Ken and Linda McGurn

Ken and Linda have been involved in real estate since the early 70’s. They have done land development, redevelopment, renovations, and new construction. They are most known for the redevelopment of downtown Gainesville. They have been active investing in and mentoring startup companies. Conservation has been a big part of their developments which include generating two megawatts of solar power. They have served on numerous volunteer boards. Linda came from a military family and Ken spent nine years with the Army. They met in spy school. Two weeks after a blind date in 1971, they were engaged and soon married. They have travelled extensively to every state, more than 140 countries, and all continents. They have travelled to exotic places from Katmandu to Timbuktu. In the military, Ken jumped out of perfectly good aircraft, including being a test paratrooper jumping from the massive C-5 Galaxy. He has also bungeed, including one from 144 feet “into” a river in New Zealand. He has flown weightless in the “Vomit Comet.” None of those activities were of interest to Linda. Both ski and both are certified scuba divers. They are recognized for their support of higher education and their philanthropy including major support for the university’s Earth’s Systems Initiative and Biodiversity endowment. They have been long-time supporters of the Machen Opportunity Scholarship Fund. They have created the McGurn Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund and the McGurn Fellowship Program for Media Integrity and the Fight Against Disinformation.

LINDA C. MCGURN

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND MEMBERSHIPS
  • Member Florida Bar Association
  • Member Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association
  • Certified Public Accountant State of Florida – Inactive
  • Co-Chair UF Foundation $4.6 Billion Campaign (2019/2020)
  • Life Member UF Warrington College Business Advisory Council and past Chair Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Working Group
  • Life Member and Past Chair University of Florida Foundation Board
  • Member Class XVII Leadership Florida
  • Past Director Florida Capital Bank
  • Past Director Florida Bank
  • Past Director University of Florida Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Board
  • Past Co-Chair Innovation Gainesville
  • Past Chair and Treasurer Gainesville Downtown Owners and Tenants, Inc. Board
  • Past Chair Gainesville Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board
  • Past Chair Gainesville Downtown Redevelopment Agency
  • Past Vice-Chair Gainesville Annexation Commission
  • Past Treasurer Sustainable Alachua County, Inc.
  • Past Chair Gainesville Local Grace Commission
  • Past Chair Downtown Owners’ and Tenants’ Association Board
  • Past President Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida, Inc. Board
  • Past President Thomas Center Associates, Inc. Board
  • Past President Gainesville Women’s Forum
  • Past Vice-President Florida Women’s Alliance
  • Past Co-Chair Chamber “Innovate Gainesville”
  • Former Member Prevent Blindness Florida Board
  • Former Member University of Florida Fisher School of Accounting Steering Committee
  • Former Member Keep Alachua County Beautiful Board
  • Former Member Gainesville Civic Ballet (DANCE ALIVE!) Board
  • Former Member United Way Cabinet
  • Former Member Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
  • Former Member Matheson Historical Center Board of Directors
  • Member Order of the Coif Law Honorary Association
  • Member Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Fraternity
  • Member Beta Alpha Psi National Accounting Honorary Fraternity
  • Member Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Fraternity
EDUCATION
  • 1978 – J.D. in Law with High Honors from the University of Florida.
  • 1974 – Attended University of Florida Master’s Program in Accounting.
  • 1973 – B.S.B.A. in Accounting with High Honors from the University of Florida.
  • 1970 – Attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

