Meet our founder, Alligator Ron Bergeron

Ronald Bergeron Sr., better known as Alligator Ron Bergeron, was born on June 11, 1944, in South Florida, home to eight generations of his family. 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.

Growing up, Bergeron honed his skills as an outdoorsman, becoming an expert in hunting and fishing. He earned the nickname Alligator Ron after gaining recognition as an alligator wrestler on television programs and at events, raising awareness about alligators and the need for their conservation.

A true cowboy at heart, Ron Bergeron has competed in professional rodeo for 30+ years. In 1984, he qualified for the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. To this day you can find him roping every Wednesday night at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds which was named after his family to honor the contributions the family has made to the Town of Davie.

A true gladesman, Bergeron was introduced to the beauty and the wonder of the Everglades by his parents and grandparents. His eyes and mind were captivated by the natural flow of the river of grass, the abundance of wildlife, and the Seminole/Miccosukee Indians. Eventually, flood control and drainage projects led to land development, drastically changing the unique ecosystem forever. These experiences laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to conservation.

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 40 successful companies.

Beyond his business pursuits, Bergeron became actively involved in public service. He served as a commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from 1999 to 2007, where he advocated for sustainable wildlife management and habitat protection. In 2019, Florida Governor appointed Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District’s board of directors.

As a philanthropist, Bergeron has made significant contributions to environmental causes. He has donated land for conservation purposes, funded research initiatives, and supported educational programs that promote environmental awareness among young people. In 2004, he founded the Bergeron Everglades Foundation.

He is personally responsible for raising millions of dollars for organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida as well as countless other nonprofit organizations.

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.

For more information, please visit www.AlligatorRonBergeron.com.