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Ron Bergeron: From Seagrass to Sawgrass – It’s All Important

In The News
December 31, 2019

Ron Bergeron: From Seagrass to Sawgrass – It’s All Important

By Nicole Anderson, Airboating Magazine

December 2019

The shallow sheet water flows through the marshlands deep in the heart of the Everglades. Alligators appear just below the waterline waiting for their next meal. Snail kites, Blue Herons, and a menagerie of other birds flit hither and fro as an airboat roars across the water. True Gladesman understand what the heart of the Everglades looked like many years ago. Before the levy’s, before the pumps, before the floods, and the mercy kills of 82.’

As a young boy, about two or three years old, Ron Bergeron asked his grandpa, Lonnie P. Harvey, to take him out in the boat one day. He wanted to see where his grandpa went every day. He wanted to see why he went. Why he loved the Everglades and the landscape that was home to his family so much.

Much to Bergeron’s surprise, his grandpa said yes. At such a young age it is surprising that he remembers with such clarity the beauty of God’s landscaping, the wildlife everywhere, and the sunsets. To this very day, he is convinced that had his grandpa not taken him out on the boat that he wouldn’t be the man he is today; and he certainly wouldn’t have such a deep abiding love for the great outdoors and all that call it home.

He fell in love with the environment and as he grew, the landscape changed and not always for the better. He wanted it to prosper. He wanted it to be truly wild. The way he remembered it to be. Bergeron tells stories of the Lost City that his grandfather, Harvey had discovered in 1946 and how his grandmother had sewn the fabric on the wings of their old J3 Cub airplane. It was his grandfather who taught Bergeron to love the land and it wasn’t long after this love affair began that he realized he needed his own transportation.

Bergeron bought his first airboat when he was 16 years old. He figured that if there was a heaven on earth the Everglades had to be it and he needed a way to meander deeper into the mangroves. He wanted to explore and discover all that he could. It wasn’t long before he left his home with just a few hundred dollars in his pocket and now, a millionaire developer, Bergeron was appointed to the Florida Conservation Commission in 2007 and early on became known as ‘Alligator Ron,’ the Florida man of Florida politicians after an incident of wrestling an alligator on an outing in the Glades.

Bergeron, a former rodeo champion of 20 years, python hunter, alligator wrestler, and now the wildlife commissioner certainly isn’t a wallflower and after ten years serving on the Conservation Commission opportunity came knocking on his door once again. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the South Florida Water Management District early in 2019 and his duties, to protect over 16 counties and waterways from Orlando to Key West. Over 1,500,000 acre-feet of natural sheet water flow through this area from St. Lucie to the Atlantic.

This is the first time that a state agency has entered into an agreement as large as the new Everglades Restoration project. Bergeron believes it may just be the largest restoration project in the world and while many people may not understand fully why that hugs swampland at the tip of Florida is important, Bergeron does. The Everglades isn’t just any swamp, it literally replenishes the aquifer for drinking water for millions of people. 8.7 million to be exact, who live in the 16 counties this program protects, not to mention the 1 ½ million people who visit southern Florida annually.

Like it or not, Florida’s economy is tied to tourism which is tied to water quality and therefore, tied to the Everglades. People come from all over the world to visit Florida and they expect to have clean drinking water and plenty of it to play in. Afterall, welcome to the fishing and boating capital of the world.

“Gov. DeSantis is a true champion of the environment and I applaud his leadership as well as his role in the restoration project in the Everglades,” said Bergeron as I asked what it was like to work with the new Governor. Both men believe that the work to restore the Everglades is important. “His commitment to the protection and restoration of the Everglades is unmatched and I think he will be a tremendous leader for South Florida,”[1] DeSantis said in a statement announcing Bergeron’s appointment.

Bergeron is one of those guys who worked hard his entire life and created an incredible legacy from the ground up. His hope? Sustainable access and enjoyment of the Everglades for future generations to come. “We should recognize our footprint on the Earth and simply be good stewards. We should take care of God’s landscaping and surroundings. By doing this, we will impact ourselves. For better or for worse,” Bergeron said as he explained his love of the Gladesman culture and the need for humanity to have a plan. After all, you don’t protect what you don’t love, and you don’t love what you don’t understand.

