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L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series

Entrepreneur

Advice and inspiration from leading entrepreneurs. 

Established in 2007 by L. Gale Lemerand, a longtime resident and entrepreneur in Volusia County, the L. Gale Lemerand Center for Entrepreneurship semi-annually hosts an event to encourage principles of entrepreneurship and to inspire students to strive for success in their chosen career. Mr. Lemerand maintains an active life guiding his various businesses and giving back to this community through his leadership and financial support for organizations. 

Jared Orton headshot and Savannah Bananas logo. Jared Orton, President of the Savannah Bananas

  • Nov. 10 - 9:30 a.m.
  • Hosseini Center, Daytona Beach Campus
  • Free and open to the public

Jared has been the President of the Savannah Bananas since day one of the franchise. He regularly speaks to organizations and business leaders around the country to help them create their own Fans First Experiences. Jared currently lives in Savannah with his wife, Kelsey, and their daughter.

He originally began working with Fans First Entertainment during the early days of the organization in Gastonia, NC before moving on to a minor league baseball team for two seasons. Jared learned the ropes of the sports and entertainment industry in those early years where it became clear that a relentless focus on the fan experience could bring an organization to new heights.

Building on that experience, Jared took on the challenge of leading the resurgence of baseball in Savannah, Georgia beginning in 2015 where a new team at a historic ballpark would become the Savannah Bananas. What now seems like an overnight success is over 11 years in the making. The Savannah Bananas packed out Historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah for 5 straight seasons.

In 2021, the team embarked on a One City World Tour to Mobile, Alabama with their brand new game – Banana Ball – the fastest and most entertaining game in sports. Now, in 2026, the Bananas, along with new Banana Ball rivals – the Party Animals, Firefighters, and Texas Tailgaters will play in front of two million people across the country. Jared and the Bananas believe this is due to staying true to many of their foundational principles such as being Fanatical about the Fans, Playing the Long Game, Entertaining Always, Plussing the Experience, and more.

The L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series Scholarship

The L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series Scholarship is offered twice a year (in the Fall and Spring). Scholarships will be awarded to students interested in becoming entrepreneurs. Up to three $1,000 scholarships each round may be given, based on the following criteria:
  • One to a Volusia or Flagler County high school student who plans to attend DSC
  • One to a DSC college-credit student
  • One to a DSC Adult Education student

Learning from today's leading entrepreneurs

Twice a year, the L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneur Speaker Series features advice and inspiration from some of the region and nation’s leading business owners. Each event is attended by hundreds of DSC and high school students, faculty, staff and members of the community.  

  • Erik Libby
  • Emilie Schmitz & Justine Knight
  • Jeff Henderson
  • Bill Navarra & Buzzy Porter
  • Sherrill Mosee
  • Adam Barringer
  • Pegine Echevarria
  • Randy & Daniel Dye
  • Harris Rosen
  • Josh Hudson
  • Daymond John
  • Suneera Madhani
  • Charles Clark
  • Jayson Meyer
  • Wes Henderson
  • Delicia Haynes
  • Elaine and Chris Larsen
  • Lucas Boyce
  • Chris Gilpin
  • Brant Menswar
  • Jim Stovall
  • Mike Curb
  • Andy Smith
  • Heidi Ganahl
  • Warren Brown
  • Mori Hosseini
  • S. Truett Cathy