Before a shovel ever hit the ground to construct Children’s Harbor in Pembroke Pines, “Alligator” Ron Bergeron was there, paving the way to ensure the ambitious plan to create a home for this safe shelter to support teens in foster care. Originally, the area upon which Children’s Harbor now sits was meant to house a City of Pembroke Pines fire department, but Bergeron, who owned the land, stepped forward and offered to swap it for an adjacent parcel, so that both could be built. To commemorate that pivotal moment, Children’s Harbor presented Bergeron with the Beacon Award at the non-profit’s 11th Annual Harbor Lights Gala. Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar presented Bergeron with the award. “I thank Children’s Harbor for this recognition,” Bergeron said. “Children’s Harbor is a stellar organization that strengthens families and youth in our community. I am thrilled to have assisted them all those years ago in getting the land to create homes for foster youth so that they may grow into healthy, educated and productive adults.” Themed “Nash Bash,” the gala event was held at Bergeron’s Green Glades Ranch, where guests donned their most glamorous country and western apparel, hats, boots and baubles to enjoy dinner, cocktails, a ride on a mechanical bull and heel-kickin’ country and western hits from the Shane Duncan Band. “Children’s Harbor is honored to present our Beacon Award to Mr. Bergeron to recognize his many outstanding contributions as a dedicated philanthropist, visionary entrepreneur and unwavering advocate for the youth in our community,” Children’s Harbor President and CEO Tiffani Dhooge said. “We appreciate all of our sponsors and all of our guests that helped us raise $254,000 during the Nash Bash.” Nash Bash Gold Sponsors included: Cinch Home Services and Mahoney & Associates. Silver Sponsors were: M.A. Construction Group, MG & A Wealth, Palermo, Landsman & Ross, P.A., Rick Case Automotive Group, UKG and Christy & Jeff Brigman. Bronze Sponsors were Aetna, BankUnited, Beckett Realty, Centennial Bank, Holland & Knight, It’s a 10 Haircare, Marsh McLennan, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Mercer Health & Benefits, Miller Construction Company, Sandra & Peter Nori, AmericasFrontLine.com and the Ladies Executive Golf Society. About Children’s Harbor Established in 1996, Children’s Harbor is a nationally accredited non-profit agency with a mission to help strengthen families who are struggling in our community, while providing safe shelter and support to teens in foster care so that they may grow into healthy, educated and productive adults. With the belief that children should feel safe, that family is worth fighting for and that cycles can be broken, Children’s Harbor provides a harbor of hope and healing for children who have been impacted by the trauma of child abuse. The main campus in Pembroke Pines provides a supportive family environment for teenagers in foster care and their younger siblings. The family strengthening program prevents kids from coming into foster care by providing in-home counseling and support to families who are struggling in the community. Young adults aged 18-23 who have aged out of foster care are provided with housing and the wrap-around support and independent living programs necessary to help them overcome their trauma and navigate through the early stages of adulthood. Brown’s Harbor is a supportive housing community that offers on-site staff, training, and wrap-around support services for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system, ages 18-23, helping to bridge the gap from dependence to independence. Source: https://www.citybiz.co/article/533643/childrens-harbor-bestows-ron-bergeron-with-beacon-award/
Florida Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Ron Bergeron, Sr., voted to the Board of Directors, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
Bergeron, nicknamed “Alligator Ron”, is one of South Florida’s most well-respected businessmen. DAVIE, Fla., Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Florida entrepreneur and philanthropist Ron Bergeron, Sr. is now one of the newest members of the Board of Directors of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Along with other prominent CEOs and Corporate Chairmen, Bergeron has become part of a 76-Member Board that governs the Association. Bergeron was elected to the Board by the Association’s membership. His term begins immediately and will extend for four years, through the fall of 2023. As a Board member he is charged with guiding the Association in advancing its mission and ensuring the achievement of strategic goals. “Elected to the Board of Directors of Horatio Alger by my peers is another major achievement and milestone in my life,” says Bergeron. “In my role as a Board member, it allows me to continue my mission of philanthropy and giving back, helping to change the lives of young people across North America. It’s such an honor to have a leadership position in an organization that is tasked with providing scholarship assistance to deserving young people who have demonstrated integrity and determination in overcoming adversity.” In addition to Ron Bergeron, Sr. the Association’s new director class includes: Prior to his election to the Board, Bergeron was awarded the prestigious Horatio Alger award in 2018. The award is bestowed on those who have “demonstrated honesty, determination and a strong work ethic in their pursuit of personal and professional success.” Members have faced adversities, overcoming significant life challenges to achieve their success. The Horatio Alger Association is a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Philanthropy is in Ron Bergeron’s DNA. An ardent champion for the protection of the Everglades, he is active with the Everglades Coalition, an umbrella organization for conservation and sportsmen’s groups in South Florida and supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, the Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Equine Therapies for Handicapped Children, the Nova Entrepreneur Program and many other charities. Founder and CEO of Bergeron Land Development, Inc., Bergeron Family of Companies, and Bergeron Properties & Investment Corp., Ron Bergeron’s companies are recognized and respected across Florida. Bergeron Land Development is one of the state’s largest site development and roadway construction contractors. The Bergeron Family of Companies includes Bergeron Properties & Investment Corp., a real estate holding company, Bergeron Land Development and Bergeron Emergency Services, a disaster recovery business. In 2019 he was appointed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. He is also a former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner and founder of the Bergeron Everglades Museum & Wildlife Foundation. About Ron BergeronAffectionately nicknamed “Alligator Ron,” Bergeron rose from rags to riches through decades of hard work, a shining example that the American Dream is alive and well. He learned from his grandfather, a game warden in the Everglades, how to wrestle alligators as a young boy. After graduating high school and leaving home with just over $200 to his name, Bergeron took a job pumping gas. A few months later, he began working for his former Boy Scout Master, who allowed him to live in a home on his coconut plantation in exchange for help with grounds maintenance. Bergeron soon bought his first tractor, baling hay and harvesting fruit for his boss and several neighbors. Within a few years, he saved up enough money to create Bergeron Land Development, Inc; by the time he was 25, he had made his first million by investing in real estate, rock quarries and selling limestone. Today the Bergeron Family of Companies oversees a diverse and experienced team of land development, emergency services and real estate professionals. For more information about Ron Bergeron, please visit alligatorronbergeron.com. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2019, the Association awarded more than $21 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada, and also provided college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $143 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. Horatio Alger Members:Horatio Alger Members are part of a select group of individuals who have experienced a wide spectrum of what life can offer. Similar to characters in stories by Horatio Alger, Jr., they traditionally have started life in “humble” or economically challenging circumstances.