With rising sea levels, the possibility of floods, and a higher propensity for storms, Bergeron and his team are looking at various models to adjust flood control and water supplies in order to rebuild and restore the Everglades so that hopefully, it remains wild. Bergeron’s dream is that “God blesses me to stay here long enough that we can save the Glades. Long live the Everglades. From seagrass to sawgrass it’s all-important.”

Aleida (Ali) Bergeron

Vice President, Executive Committee, Board of Directors

Ali Bergeron emigrated from Cuba in 1959. She grew up in Coral Gables and has lived in Broward County since 1982 where she attended law school at Nova Southeastern University. She has two children, Jackie and Steven, who are both lawyers and practicing law in Ali’s firm.

Ali has been practicing law in Ft. Lauderdale since 1985. She has served on numerous boards. She served as chairperson of the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women and co-chaired the Broward County School Board Desegregation Task Force. She also served on the board of the United Way, Hispanic Unity, and Broward House. She served on the executive board of Broward Partnership for the Homeless and helped raise the money to build a homeless center in Fort Lauderdale that would assist residents to find housing and employment opportunities with a goal of becoming self-sufficient. To date, 35,000 individuals and families have successfully become self-sufficient.

In 1994, Ali was appointed by Governor Chiles as the first woman to sit on the Florida Boxing Commission and was later reappointed by Governor Jeb Bush.

Ali considers one of her most significant accomplishments the comprehensive report generated for the Broward County School Board to bring educational equity to the school system. The report made recommendations that removed educational barriers based on race. It promoted equitable policies that provided all children with equal educational opportunities regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.

In addition, Ali along with her husband, Ron Bergeron, support many organizations including The Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, the Arthritis Foundation, In Jacob’s Shoes, Bit by Bit, Humane Society of Broward County, the Crohns and Colitis Foundation, Covenant House, Project Stable, Florida Children’s First, Crime Stoppers, the Zoological Society of Miami, American Heart Association, Broward County School Board Brace Scholarships, American Cancer Society, Nova Southeastern University and Junior Achievement. Ali is passionate about education, Florida’s environment, wildlife, fishing, and horses.

Diamond Bergeron

Vice President, Executive Committee, Board of Directors

Diamond Bergeron is a 6th generation Floridian who has spent her entire life in the heart of the swamp. Her deep love for the environment and its wildlife, and her desire to protect it, were inspired by her father “Alligator” Ron from a very young age. Her childhood was spent in the seat of an airboat, on the back of a horse, and under the crown of centuries old Cypress trees.

While a third-year student at the University of Miami, Diamond made a bold move to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in music. In the midst of writing songs, she completed her senior year at Belmont University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration.

With the intent to continue pursuing her musical aspirations, Diamond felt pulled by her deep-seated roots to return home and immerse herself in the advocacy of Everglades restoration and conservation. As she has said, “I came home because I knew that music would always be there—but the Everglades may not be. Right now, it needs my voice much more than a song does.”

Diamond currently serves as the Vice President of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation and as a board member of the Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, one of America’s oldest and most successful conservation organizations. She also serves on the board and acts as secretary for the Alligator Ron Bergeron Everglades Museum, a project that is in development and aims to celebrate and preserve the environmental legacy of the Everglades and wild Florida. Through her unwavering commitment to community engagement, outreach, and the cultivation of a new generation of conservationists, Diamond continues to champion the preservation of her natural heritage, ensuring that the majesty of the Everglades thrives for all to cherish and protect in perpetuity.

Ken Strauss

Treasurer, Executive Committee

For more than 40 years, Ken Strauss has been a guiding force in tax consulting, estate planning, and financial advisory for entrepreneurs and business owners. Throughout his extensive career, he has been instrumental in steering clients through the complexities of their business journeys, providing invaluable support from the initial corporate structuring to meticulous succession planning. Ken’s expertise goes beyond conventional tax consulting, making him a trusted advisor for both founders and second-generation owners.

