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Gott Retiring As Tree Company Executive

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

PLANT CITY Gil Gott has announced he is retiring from his management position with Florida Tree Source Inc., but will continue his other pursuits, including as executive director of Plant City Photo Archives.
Since October 2003, Gott has been chief executive officer of the 100-acre wholesale tree farm started in Plant City in 1999, and now in the top 10 percent of such operations in the Southeast.
Gott, who turns 67 in October, will retire July 1 but remain with the Florida Tree Source in an advisory capacity until early next year, company president Ed Verner said.
Under the auspices of the award-winning museum of historic photographs, Gott wrote "Remembering Plant City: Tales from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World." The collection of stories and photographs was published by The History Press, Charleston, S.C.
Gott, a graduate of Georgetown University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said he plans to return to Hillsborough Community College where, since 2000 he has been an adjunct faculty member teaching American history and American government. Demands on his time forced him to take a hiatus about two years ago.
Gott's retirement plans include devoting more time to the sailboat charter business he and Verner own and operate out of Land's End Marina, Apollo Beach. In 2007/2008, Verner and Gott captained their 32-foot twin-mast vessel, the Wind Ketcher, for "Dancing with the Wind," a movie filmed in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Given his many pursuits, Gott concedes that if it not true retirement, it will be more relaxing.
"The tree farm is a demanding business, and you really need to be there around the clock," Gott said. His remaining duties are less stressful, including the photo archives. "I can do that at any time," he said. "I can do that from home."
Prior to taking the helm of Florida Tree Source, Gott was president of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, vice president of governmental affairs and economic development for the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce.
An Erie, Pa. native and U.S. Air Force veteran, Gott is a member of numerous clubs and organizations and is the current vice president of the Arts Council of Plant City.

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