Governor Ron DeSantis appoints Ron Bergeron to South Florida Water Management District
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the appointment of Broward’s Ron Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District governing board at a press conference in the Everglades. Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article225254585.html#storylink=cpy Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article225254585.html#storylink=cpy
Conservation Activist and Philanthropist Ron Bergeron Honored During the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation 10th Anniversary Banquet
Conservation activist and philanthropist “Alligator” Ron Bergeron was honored during the 10th Anniversary Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Banquet to benefit ocean conservation. (L to R) Kait, Bob, Dona and Bobby Becker Bergeron was recognized for his ardent support in protecting the Everglades and our natural environment. The Horatio Alger Award recipient and Davie native oversees an empire of more than 60 successful companies, and his dedication to conserve all creatures extends to both the two- and four-legged kind. His love of Florida wildlife and understanding of their needs to be protected motivates him to budget half of his time to Everglades conservation. Sandy and Bob Moss “I am very honored and humbled by this very meaningful recognition,” said Bergeron, who has been appointed by two governors as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner. In fact, he was the former Point Commissioner over the entire Florida Everglades. Louisa Gibson, left, and Jessica Harvey selling raffle tickets to raise funds for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation “Guy Harvey is known worldwide for his marine conservation efforts, as he understands the integral balance between our waterways – from sawgrass to seagrass. Restoring the natural flow of the Everglades is the first step to long-term viability of both ecosystems,” said Bergeron. (L to R) Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., the Director of NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and a professor in NSU’s Halmos College; Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Board Member Rob Kornahrens, and Richard Paul-Hus Bergeron is also founder of the Bergeron Everglades Museum and Wildlife Foundation. He was honored as one of the four finalists for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation “2011 Conservationist of the Year.” Marty and Terri Cole “I have spent most of my life trying to save the Florida Everglades and will continue working with both the Bergeron Everglades Foundation and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to preserve this natural wonder of the world for future generations. You can’t save the ocean without saving the Everglades first,” Bergeron said. “More than eight million people rely on the Everglades for their drinking water, therefore it is a natural resource worth saving and restoring back to health. When we do that, we can also save Florida Bay and the Ocean which need clean water to thrive.” Thomas Palermo and Liza Fiore Palermo Hosted by world-renowned artist, scientist, conservationist and entrepreneur Dr. Guy Harvey, the banquet raised funds for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation which conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment. The Foundation also funds affiliated researchers working to better understand our ocean ecosystem and educators helping to foster the next era of marine conservationists. A traditional Bahamian Junkanoo band helped kick off the evening’s festivities “It was only fitting that we honor Alligator Ron this year. He is a transformational icon in our community, taking the lead on conservation issues,” said Dr. Harvey. “We cannot thank him enough for all that he has done for our environment. His passion, leadership and dedication is unparalleled and will help ensure that our natural resources will be here for many years to come.” During the banquet, guests enjoyed dinner, open bar, live musical entertainment, and a live and silent auction with original Guy Harvey artwork, exciting trips, including an NCL cruise, fishing trips with Dr. Harvey, ocean excursions, gift baskets, jewelry and unique gifts. A video chronicled the year in review highlighting various adventure expeditions and research findings from 2018. For more information on Guy Harvey and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, visit www.guyharvey.com. For more information on Bergeron’s conservation work, log onto www.alligatorronbergeron.com, www.savetheglades.org, www.facebook.com/alligatorronbergeron. About Guy Harvey Guy Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer, fiercely devoted to his family and his love of the sea. His childhood passion for the ocean and its living creatures not only inspired him to draw, but fueled a burning interest that prompted a formal education in marine science. Having graduated with honors in Marine Biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland in 1977, Guy returned home to Jamaica to resume his education, earning his Ph.D. from the University of the West Indies in 1984. Though he gave up a budding career as a marine biologist for that of a highly acclaimed artist, Guy has continued his relentless pursuit to unravel the mysteries of the sea, traveling the world to better understand the habits and habitats of the marine wildlife he paints. For more information, please visit www.guyharvey.com. Follow Guy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DrGuyHarvey, connect on Instagram at www.instagram.com/drguyharvey, and tune in to see Guy’s latest expeditions on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey. About the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment. The GHOF also funds affiliated researchers working to better understand our ocean ecosystem and educators helping to foster the next era of marine conservationists. The GHOF will help ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. www.GHOF.org Source: https://archive.citybuzz.co/article/515704/conservation-activist-and-philanthropist-ron-bergeron-honored-during-the-guy-harvey-ocean-foundation-10th-anniversary-banquet
‘Alligator Ron’ Bergeron named Excalibur top Large Business Leader for Broward
Read More : https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2018/05/16/alligator-ron-bergeron-named-excalibur-top-large-business-leader-for-broward/
