PBºN Episode - 22

Summary

This podcast episode features George Gentile, a distinguished landscape architect, planner, and dedicated community servant in Palm Beach County. The discussion covers his upbringing in Riviera Beach, his extensive career spanning over four decades, and his significant contributions to shaping the natural and built environments of South Florida. Gentile shares insights into his role as Chairman of the Jupiter Inlet District, his work with his firm, GHO, and his philosophy on community involvement and professional development. The conversation highlights his impactful projects, leadership style, and vision for the future of Palm Beach North.

Key topics

• George Gentile's Background:

  • Born in Connecticut, moved to Miami at age 3, then Riviera Beach at age 5.

  • Grew up in Riviera Beach, a small fishing town, enjoying fishing at Phil Foster Park and Lake Park Marina.

  • Father moved to Riviera Beach for a management position with Withers Moving and Storage.

  • Has one younger brother living in North Carolina, a former Palm Beach County fire rescue and Riviera Beach fire rescue EMT.

  • Married to Jan for 51 years, with three sons (Jamie, Jonathan, Jody) and five grandchildren.

  • Jamie is a division director for Florida Power and Light, Jonathan is a police officer for the Town of Jupiter, and Jody works for Town and Country Feed.

  • Enjoys boating, fishing, and working on his house in his free time.

• Jupiter Inlet District Commission:

  • Chairman for seven years, serving 24 years on the commission.

  • Established in 1921 by Florida State Legislature to manage navigation and environmental issues in the Jupiter Inlet.

  • Ensures the inlet remains open for recreational and commercial vessels, maintaining environmental integrity.

  • District covers parts of Palm Gardens, Palm Beach County/Martin County line, Beeline Highway, and the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Responsibilities include running meetings, representing the district at events (e.g., US1 Bridge update), and attending League of Cities meetings.

  • Biggest issues facing waterways: Lake Okeechobee discharges (causing algae blooms in some areas), speed zones, and protection of seagrasses.

  • Involved in environmental projects, including mangrove island restoration and closing breaches in the Loxahatchee River.

• GHO (George Gentile's Firm):

  • Founded in 1988, specializing in landscape architecture and planning.

  • Focuses on design for outdoor spaces, including grading, water features, land and site planning, landscape design, and Hardscape design (pools, decks, plazas).

  • Involved in the Jupiter Riverwalk design and numerous environmental projects.

  • Mission to create sustainable, beautiful, and meaningful spaces.

  • Notable projects:

    • Restoration of the Dyer Landfill (started 1986, finished 12 years later), transforming it into a park with recreational facilities (ball fields, soccer fields, model airplane flying area, First Tee driving range for disabled children).

    • Relocated over 12,000 trees to restore wetland areas and established "Eco islands" to manage a subsurface plume.

    • Won a national award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for the Dyer Landfill project.

    • Renovations of Roger Dean Stadium.

    • Hardscape/landscape documentation for the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (Fit Team Stadium).

    • Ritz Carlton Residences in Palm Beach Gardens.

    • 700-acre resort project in Eleuthera, Bahamas.

    • Busch Wildlife Sanctuary project (designed during the pandemic, now open).

• Evolution of Landscape Architecture:

  • Profession has evolved beyond just plant materials to include planning, site planning, and government approvals (entitlements).

  • Increasing focus on climate change issues and sustainable development, melding living and built environments.

• Leadership and Management Style:

  • Practices "management by walking around" in an open office environment.

  • Engages constantly with staff to stay informed and address issues.

  • Values employees as the "product" and prioritizes their well-being.

  • GHO has 13 employees (previously 23), including principals Dan Samson and Dylan Rhoden (who started as an intern from Jupiter High School's environmental academy).

• Working with Public Agencies:

  • Successes: Understanding code issues, building relationships with elected officials and staff, and knowing their missions.

  • Works with multiple municipalities, holding annual contracts with some (e.g., Palm Beach County for fire stations, libraries, stadiums).

  • Challenges: Political changes, shifting priorities of elected officials (e.g., height restrictions), and increased development in western county areas.

  • Codes are constantly changing and becoming more complex.

• Community Involvement and Advice:

  • Believes in giving back to the community; his firm provided pro bono services for at least one public project annually.

  • Emphasizes the importance of being involved to understand community trends and developments.

  • Advice for the next generation:

    • Understand the profession thoroughly, consider internships (paid or unpaid).

    • Get involved in community organizations (e.g., Palm Beach North Chamber) for networking and understanding opportunities.

• Mentors and Accolades:

  • Lawrence Halprin: An iconic landscape architect who advised him to "follow your passion" in an elevator conversation, leading him to leave government for private practice.

  • Eric Smith: A professor and department head at the University of Florida who taught him how to deal with the profession and escorted him when he became a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

  • Awards: AIA Awards, Landscape Architect of the Year, Ed Tancer Community Leader of the Year Award from the Palm Beach North Chamber.

  • Views accolades as motivation to continue his work and attributes much of his success to his supportive wife, Jan.

• Future of Palm Beach North:

  • Predicts tremendous growth, becoming one of the top areas in the country and a significant force in Florida.

  • Highlights the influx of the financial market in West Palm and overall growth in North County.

• Legacy:

  • Wishes to be remembered for creating long-lasting and important contributions to communities and the county.

  • Hopes to be remembered as a good family man, father, and grandfather who made the living environment better for all residents.