Ron Bergeron was raised in South Florida, home to eight generations of his family where they lived and breathed a culture within the elements of nature. He grew up in the small Town of Davie with a population of approximately 500 where his parents owned and ran a small grocery store. “There were more places to tie your horse than park a car in front of his store. My parents expected respect, discipline, responsibility and kindness.”
Early Life
“My parents expected respect,
discipline, responsibility and kindness.”
Ron Bergeron was born in 1943 in New Orleans while visiting family. His parents along with Ron and his older brother returned back to Florida shortly after his birth. His mother’s family has deep roots in Florida, going back eight generations. The Bergeron family settled in Davie, a small town in the countryside outside of Fort Lauderdale, where his father built and ran a small grocery store while his mother worked as a waitress.
Bergeron’s grandfather, a game warden in the Everglades, often took young Ron on airboat tours of the tropical wetlands. “The whole thing fascinated me,” Bergeron recalls. “The landscape, the wildlife, the smell of nature, the sunsets—it just became a big part of my life. My grandfather introduced me to nature and taught me the importance of the environment and conservation.”
His grandfather also taught him how to wrestle alligators. “It’s a sport and I’ve been doing it for 50 years,” he says. “It’s part of my culture, part of being a Gladesman.” In 2006, Bergeron was wrestling an alligator when it put him in a death roll, dragging him to the bottom of the lake with his hand caught in its mouth. He survived the encounter but had to have a finger sewn back on, suffered several broken bones in two fingers, and received multiple stitches. The story made headlines across America, earning him the nickname Alligator Ron.
Today, Ron Bergeron and his wife, Ali Bergeron, proudly carry on the enduring legacy of his parents, consistently prioritizing family above all else. Their commitment to family values is evident in every aspect of their lives, from their personal relationships to their business endeavors.
- All Photos
- Community
- Conservation
- Everglades
- Family
- FWC
- Horatio Alger
- Land Development
- Python Challenge
- Rodeo
Career
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
At 18, he left home with $235.12 in his pocket and started clearing land with a machete, a rope and a 1954 Mercury truck. In 1965, he bought a 1943 Ford Ferguson tractor and Bergeron Land Development was launched. Business was booming and Bergeron Land Development would go from building driveways to building the I-595/I-75/Sawgrass Expressway interchange – at 550 acres, it was the largest interchange in Florida at the time.
Today, Bergeron is one of the most successful and largest site development, environmental, and civil construction contractors in Florida. Bergeron became well-known for his expertise in land reclamation and Everglades restoration. He championed responsible development practices that aimed to minimize the impact on the environment.
A natural-born entrepreneur, Bergeron’s empire would grow to more than 65 successful companies.
- All Photos
- Community
- Conservation
- Everglades
- Family
- FWC
- Horatio Alger
- Land Development
- Python Challenge
- Rodeo
Philanthropy
“Kindness is free.”
Beyond his business pursuits, Ron Bergeron became actively involved in public service. Appointed by two Florida Governors, he served as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. In 2019, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board.
As a philanthropist, Bergeron has made significant contributions to environmental causes. He has donated land for conservation, funded research initiatives, and supported educational programs that promote environmental awareness among young people. He also founded the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique ecosystem of the Everglades.
Ron & his wife Ali’s philanthropic activities extend to various organizations, including The Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, Wayne Huizenga Broward Partnership for the Homeless, the American Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Equine Therapies for Handicapped Children, Bit by Bit, The Old Davie School Historical Museum, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and the Nova Southeastern Entrepreneur Program, among many other charities. “Another thing I learned from my parents is to give back to your community and to remember and support your heritage,” says Bergeron. “I think it’s important to make a difference when and where you can.”
His professional success, philanthropic leadership, and his dedication to preserving the Everglades and protecting its wildlife has earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. A few prestigious awards and distinctions include being named a 2021 Power Leader in Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal, being elected to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Board of Directors in 2019, receiving the Excalibur Business Leader award by the Sun Sentinel, and being inducted into Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. class of 2018.
Ron is most proud of the awards that he and his wife Ali have received together. Among these awards are the President’s Award for Excellence in Community Service from NSU and the Rick Case Pinnacle Award. Named in honor of Rick’s exceptional leadership and passion for transforming young lives, this award is the highest volunteer accolade presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Voted on by Board Peers, it has been bestowed only 7 times since its inception in 1993. This prestigious recognition honors individuals who go above and beyond with their “Time, Talent, and Treasures” to ensure the success of thousands of youths, truly embodying pillars of the community.
