Leadership Florida Presents Gil Ziffer with the 2025 Distinguished Member Award

Leadership Florida Presents Gil Ziffer with the 2025 Distinguished Member Award

Gil Ziffer began his leadership journey in 1990 by co-founding Ziffer Advertising with his wife, Gail. For over three decades, the firm has provided marketing and public affairs services to major clients like The St. Joe Company and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. In the early 2000s, Gil raised over $750,000 to help fund amenities at Cascades Park, now a landmark in Tallahassee.

Appointed to the Tallahassee City Commission in 2009, Gil won elections in 2010 and 2014, earning a reputation as a unifier. As president of the Florida League of Cities from 2017-2018, Gil’s leadership was instrumental in advocating for Florida’s municipalities. He also secured land and funding for Independence Landing, a housing community for individuals with a range of intellectual, cognitive, and physical abilities, and still serves on its board.

As President of the Florida State Parks Foundation, he led the successful launch of a specialty license plate during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising hundreds of thousands for Florida’s parks. He also helped transform Sabal Palm Elementary, located in Florida’s poorest zip code, into a Community Partnership School.

Gil’s leadership was not confined to the state and local level. As a member of the National League of Cities Board of Directors and Chair of its National Advocacy Committee, he lobbied Congress for the needs of cities across the United States, further showcasing his ability to lead on both a state and national stage.

After retiring, Gil returned to the University of Florida at age 66 to complete his degree, graduating in 2023 with a B.A. in Sociology.

As a graduate of Cornerstone Class 37 and an integral part of the Leadership Florida family, we are thrilled for Gil Ziffer to be recognized as the 2025 Distinguished Member Award winner.