A significant aspect of Ken’s practice revolves around estate planning and crafting personalized financial strategies. Working closely with the firm’s affiliate, Provenance Wealth Advisors, he ensures clients benefit from a comprehensive approach to income, estate, financial, and investment planning. Ken focuses on serving individuals and entrepreneurs, corporate executives, professional service firms, high-net-worth individuals, real estate ventures, and family businesses. His dedication to excellence is evident through his active participation in professional affiliations, such as his role as Past Chairman, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accounts, as well as on the Governing Council and Financial Literacy Task Force at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ken’s commitment extends to the community, where he has served as the past treasurer and a board member for the Jewish Federation of Broward. Additionally, he contributes to the Take Stock in Children – Broward Chapter Board of Directors. Ken earned his Master of Science in Taxation from Florida International University and his Bachelor of Science from Boston University, showcasing his unwavering commitment to ongoing education and expertise in his field. With a rich history of leadership and a diverse skill set, Ken Strauss continues to be a cornerstone in the fields of tax and financial planning.

Lonnie Bergeron

Secretary, Executive Committee, Board of Directors

Lonnie Bergeron has an extensive background in land development, having worked on both commercial and residential projects such as the Bergeron Park of Commerce and Industry and many of South Florida’s residential housing developments. Lonnie is a Certified General Contractor and Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor, as well as a Licensed Qualifier for Bergeron Land Development. Lonnie has worked on highway projects such as the Sawgrass Expressway and I-595. He also has experience in the telecommunications industry, the mining industry, and municipal solid waste disposal and recycling.

Lonnie heads many of the fifty-four companies operating under the umbrella of the Bergeron Family of Companies. The Bergeron Family of Companies has contributed to numerous charitable causes throughout their nearly 60 years in business. Additionally, Lonnie donates his time to Everglades Restoration projects, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the YMCA Y-Princesses and Y-Guides programs.

Lonnie resides in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Tori, and their two children, Savannah and Wyatt.

Savannah Bergeron

Board of Directors

Savannah Bergeron is a recent graduate of Harvard Law School. During her time in law school, she spent two years working for the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, where she advocated on behalf of endangered species, such as the West Indian Manatee, and other wildlife. Savannah also served as Academic Chair for First Class, a first-generation college student affinity group, and was an Article Editor and Student Note Author for the Harvard Environmental Law Review, where she published a Student Note on the Food and Drug Administration’s compliance with major federal environmental laws. Previously, she was also the Director of Community Development for the Harvard Law Entrepreneurship Project, a student practice organization that gives legal assistance to local start-ups, and served on the Submissions Committee for the Journal of Law and Technology.

Prior to law school, Savannah graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Business Administration.

Savannah also has experience working in an environmental law practice group and plans to work in environmental law after graduation and after being admitted to the Florida Bar. Savannah cares deeply about Everglades conservation and restoration and is honored to bring her academic insights and life experience as a Gladeswoman to the board.

Kali Parrish

Board of Directors

Kali Parrish is the executive assistant to “Alligator” Ron Bergeron. She brings over 15 years of experience specializing in administrative leadership, office, and project management. Kali manages all correspondence and affairs related to Mr. Bergeron and his affiliations. Her role extends beyond typical administrative duties; she actively contributes as a board member of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation and serves as the key liaison for projects coordinated with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

Dedicated to community service, Kali is a vital committee member of the annual “Ranch Roam” fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County and plays a significant role in the “Sawgrass to Seagrass” educational initiative with the Guy Harvey Foundation. Her commitment to conservation and education reflects her deep-rooted passion for the natural world.

A proud native Floridian, Kali’s love for the outdoors and horses is profound. She has volunteered as the Sponsorship Coordinator for the Davie Rodeo Association’s Youth Summer Series. When not orchestrating events behind the scenes, Kali competes in rodeos alongside her daughter, sharing her love for equestrian sports and nature.

Jaz McKibbon

Field Operations Specialist & Naturalist

Jaz McKibben is a naturalist who specializes in documenting wildlife and their habitats for conservation purposes. In both terrestrial and underwater settings, Jaz believes in using imagery as a storytelling tool to highlight the challenges faced by endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems. With the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Jaz assisted with the implementation and management of a remote camera trap grid to monitor the populations and behavior of wildlife inhabiting the Big Cypress, such as the Florida panther, Black bear, American alligator, and more. As part of the BEF team, she transformed raw camera trap data into conservation-inspired media to support the preservation efforts of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation. During her free time, she can be found diving Florida’s vast underwater cave systems and exploring her favorite swamps.

