Biographies
Gene Engle
Gene Engle
Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Gene Engle is a graduate of Lakeland High School and attended Emory University and Florida Southern College.
Mr. Engle has been civically involved with many organizations since 1960 that include serving as President of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the University of South Florida Lakeland Advisory Board, President of the Lakeland Board of Realtors, Chairman of the Central Florida Development Council and served on the University of South Florida Board of Trustees, University of South Florida Foundation Board, University of South Florida Research Foundation Board, Polk County Sports Marketing and Special Events Board, Lakeland Economic Development Board, Florida Council on Economic Education, and one of the founders of the Lakeland Economic Council, Central Florida Economic Council, Leadership Lakeland, Polk County Tourist Development Council, and Polk County Sports Marketing.
Honors Mr. Engle received have been the Lakeland Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce prestigious George Jenkins Award, Florida Economic Development Council Volunteer of the Year District 6, USF Lakeland Distinguished Service Award, Honorary member of the University of South Florida Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors, and recently inducted into the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame.
He is presently serving on the Past President's Council of the Central Florida Development Council, President of the Central Florida Racing Club (Orange Cup Regatta), Race Director of Orange Cup Regatta, Advisory Committee of Tourist Development Council-Sports & Special Events, Sun 'n Fun Fly-In Board of Directors, USF Research Foundation Board of Directors, USF Foundation Board, Florida Council on Economic Education Board of Directors, and Citizens Bank & Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Engle married his high school sweetheart, Pat, in 1960 and they are blessed with two children, Walt and Chris, and three grandchildren, Elise, Will and Sydney and continue to reside in Lakeland. He has been in real estate since 1962 specializing in development and commercial properties.