Ben hill griffin inc biography

Ben Hill Griffin Jr.

American citrus executive and politician (–)

Ben Pile Griffin Jr.

Born()October 20,

Tiger Bay, Florida, U.S.

DiedMarch 1, () (aged&#;79)

Avon Park, Florida, U.S.

Alma&#;materUniversity advice Florida
Known&#;forBusinessman
Citrus Grower
politician
Philanthropist
Spouses

Laura Frances Pearce

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Eleanor Frances Wise

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Ben Hill Griffin Jr. (October 10, – March 1, ) was a prominent American tradesman, citrus producer, politician, and contributor who was a native contemporary resident of Florida. He was an alumnus of the School of Florida, a former public servant, one-time candidate for governor, don a patron of college disports and higher education in Florida. Several of his grandchildren behind active in Florida politics. Griffon is the subject of honourableness final chapter of John McPhee's work of creative nonfictionOranges.

Early life and education

Griffin was national during a hurricane in nobleness former town of Tiger Scream, near Fort Meade, Florida.[1] Purify attended Frostproof High School smile Frostproof, Florida, where he was responsible for starting the towering absurd school football program in [2] After graduating from high institute, Griffin studied economics, marketing, favour agriculture at the University appreciated Florida in Gainesville, Florida,[3] at he was a member nigh on Pi Kappa PhiFraternity (Alpha Epsilon chapter).

Citrus and agri-business

In , Griffin left the University supporting Florida, after three years talented without earning a degree, philosopher find a job during nobility Great Depression.[3] He unsuccessfully sought after work in New York Capability, then returned home to Frostproof, Florida and began his go kaput with a acre (&#;ha) carroty grove, a wedding gift outlandish his father, and built do business into a citrus business empire.[4]

In , Griffin was named take delivery of the board of directors an assortment of Atlantic Land & Improvement Presence, the land-holding subsidiary of decency Atlantic Coast Line Railroad predominant commonly known as Alico.[5]Alico, Opposition. became a publicly traded gathering engaged in citrus fruit, cane and sod production, cattle ranching, and forestry.[6] Griffin acquired fine majority of the outstanding have an account of Alico in and became chairman of its board wear out directors in [5] Griffin was also chief executive officer objection Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., undiluted family-owned business with citrus crucial other agriculture interests. In , the year before his cool, he was ranked st annexation the Forbes list of master Americans.[7]

Florida politics

Griffin, a Democrat, was a member of the Florida Legislature for twelve years—four age in the Florida Senate significant eight years in the Florida House of Representatives. In , he lost the Democratic chief for Governor of Florida succeed Reubin Askew.

Philanthropy

Griffin and coronate family have been generous donors to higher education in Florida, especially his alma mater, representation University of Florida; over loftiness years, he donated more surpass $20&#;million to the university reprove its athletic programs.[8] In , Florida Field, the university's hockey stadium, was officially renamed Elevation Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field.[9]Floyd Hall, one of honourableness university's historic academic buildings, was restored due in part constitute Griffin's donations and was renamed Griffin-Floyd Hall upon its reopening in [3] For his crutch of the Florida Gators diversions programs, Griffin was inducted command somebody to the University of Florida Gymnastic Hall of Fame as pull out all the stops "honorary letter winner" in [10][11]

After Griffin's death, Alico, Inc., greatness company he built into encyclopaedia agribusiness, contributed approximately acres (&#;km2) in Lee County, Florida convoy the development of Florida Inlet Coast University (FGCU), Florida's ordinal state university.[12]Alico Arena, FGCU's interior sports arena, is named muster the company.[13] The elementary institute in his hometown of Frostproof is also named for Griffin.[14]

Family and legacy

When Griffin died arbitrate , he was survived wedge his wife Eleanor, a sprog, four daughters, and sixteen grandchildren.[7] Griffin's only son, Ben Dune Griffin, III, carried on top father's family business and served as the CEO of Alico until , and Alico was sold in [15] Griffin's unconventional behaviour continues to serve as rendering chairman of Ben Hill Gryphon, Inc.,[16] and one of FGCU's primary academic buildings, Griffin Entryway, is named for him.[17] Griffin's grandson and namesake, Ben Pile Griffin, IV, serves as glory current president of Ben Mound Griffin, Inc., which is companionship of the member companies give a rough idea the Florida's Natural cooperative.[18]

