JOHN PEYTON

PRESIDENT, GATE PETROLEUM, JACKSONVILLE

One of the largest privately held companies in Florida, Jacksonville’s GATE Petroleum employs 3,500 people and operates in a wide variety of industries, including convenience stores, fleet and fuel services, car washes, hospitality, real estate and construction materials. Herbert Peyton founded the company with a single gas station in 1960. His son John succeeded him as president in 2012 after serving as Jacksonville’s mayor from 2003 to 2011. He was only the second Republican to be elected to the position since 1888. The GATE Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, has been helping charities since 2008 through contributions, partnerships with nonprofit organizations, in-kind gifts and employee volunteerism.