U. of Florida Creates Philanthropic Award in Name of Miami Accountant

The University of Florida Advisor Network (UFAN) recently honored two advisors with the inaugural “Gary Gerson Award for Advisor Excellence.”  The award recognizes those who were extremely influential in supporting significant gifts to the University of Florida last fiscal year.  Charles D. Riggs III and Stuart Goldberg were the recipients of the honor.

The award is named after Mr. Gerson, founder of the Miami accounting firm of Gerson, Preston, Klein, Lips, Eisenberg & Gelber. The university created the award in his name “because of his long history of commitment and support to the University of Florida,” and the countless ways he’s helped make it a flagship university in the state.  He spent a significant part of his career encouraging and advising his clients to leave charitable legacies throughout their lifetime. 

Perhaps even more important is that Mr. Gerson and his family have been one of the most important donors historically to the University of Florida as well.  Most significantly, the construction of Gerson Hall which is home for the Fisher School of Accounting.  So, he not only encouraged his clients to be philanthropic but he lead by example over his entire career, and continues to do so.