He never went to college. His father owned a dump truck. His mother worked at a welding plant. From those blue collar beginnings in Michigan, Lemerand has become one of Volusia County’s most prominent businessmen and philanthropists.

Lemerand isn’t slowing down, he decided to take the reins as CEO of Stonewood Holdings, the parent company for the Stonewood Grill & Tavern and Peach Valley Cafe chains, which he majority owns. He continues to routinely work 55-hour weeks.

Lemerand’s other interests include giving away lots of his money. His philanthropy started with a whisper in Chi Chi Rodriguez’s ear. During a charity golfing event hosted by the legendary PGA golfer, Lemerand whispered that he was giving $500,000 cash to the Chi Chi Rodriquez Youth Foundation. The golfer started crying tears of joy, Lemerand said.  A trip to a Gators football game in 1994 — his first college game — started his giving to UF. Big-time Gators booster Bill Lloyd, a then co-owner of Lloyd Buick-Cadillac in Daytona Beach, invited him along and introduced him to then-coach Steve Spurrier.  Lemerand said he was instantly hooked, joking that Lloyd is “the most expensive friend I ever made,” because it resulted in his donating millions of dollars over the years to the university.  Lemerand regularly attends Gators football and basketball games and has gotten to know the players and coaches. He still maintains a close friendship with former Gator football coach Urban Meyer, who invited him and fiancee Jill Simpkins to attend this year’s national championship game as his personal guests. Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes won.

Locally, Lemerand also became a supporter of the Council on Aging, the Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way and March of Dimes, in addition to higher educational institutions. “Our community is indeed a better place because of Gale’s volunteer spirit, hard work, unselfish use of his time and energy and generosity,” said Joe Petrock, chairman of the Civic Foundation.