Mitch Glaeser

CEO, EMORY GROUP COS., ALACHUA

Glaeser is the developer of the San Felasco Tech City, an 82-acre mixed-use development for entrepreneurs and tech startups. Emory Group Cos. is a family-owned group of companies that includes information technology, publishing, hospitality, apparel and real estate, among other business interests. Glaeser is past chair of the Counsel for Economic Outreach and two-time chairman of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served in leadership roles for Crime Stoppers, Junior Achievement and other organizations.

EDUCATION: Santa Fe College

MENTOR: John Fitzwater, who worked most of his career for the New York Times newspaper group, including decades as publisher of The Gainesville Sun and later the Lakeland Ledger. No one taught me more than him about building business relationships and the value of leadership. John taught me the underlying principles of ethical behavior and corporate citizenship. He also helped me learn how to transform community initiatives into reality.

LISTENING: Between Two Ferns podcast. One must incorporate humor into their lives, right?

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Harris Rosen. I admire what he has done for the less fortunate. I’ve only met him once, but he obviously left a lasting impression.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: As one who was raised in a foster family of 81 children, I learned that sharing has greater rewards than being selfish and greedy. That experience also taught me the value of listening to many perspectives before making judgments.