Today, the Orange Cup Regatta is a world-renowned powerboat race that kicks-off the season nationwide. Started by his father in 1933, Gene Engle has been its chairman for 28 years.

But that’s just one title the Lakeland born and raised titan of industry has held.

Twice president of the Central Florida Development Council of Polk County, Engle has served as president of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, helped found Leadership Lakeland, and has served as president of the Lakeland Board of Realtors, a founding director of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, chairman of the Polk County Water Sports Facility Steering Committee, a member of the University of South Florida Foundation Board and was the first Polk County member of the USF Board of Trustees.

Today, he’s on the advisory committee of the Tourist Development Council, Sports and Special Events; a member of the board of directors for the Sun N Fun Fly-In; on the board of directors for the USF Research and Innovation Foundation as well as on the board of directors for the Florida Council for Economic Education.

Engle is a graduate of Lakeland High School, and attended Emory University and Florida Southern College. Later he was bit by the real estate development bug.

Gene has been married to Pat for 57 years. They have two children, Walt and Chris, as well as three grandchildren, Elise, Will and Sydney.