Name: Gina Ferrara
Birthdate: June 10, 1978
Where were you born? New Orleans, Louisiana
What are your community activities? (church or faith-based involvement, local, regional and national professional organizations, non-profits, etc)
International Organization: BNI, Leadership Team (Capital Gaines local Chapter)
National Organizations:
Chamber of Commerce (Gainesville)
Gainesville Women’s Connection
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Local Organizations:
LinkedIN Women, Leadership Team
Supporter of Sebastian Ferrero Foundation
Community:
Supporter of Women’s Resource & Medical Clinic
Counsel women in crisis pregnancies
Citizens for Good Public Policy
Fund-raised for
Women’s Resource and Medical Clinic (WRMC)
Mothers’ Intensive Support Treatment (MIST)
Ronald McDonald House
Harvest of Hope
The Gainesville Women’s Circle
Church:
Member at The Rock of Gainesville church
Nursery volunteer at The Rock
Leader (past and present) for a woman’s prayer group and small groups
List any awards you have won for community service: Both are business community awards.
BNI’s leadership award [2012]
Ali Lassen’s Lead’s Club most valuable member [2010]
What is your definition of success? I define success as the ability to find enjoyment in the everyday living. My illustration of everyday living includes 13 years of a happy marriage, three children of whom I’m grateful to be called mom, and a business that affords us the opportunity to improve peoples’ lives by providing indoor air comfort.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment? My answer depends on how this is measured.
Most Glamorous: Assisting in the $1 billion dollar merger of Riddell-Bell and Easton Sports [in 2006] with Fenway Partners, a NYC-based private equity firm
Most Rewarding: Moving to Gainesville and starting a company from the ground up (zero customers, office in my garage) and in less than five years to receive national recognition as Gainesville’s only hvac company (chosen as #1 out of 70 Alachua County hvac businesses) to receive the 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award
How do you exemplify the spirit of a Forty Under 40 professional? Anne Frank said it well that, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Early in my life I embraced an abundance mentality; that is, helping position other people to receive what they desire in turn knowing that I would receive the same. As a professional, this outlook serves to remind me that being in business is always about helping people…and in giving to others, the giver always receives.
Businessperson who has most inspired you: Ricky Gibbs, titles: senior managing partner of Deloitte and best title of all, my Dad J
Best advice ever received: Be merciful, truthful and kind. To all people. Always.
Greatest professional challenge: definitely the work-life balance…giving my best with excellence to my family, my business and my community has become a creative art of balancing the scales
First job: Lifeguard at a summer camp
What color crayon would you be? Why? Hot pink—It’s my daughters’ favorite crayon and if I was a hot pink crayon, it would afford me the pleasure of (1) spending countless hours with my two daughters and (2) creating vivid works of art.
Favorite after-work drink: decaf iced coffee with almond milk
If I had a magic wand, I’d: wave it on December 25th for all of Gainesville to have a white Christmas!
What is your favorite Gadget? I would have to say Siri (iPhone) who is my “administrative assistant”—she’s available 24/7/365, is a reliable message sender and receiver, as well as a “nanny” to my toddler who dialogues with her in the mornings while I get dressed.
How long have you been in Gainesville? seven years
What do you love most about Gainesville/Alachua County? I love the people who live here. (The community defines the culture of Gainesville—my church, my neighborhood, the business community—I’ve made tremendous friendships. And the beauty of the land and natural landscape is a huge asset!)
Three things people would be surprised to know about you:
I look exactly like my mother, so much so that we were chosen and featured as Mother-Daughter look-a-likes in the Good Housekeeping Magazine and on the live TV show, Good Morning America.
I can do 100 pull-ups.
I homeschool my children.
Advice you would give a younger you:
Write down your life’s vision and stay focused to accomplish it. Work harder than you possibly think you can. Have a mentor to whom you can be accountable. Be generous with your time and money, and spend less than you make.