Matthew Parrish

Lead Guide and Principal Navigator

Matthew Parrish stands as the Lead Guide and Principal Navigator at the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, where he masterfully blends his extensive knowledge of natural landscapes with expert navigation skills. In his role, Matthew orchestrates every expedition with precision, ensuring both safety and success while delving into the heart of the Everglades. His deep understanding of the region’s ecology and his strategic approach make him an invaluable asset in advancing the Foundation’s mission to preserve and enhance this vital ecosystem. Whether charting new paths or guiding critical projects, Matthew’s expertise ensures a steady course towards achieving the Foundation’s goals.

Luis Felipe

Multimedia Production Specialist

Luis Felipe, a TV Producer/Director/Cameraman/Editor, founded VTM Productions, Inc. in the early 1990s. With over 30 years in the industry, he has won numerous awards for his work on TV shows, documentaries, and travel programs. He won the 2001 Miami Fest Award for “Dimelo Cantando,” a series that aired on PBS and the South America Travel Channel. In 2002, his work for WLRN earned him several TV awards, including Telly Awards for “All in The Same Boat” and “Discovery South Florida.” His series “Weird Florida” also won a Telly Award. His wildlife series for WLRN won an Emmy for “Florida Panther.”

Luis Felipe’s documentary work includes directing photography for the Emmy-nominated “Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade,” producing the Emmy-nominated “The Aviators Journal,” and working on the Emmy-winning “Frecuencia” with Emilio Estefan. His 2008 PBS show “Simply Ming” was National Emmy-nominated, and he received a NETA Award in 2009 for a breast cancer documentary.

In recent years, he won Emmys for “Peru’s Desert Penguins” (2019), “Troubled Waters: A Turtle’s Tale” (2020), and “Plastic People” (2020). He also completed a social justice documentary that won seven film festivals. Luis Felipe is currently collaborating on the Florida Everglades restoration with Alligator Ron Bergeron and producing global travel shows with Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Kristen Licthman

Administrative Assistant at Bergeron Everglades Foundation & Museum

Kristen Lichtman is a proud Florida native with a deep-rooted passion for the natural beauty and unique ecosystems of her home state. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Kristen has harnessed her educational background to fuel her commitment to environmental conservation. Her love for the outdoors and travel has taken her on numerous adventures, allowing her to experience and appreciate diverse landscapes and cultures. Yet, her heart remains closely tied to the Everglades, a cherished treasure of Florida. Kristen is dedicated to making a tangible impact in preserving and restoring this vital wetland, working tirelessly to ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at its splendor.

Through her advocacy and efforts, Kristen Lichtman strives to make a meaningful difference in safeguarding the Everglades, blending her academic knowledge with her personal passion for the environment.

Brenden Hojara

Marketing

Brenden Hojara, a native of South Florida, has always had a deep connection to the natural world, a bond that was nurtured from a young age by his grandfather, the renowned conservationist Alligator Ron Bergeron. It was in the heart of the Everglades, under his grandfather’s guidance, that Brenden first discovered his love for nature and the great outdoors. This early exposure to Florida’s unique ecosystems ignited a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship and a profound appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation.

As he grew, Brenden carried this passion with him, making it a central part of his life and identity. Now a father, he is dedicated to passing on his love for the natural world to his children, teaching them the importance of respecting and preserving the environment. Brenden believes that instilling these values in the next generation is essential to ensuring that the natural wonders he cherishes are protected for years to come.

Professionally, Brenden is the driving force behind his successful Digital Media & Software Company. Despite the demands of his business, he remains committed to maintaining a balanced life, one that allows him to stay connected to the outdoors. When he isn’t in the office, Brenden can often be found hiking through lush trails, biking across scenic landscapes, or simply exploring the vast and varied wilderness that South Florida has to offer.

Brenden Hojara’s life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to nature, family, and faith. Whether in his professional endeavors or personal pursuits, he continually strives to honor the legacy of his grandfather while carving out his own path as a steward of the environment and a loving father.