Ron Bergeron
{{Short description|American conservationist (born 1943)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ronald Bergeron Sr.
| image = Former FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|6|11}}
| birth_place = New Orleans, LA
| party = Republican
| boards = Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
South Florida Water Management District Governing Board
| website = https://alligatorronbergeron.com/
}}
Ronald "Alligator Ron" Bergeron Senior (born June 11, 1943) is an American conservationist, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known for his activism surrounding the protection of the Florida Everglades. He is the namesake of the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, Florida.
Early life
At a young age, Bergeron’s grandfather took him on an airboat ride in the Everglades for the first time, and taught him to wrestle alligators, which he credits with sparking his love for the outdoors and Florida wildlife conservation.{{Cite web |title=About Alligator Ron Bergeron - Learn more about Alligator Ron |url=https://alligatorronbergeron.com/about-alligator-ron/#early-life |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Alligator Ron Bergeron - Florida Everglades |language=en-US}}
At age eighteen, Bergeron left home with two hundred and thirty five dollars in his pocket.{{Cite web |title='Alligator Ron' Bergeron is the Florida man of Florida politicians |url=https://www.tampabay.com/environment/alligator-ron-bergeron-is-the-florida-man-of-florida-politicians-20190202/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} A year later, he began to compete professionally in rodeo, which he would continue for the next twenty years.{{Cite web |title=News & Announcements |url=https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/ronald-m-bergeron-sr/# |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Horatio Alger |language=en-US}}
Businesses
In 1965, Bergeron created his first business, Bergeron Land Development. In the next few years, the business would grow to over one hundred and fifty employees. Today, the company has one hundred and ninety employees.{{Cite web |title=Bergeron Land Development |url=https://www.ibuildamerica.com/members/bergeron-land-development/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-US}}
There are multiple other businesses under the Bergeron Family of Companies, including real estate, self storage, and waste management.{{Cite web |title=Bergeron Family {{!}} Commercial Real Estate Properties |url=https://bergeroninc.com/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Bergeron |language=en-US}}
Conservation efforts
Bergeron served two terms as a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissioner, appointed by both former Governor of Florida Rick Scott and current Governor Ron DeSantis. He currently serves as a member of the South Florida Water Management District Board.{{Cite web |title=Content {{!}} South Florida Water Management District |url=https://www.sfwmd.gov/who-we-are/ron-bergeron-sr-governing-board-member |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.sfwmd.gov |language=en}}
Bergeron strongly considered running for Governor of Florida in 2018, but dropped out early in the race to focus on wildlife protection.{{Cite web |last=Sr |first=Alligator Ron Bergeron |title=Florida Businessman and Everglades Conservationist Alligator Ron Bergeron, Sr. Will Not Run for Governor |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-businessman-and-everglades-conservationist-alligator-ron-bergeron-sr-will-not-run-for-governor-300655016.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
Bergeron spends time in the Everglades removing invasive Burmese pythons.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=Florida Man Captures 16-Foot Python and Nearly 50 Eggs Beneath Home |url=https://www.newsweek.com/florida-man-captures-16-foot-python-nearly-50-hatching-eggs-beneath-home-1448167 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}
Injury by alligator
In 2006, Bergeron suffered an injury to his hand after attempting to wrestle an alligator for the entertainment of guests visiting his nature preserve. The alligator rolled into to nearby water with Bergeron in tow where the two struggled before the guests helped to free him.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Tycoon Bitten by Gator at Preserve |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2006/05/05/tycoon-bitten-by-gator-at-preserve/25912770007/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Ledger |language=en-US}}