Meet the President

Introducing Texas State Gear Head President Paden Albin

Photo by: Philip Bridges, Albin with his Trans Am.

by Philip Bridges

San Marcos- Long time car fanatic Paden Albin takes pride as the group's president that organizes a sanctuary for students to show off their pride and joy, and geek out about all things cars.  

Texas State junior Paden Albin's fascination with cars started when he watched his father bring a 1967 El Camino back to life when he was a child. When he was sixteen, he got an old truck and through working on that he learned the basics of mechanics. Albin is a down in trenches Gearhead, but sees the organization for all students with an enthusiasm for cars to hang out and be themselves. 

“I think the biggest thing for me is just the camaraderie you know,” said Albin. “Getting the like mindedness of all the car guys together, we all enjoy the same thing.”

Albin describes that the group plays into a larger community aspect. To be an official member you have to be a student or alumni, but the weekly car meets welcome anyone. Albin said that amongst the group there is a friendly competitiveness and willingness to help other fellow Gearheads.

“Everyone helps each other out,” said Albin. "I have had several [instances of] help from all the Gearheads in repairing this thing [Trans Am] and I have helped other Gearheads repairing stuff."

Albin described the best times being apart of the group are the annual cruises, BBQs, working together on cars and the overall likemindedness of the community itself. Albin emphasized that Texas State will always have a place for Gearsheads with this organization no matter how big or small it gets. 

“People make friends working on cars together,” Albin said. “The group rises and falls… as far as the group in itself there will always be a group of core members.”

Albin runs both the Facebook pages that the Gearheads use. One is exclusively for students and the other is for organizing the weekly meets across San Marcos. Albin talked about how the Gearheads are the only car group in the San Marcos area that do weekly public car meets. With Albin at the wheel this organization shows no signs of slowing down. 

"It's a group of car friends and a place for student to hang out you know, its is a place to fit in,” said Albin.  

The Texas State Gearheads will continue to embrace the combination of speed, design and passion that makes a car, a car.