GARY R. GERSON, CPA

Gary R. Gerson, the founding senior partner of Gerson, Preston, Robinson & Company, achieved success through talent, hard work, an unwavering commitment to his clients, and his community. His tremendous dedication continues to drive him today.

Mr. Gerson's beginnings were at the University of Florida in Gainesville where he graduated with high honors earning his Bachelor's degree in accounting in 1954 and a Master's degree in business administration a year later. At age 21, he distinguished himself then as the youngest CPA in the country. Receiving a U.S. Navy Commission in 1955, Mr. Gerson was appointed Officer in Charge of the Navy Area Audit Office in Orlando. It was three years later that he began the practice of public accounting in Miami Beach, laying the foundation of what was to become Gerson, Preston, Robinson & Company.

Mr. Gerson has more than 40 years experience in public accounting, taxation, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, financial institutions, government and not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, he holds a special expertise in the field of litigation support for business damages. Mr. Gerson and partner James P. Robinson recently co-authored a manual for the Florida Department of Transportation called, "A Presentation Regarding A CPA’s View of Varying Interpretations of Business Damages under Florida Law."

Mr. Gerson employs a "hands on" philosophy, overseeing all aspects of business operations within the firm. A significant portion of his public accounting practice concentrates on litigation support engagements, international taxation, and other key areas of growth in the 21st century. In addition, Mr. Gerson is qualified as an expert witness in 13 Florida county courts and the Federal Courts of Central and South Florida. Mr. Gerson is a member of both the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Mr. Gerson has generously and consistently "given back" to the community by contributing his time and considerable financial resources to many charitable, civic and educational organizations. He is a former President and Chairman of the Board of the Mount Sinai Medical Center and served as Chairman of the Board of Israel Bonds Organization of South Florida for 10 years. Mr. Gerson has been a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Douglas Gardens Jewish Home for the Aged, Temple Beth Sholom, the Concert Association of Florida and the Dade County Industrial Development Authority.

Furthermore, Mr. Gerson believes he owes much of his success to the outstanding education he received at the University of Florida, which is considered to have one of the top 5 accounting schools in the nation. To salute him as a role model for generations to come, the university named its new accounting hall after Mr. Gerson, who in 1994 was the recipient of the University of Florida Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2002, he was inducted in the UF's Athletic Hall of Fame for his role in establishing the university's athletic counselor training program. Mr. Gerson is also a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees and sponsors the Gary R. Gerson Lecture Series that brings outstanding scholars to the university. Additionally, Mr. Gerson firmly believes that no student should be denied an education purely because of financial need and in this vein he continues to contribute many need-based scholarships to the University of Florida and other state universities.

Mr. Gerson's numerous achievements in business and community leadership have been recognized by a number of civic and professional organizations. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from St. Thomas University, named as an inaugural inductee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Commerce and Professions Division Hall of Fame in 1996, and received the 1996 Citizen of the Year award from the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. He also received in 2001 the “Outstanding CPA in Public Service Award” from the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accounts and was named “Man of the Year” by The Miami Herald’s Jewish Star Times. Mr. Gerson and his wife, Niety, have four grown children.