Gary Hester is an Associate Advisor at SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate in Lakeland, Florida.

Gary is a lifelong resident of Polk County with strong ties to the community.

Before launching his career in local commercial real estate, Gary worked in Polk County public safety for more than thirty-seven years in roles including:
• Chief of Staff to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd
• Police Chief for the cities of Winter Haven and Haines City
• Deputy County Manager for Polk County

Gary graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Alabama. Gary also graduated from the Southern Police Institute and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. He is a State of Florida Certified Public Manager.

In addition to his leadership in public safety, Gary is an alumnus of Polk Leadership Class I and served as the Class III chairman. He is a member of Haines City Rotary, Polk County Fraternal Order of Police and the Polk County Police Chiefs Association.