KENNETH R. MCGURN

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND SERVICE
  • Co-Chair S.C.O.R.E.
  • Co-Chair UF Foundation $4.6 Billion Campaign (2019/2020)
  • State Registered Real Estate Broker – Inactive
  • State Certified Community Association Manager
  • State Certified General Contractor – Inactive
  • Director Cavidyne, LLC
  • Executive Board Emergent 1 – Tech Start-Up Company Investment Group
  • Life Member UF Warrington College Business Advisory Council
  • Past Member Florida Green Building Coalition
  • Past Member 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness – Chaired Two Committees
  • Past Chair Alachua/Bradford Region 9 Workforce Board (2007-2009)
  • Past Chair Gold Standard Multi-Media (Medical Software Company)
  • Past Chair University of Florida Real Estate Advisory Board
  • Past PAC Chair State Home Builders Association
  • Past President Board of Directors Florida State Museum of Natural History
  • Past President Gainesville Apartment Association
  • Past Chair Alachua County Community Development Block Grant Board
  • Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Agency
  • Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Authority
  • Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board
  • Past Chair Alachua County Housing Finance Authority
  • Past Chair Boy Scouts North Florida Council Finance Champaign Committee
  • Past Chair Gainesville Builders Association PAC Committee
  • Past Chair Several Chamber of Commerce Committees
  • Past Vice-President Alachua County Arts Council
  • Past Member United Way Executive Board
  • Past Director National Home Builders Association
  • Past Director Gainesville Builders Association
  • Past Director Alachua County Early Learning Coalition
  • Past Director Neuronet, LLC
  • Past Director Stage Tally, LLC
  • Past Director Sporting Odyssey, LLC
  • Past Director CCP Fund1 (Real Estate Investment Fund)
  • Past Director University of Florida Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Board
  • Past Entrepreneur in Residence UF Business College
  • Twice Past President Gainesville Chamber Orchestra Board
  • Twice Past President Gainesville Real Estate Exchangers
  • Past Owner and Publisher of The Business Journal
EDUCATION
  • 1981 – Ph.D. Real Estate. Minors in Finance and Economics from the University of Florida. Thesis: Seasonal Fluctuations in the Price of Existing Single Family Houses.
  • 1973 – M.A. Real Estate and Urban Land Planning from the University of Florida. Thesis: The Cost of Growing (A Study of Municipal Services), showing the costs of urban sprawl.
  • 1972 – B.S.B.A. in Management with Honors from the University of Florida.
MILITARY SERVICE
  • 1963 Private E-1 – Basic Training Ft. Jackson, South Carolina
  • 1964 Private E-2 and PFC E-3, Army Security Agency (ASA) Ft. Devens, Massachusetts
    • Morse Code Intercept Operator Training
    • Communications Security Training
  • 1965 Republic of Vietnam (age 19) Communications Security (ASA)
    • Specialist E-4
    • One week in Saigon, three weeks in the field
    • Went thru two coups and was there when the embassy was car bombed
    • E-5 Buck Sergeant
  • 1966 2nd Lieutenant Infantry Officer School Ft. Benning, Georgia
  • 1966 507th ASA – Attached to HQ 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division Ft. Bragg, N.C.
  • 1966 Paratrooper School, Ft. Benning, Georgia
  • 1967 Chemical Biological Radiological Warfare School Ft. McClellan, Alabama
  • 1967 Jungle Survival School Ft. Sherman/ Ft. Gulick, Panama (Jungle Expert)
  • 1967 1st Lieutenant
  • 1968 Division Ready Force Commander
  • 1968 Promoted to be the youngest Captain in the military (age 22)
  • 1968 National Security Agency, Ft. Meade, Maryland (Cryptology)
  • 1968 Intelligence Officer I.G. Farben Building Frankfurt, Germany
    • Compartmented Projects Officer (Ultra-Limited Access)
  • 1968 Duty Officer when Russians Invaded Czechoslovakia
  • 1969 Air Force Survival School (Russian Law – in case of capture)
  • 1969 Commander of a one-of-a- kind spy plane (C7) detachment Rhine Mein, Germany
  • 1970 Legal Traveler (spy) on the ground in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Israel
  • 1971 ASA Attached to the 20th Special Forces Group Jacksonville, Florida
  • 1971 Counter Intelligence Training Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
  • 1972 Agent Handler Training Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
  • 1972 Military Intelligence Officer Advance Course
  • Clearance Top Secret Code Word with a 10 Year Travel Restriction
  • Medals A few but too few to mention

