SFWMD: DeSantis names Ron Bergeron to board; he's a Broward developer, environmentalist

Gov. Ron DeSantis named Broward County developer and former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Ron Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District Board Tuesday.

Bergeron, often called "Alligator Ron," is founder and CEO of the Bergeron Family of Cos., a business that includes interests in farming, road building, real estate development, waste management and disaster recovery.

Bergeron, who will fill a vacant seat representing Broward County that was formerly filled by Carlos Diaz, thanked DeSantis for making the environment a top priority during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s important to 8 million people, to our quality of life, that we save our environment," Bergeron said, "and it’s important to economic growth and jobs, because water is the most valuable thing on this planet.”

Bergeron said he plans to do a thorough review of Everglades projects conducted since 2000 to make sure they’re being conducted properly.

“If we can send someone to the moon in a rocket ship, we ought to be able to save our planet,” Bergeron said.

Environmental experience

DeSantis said Bergeron can serve as a leader for the SFWMD board because of his experience working with state and federal officials on environmental issues. He served as an FWC commissioner from 2007 to 2017.

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast applauded the appointment in a statement Tuesday, saying he “understands the complexities of restoration better than almost anybody.”

More: Gov. Ron DeSantis environmental budget offers $625M for water projects

“He has a proven track record of not taking crap from anyone in his pursuit of doing what is best for the Everglades," Mast said, adding that's "a perspective that is sorely needed on a board that for far too long has operated without any transparency and prioritized special interests above the people of Florida.”

Bergeron is known for introducing politicians to the Everglades during their campaigns. He advised DeSantis on environmental issues during his bid for governor.

Bergeron explored, but decided against, running for governor last year, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

DeSantis said Bergeron, who owns one of the largest development and roadway contracting companies in the state, will do a conflict review with his attorneys to make sure he’s not voting on projects that could financially benefit him.

"Ron Bergeron obviously knows a tremendous amount about the state's water system, especially south of Lake Okeechobee," said Kimberly Mitchell, executive director of the Everglades Trust. "They'll both be a great addition to a new and improved board, a board that wants to get Everglades restoration accomplished."

DeSantis and the new board "won't be cowed" by special interests, Mitchell said, particularly the sugar industry and "other corporations that have collaborated to keep the system working their way for far too long. Those days are over."

Bergeron "is an absolute expert on the Everglades," said Lisa Interlandi, executive director of the Everglades Law Center. "I look forward to him serving on the district board."

Colorful history

Bergeron left home at age 13, according to his website (alligatorronbergeron.com), "with $235.12 in his pocket and started clearing land with a machete, a rope and a 1954 Mercury truck to drag off the trees."

He started his first business, Bergeron Land Development, in 1965 when he bought a 1943 Ford Ferguson tractor to clear land.

Bergeron served on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for 10 years, appointed first by Gov. Charlie Crist and reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott.

"Our resources should be managed and respected," Bergeron wrote on his website, "but we also must have adequate access so future generations can fall in love with our natural environment and protect it forever. ... Folks need to be out in it and learn to respect and preserve it for their future generations."

Almost always seen wearing a cowboy hat, Bergeron competed in professional rodeos for over 30 years. He lives on a ranch in western Broward County.

Bergeron is known to many as "Alligator Ron" because he wrestled alligators until 2006, when he suffered two broken fingers and severe cuts on one of his hands.

More governor actions

This was DeSantis' second SFWMD board appointment Tuesday. DeSantis announced Chauncey Goss' appointment in an earlier news conference in Naples.

More: Who is Chauncey Goss?

More: Goss promises more transparency on SFWMD

The appointments come after DeSantis asked all SFWMD board members to resign immediately in a Jan. 10 news conference in Stuart.



More: Will DeSantis suspend SFWMD board who won't resign?

DeSantis Tuesday also announced his recommended budget for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and said he has asked President Donald Trump to tell the Army Corps of Engineers to keep Lake Okeechobee's water level lower during the dry winter season to help curb discharges that cause toxic algal blooms.

More: DeSantis to Trump: Make Army Corps keep Lake O lower