric guitars and winds his own pickups. In 2010, his younger daughter, Deanna, registered him for GAL membership as a surprise gift, and in 2011, his wife Luisa convinced him to attend the 2011 GAL Convention. He owes his family for the passion he now has for making guitars and for their continuous inspiration and support. He names his guitars using their initials; the letters of the DELM logo represent Deanna, Elena, Luisa, and Michael.

▪ bio current as of 2012