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • 2023 Florida Trend Florida’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders (Ken and Linda)
  • 2022 Florida Trend Florida’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders (Ken and Linda)
  • 2021 Community Foundation of North Central Florida Legacy Donor Award (Ken and Linda)
  • 2021 Florida Trend Florida’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders (Ken and Linda)
  • 2019 Co-Chairs of UF Foundation 4.6 Billion Dollar Capital Campaign
  • 2019 Gator 100 S. Clark Butler Pinnacle Award (Ken and Linda)
  • 2017 Gainesville-Alachua County Recognition – Art in Public Places (Ken and Linda)
  • 2016 University of Florida Foundation – Lifetime Volunteer Award (Ken and Linda)
  • 2016 Gainesville Sun – Spirit of Gainesville Community Service Award (Ken and Linda)
  • 2016 ‘The Links, Inc.’ Certificate of Appreciation
  • 2015 Gainesville Sun’s Entrepreneurship Honoree
  • 2012 University of Florida “Distinguished Alumni” (Ken and Linda)
  • 2012 Santa Fe College “Women of Distinction” (Linda)
  • 2012 Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year (Linda)
  • 2011 Appreciation of Support “Making Strides” Against Breast Cancer
  • 2011 Florida Trend Magazine 2011 “Must Know People” in Gainesville (Ken and Linda)
  • 2010 SEBC Grand Aurora Award for Parking Garage Solar Voltaic Project
  • 2010 SEBC Aurora Award for Solar Voltaic Energy Home
  • 2009 Matheson Historical Society for Significant and Lasting Contributions to History of Alachua County (Ken and Linda)
  • 2009 Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award for Work Force Board (Ken)
  • 2008 Girl Scouts of Gateway Council “Women Who Make a Difference” (Linda)
  • 2007 University of Florida CEI Gainesville Entrepreneur of the Year (Ken and Linda)
  • 2007 Alachua Conservation Trust’s Conservation Stewards of the Year (Ken and Linda)
  • 2006 Catholic Charities Spirit of Charity
  • 2005 National Alliance to Save Energy 2005 Energy Value Housing Award
  • 2001 South Eastern Building Conference (SEBC) Gold Aurora for Best Commercial Project
  • 2001 SEBC (11 Southern States) – Aurora Award for Best Redevelopment
  • 2001 SEBC – Aurora Award for “Best Water Wise” Development (Conservation)
  • 2001 SEBC – Aurora Award for Best Office/Commercial Park
  • 2001 Masonry Association of Florida “Outstanding Masonry Multifamily Project for 2001”.
  • 2001 National Home Builder’s Energy Value Housing Award
  • 2000 Gainesville Sun Newspaper’s “50 People Who Made a Difference in North Central Florida Over the Last Century” (Ken and Linda)
  • 2000 Governor Bush’s Sustainable Florida Initiative Award (Ken and Linda)
  • 2000 Keep Alachua County Beautiful Chairman’s Millennium Gold Award for the people who made the most difference in the county over the millennium (Ken and Linda)
  • 2000 Gainesville City Beautification First Place Award for Union Street Station Building
  • 2000 Insite Magazine “Gainesville’s 20 Most Interesting People” (Ken)
  • 2000 Alachua County Commission Appreciation of Volunteer Service (Ken)
  • 2000 Gainesville City Commission Appreciation of Volunteer Service (Linda)
  • 1999 Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award (Linda)
  • 1999 North Central Florida Boy Scout
  • 1999 Continuous Support of Downtown Festival and Art Show (Ken and Linda)
  • 1998 Governor’s Chiles “Florida Finest” Award for Contribution to the Community (Linda)
  • 1998 North Central Florida Boy Scout Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Support
  • 1998 Gainesville Builder’s Association for Outstanding Volunteer Support (Ken)
  • 1997 United Way Appreciation of Volunteer Support (Ken)
  • 1997 Friends of the Gainesville Mounted Patrol Appreciation of Support (Ken)
  • 1997 Hippodrome State Theater for Contribution to the Arts
  • 1997 CEO Business Person Volunteer of the Year (Linda)
  • 1996 United Way Appreciation of Volunteer Support (Linda)
  • 1996 YMCA Appreciation Award
  • 1996 Hippodrome State Theater for Exceptional Support
  • 1996 First Place Beautification Award – City of Baytown, Texas
  • 1995 Gainesville Sun Newspaper’s Business People of the Year (Ken and Linda)
  • 1995 City Commission Proclamation “Linda McGurn Day” November 13, 1995
  • 1995 Chamber of Commerce’s top volunteer of the year (Ken)
  • 1995 City Commission First Place Award for Downtown Landscape Project (Linda)
  • 1994 Appreciation of Service Gainesville Chamber of Commerce (Ken)
  • 1994 Historic Gainesville Preservation Award for Renovation of the Opera House
  • 1994 Gainesville City Beautification Award for Historic Opera House Renovation
  • 1993 First Place Beautification Award – City of Baytown, Texas
  • 1992 Redevelopment Agency and City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations
  • 1991 Hippodrome State Theater for Exceptional Support
  • 1990 Stop Children’s Cancer, Inc. Appreciation Award
  • 1989 Alachua County Mental Health Association Appreciation of Support
  • 1989 City Commission Award for a Unique Joint Community Project
  • 1989 Business Gainesville Magazine Real Estate People of the Year (Ken and Linda)
  • 1988 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Certificate of National Merit
  • 1988 Alachua County Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Support
  • 1988 City Beautification Award for Sun Center East Most Beautiful Atrium Design
  • 1988 Local Architectural Institute of America Award for Outstanding Design
  • 1988 City Beautification Award for Downtown Sun Center West office building
  • 1988 City Beautification Award for Downtown Arlington Square Apartments
  • 1987 Neighborhood Housing Services Neighborhood Preservation Award
  • 1987 City Beautification Award for the Downtown Sun Center East building
  • 1987 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations of the Sun Center
  • 1986 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations of the Florida Theatre
  • 1984 Alachua County Coordinated Child Care Award for Major Program Assistance
  • 1983 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations at 108-112 South Main Street

A Few McGurn Developments

Random Pictures