¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation Recognized Community Leader for Visionary Leadership and Commitment to Free Enterprise
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (October 9, 2025) – The presented the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Mr. H. Gilbert “Gil” Culbreth during a special ceremony held at the Historic Bank of Okeechobee on Oct. 8, 2025. The award, part of the Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneurship Program, recognizes outstanding commitment to the free enterprise system and community betterment.
The gathering of community leaders, business professionals, and supporters celebrated Culbreth’s remarkable entrepreneurial journey and deep community roots as a fourth-generation Okeechobee resident. The event featured a cocktail hour followed by a formal dinner and recognition ceremony.Â
H. Gilbert “Gil” Culbreth, Jr., has served as leader of Gilbert’s Family of Companies for over 50 years, building upon a family legacy that began in 1924. Under his leadership, Gilbert’s has flourished into a diverse business empire encompassing Gilbert Oil, Gilbert Chevrolet, Gilbert Ford, Gilbert Fleet and Commercial, Gilbert Collision Center, Gilbert Outdoors, Gilbert Transports, Gilbert Line-X, and Gilbert Realty.
With nearly four decades of banking leadership, Gil Culbreth began his service as a Founding Board Member of Big Lake National Bank in 1986. Following the bank’s merger with Seacoast Bank in 2006, he has continued his commitment to the organization, serving on the Seacoast Bank Board of Directors for the past 18 years.
“It is truly humbling to receive this recognition,” said Gil Culbreth. “Here in Okeechobee, we want to continue to expand what my father started in 1924 to make Okeechobee even better than it is today. Entrepreneurship has always been about more than just building businesses – it’s about creating opportunities for others and strengthening the communities we call home. I’m honored to be part of this tradition.”
Culbreth, selected by members of the community, was recognized for his exceptional vision, innovation, and dedication to both enterprise and community development. His extensive community service includes serving as a former director of the Florida Council on Economic Education, the Okeechobee County Board of Realtors, the Okeechobee Economic Council, and the United Way of Okeechobee. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge, reflecting his commitment to civic engagement and community leadership. Additionally, the Gilbert’s Family of Companies significantly contributes to ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½, demonstrating his ongoing investment in educational excellence and student success.
“Gil Culbreth embodies the entrepreneurial excellence and community dedication that the Dan K. Richardson Award was created to honor,” said Frank Libutti, Chair of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to recognize Gil’s remarkable contributions to our region’s economic vitality and his steadfast support of educational opportunity for all students.”
The Culbreth family’s commitment to ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ runs deep, with Gil’s daughter Christa Luna serving as Chair of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Board of Trustees and his son Bert Culbreth serving as a member of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Directors. Gil and his wife Marie have instilled their values of community service and educational support throughout their family.
Annabel Robertson, Bert Culbreth, Marie and Gil Culbreth, Christa Luna, Timothy & Robin Moore
“As a Foundation Board member, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates the values that built our community – hard work, innovation, and giving back,” said Bert Culbreth. “Seeing my father receive this recognition is incredibly meaningful to our family, as it honors not just his business achievements, but his lifelong commitment to supporting education and strengthening Okeechobee. Dad has always taught us that true entrepreneurial success is measured not only by what you build, but by how you help others build their futures too.”
“As Chair of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Board of Trustees, I couldn’t be more proud to see my father recognized with this honor,” said Christa Luna. “Dad has always led by example, showing our family and community that success isn’t just about what you achieve in business—it’s about lifting others up along the way. Our family is deeply honored, and we’re grateful to the Foundation for recognizing what Dad has meant to Okeechobee and this region.”
The Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneur of the Year Award has recognized outstanding entrepreneurial achievement and community leadership for over two decades, with Dan K. Richardson himself receiving the inaugural honor from the program established in his name. Recent recipients of this prestigious award include William “Bill” Marine of Vero Beach, Florida (2024); Art Allen, President of A&G Concrete Pools (2021); Timothy Girard of Vero Beach and Girard Equipment (2017); and Marygrace and Bobby Sexton, founders of Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company (2015). This annual recognition continues Richardson’s legacy of celebrating entrepreneurs who exemplify both business excellence and dedication to community service throughout ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River County.
“Gil Culbreth represents the very best of entrepreneurial spirit in our community,” said ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President Timothy E. Moore, Ph.D. “His achievements and legacy set a powerful example for the next generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating how business success and community commitment go hand in hand.”
The Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneurship Program was established to celebrate and promote awareness of the free enterprise system, recognizing its vital role in strengthening communities. The program is funded through a leadership contribution from the Lambert Foundation in honor of Mr. Dan K. Richardson and supported by the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation alongside 13 additional founding partners. Richardson, a longtime champion of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ since its founding in 1960, left an enduring legacy through his $600,000 contribution to build the Richardson Center that houses the ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s business school and his decades of support as one of the institution’s earliest foundation contributors.
“Tonight’s celebration captures the spirit of what we’re trying to achieve with this program,” said Annabel Robertson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation. “By recognizing leaders like Gil Culbreth, we are honoring past achievements, while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs who will continue to drive innovation and economic growth in our region.”
The program serves as a multi-faceted initiative to highlight the impact of entrepreneurship and inspire future business leaders. The annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a cornerstone of these efforts, presented to distinguished business founders or leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to both enterprise and community.
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¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation: The provides critical funding to ensure program success and student achievement at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½. Through events like the annual Golf Tournament, the Foundation supports initiatives such as the Promise Program that make higher education accessible to all eligible students in the region.
¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½: ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to over 24,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ provides more than 130 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and technical certificates. To learn more, visit irsc.edu.