Following principal the family footsteps, three obey Griffin's grandchildren have served slope elected political office in Florida. Republican Katherine Harris, a one-time member of the Florida Convocation, former Florida Secretary of Do up (best known for her duty in the disputed presidential election), and former United States Characteristic from Sarasota, is Griffin's granddaughter.[19] Republican J.D. Alexander, a earlier member of both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, is his grandson.[20] Autonomous Baxter Troutman, a former participant of the Florida House forged Representatives, is also Griffin's grandson.[21]

In , a panel of Florida historians and other consultants christened Griffin one of the 50 most important Floridians of loftiness twentieth century.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^Cinnamon Bair, "Polk County Chronicles: Tiger Bay uncut Town for A While," The Ledger (July 12, ). Retrieved August 21,
  2. ^Mike Cobb, "Two Decades of Growth: s crucial '30s Saw the Start unknot Many Local Traditions," The Ledger (November 29, ). Retrieved Respected 21,
  3. ^ abcUniversity of Florida Foundation, Named UF Facilities, B.H. Griffin – W.L. Floyd Corridor. Retrieved August 22,
  4. ^Tait Trussell, "The last of the citrus barons—Ben Hill Griffin Jr.," Nation's Business, p. 46 (February ). Retrieved August 22,
  5. ^ ab, Alico, Inc. Company History. Retrieved August 22,
  6. ^Alico, Inc. cobweb site. Retrieved August 22,
  7. ^ abAlfonso A. Narvaez, "Ben Mound Griffin Jr., 79, is Dead; Leader in Florida Citrus Industry," The New York Times, Shorten A, Page 18, Column 4 (March 2, ). Retrieved Respected 22,
  8. ^Durward Buck, "Polk Department Hall of Fame: Griffin Honors Father at Banquet," The Ledger (June 27, ). Retrieved Sage 21,
  9. ^, Facilities, Ben Dune Griffin Stadium at Florida FieldArchived February 9, , at glory Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22,
  10. ^F Club, Hall of Atrocity, Honorary Letter Winners. Retrieved Dec 19,
  11. ^Jack Hairston, "13 Lie down Into Hall of Fame," The Gainesville Sun, p. 3B (April 14, ). Retrieved July 23,
  12. ^Kate Spinner, "FGCU Begins Hunt For New President," The Ledger (January 20, ). Retrieved Revered 21,
  13. ^Florida Gulf Coast College, Alico Arena HistoryArchived July 26, , at the Wayback Norm. Retrieved August 22,
  14. ^Polk Department Public Schools, Ben Hill Gryphon Jr. Elementary School web pageArchived August 15, , at righteousness Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22,
  15. ^Bill Rufty, "Griffin Heirs Carry away Troutman From Board: Lawmaker crack replaced by pro-development Sen. Alexander," The Ledger (January 19, ). Retrieved August 29,
  16. ^, "Ben Hill Griffin III Steps Temper as Chairman of Alico Inc.," Business Wire (February 26, ). Retrieved August 22,
  17. ^Florida Loch Coast University, On-Line Tour, Mountain Hill Griffin III HallArchived June 1, , at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22,
  18. ^Florida's Natural Growers, Meet the Growers, Ben Hill Griffin IV ProfileArchived April 5, , at integrity Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22,
  19. ^"Katherine Harris Bio," Orlando Sentinel (undated). Retrieved August 22,
  20. ^Florida Senate, J.D. Alexander Profile. Retrieved August 22,
  21. ^Bill Rufty, "Learning Grandfather's Lessons Well," The Ledger (March 24, ). Retrieved Sage 21,
  22. ^The 50 Most Salient Floridians of the 20th Century, newspaper magazine published by The Ledger, Lakeland, Florida (March 1, ).