Syd Kitson, Kitson & Partners
Syd Kitson is the Chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, a Florida-based real estate company known for developing sustainable, resilient, and innovative communities that are thoughtfully designed to live in harmony with nature.A graduate of Wake Forest University with a degree in Economics, Syd had a notable career in the National Football League, playing offensive guard for both the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. Upon his retirement from professional football in 1985, Syd launched his real estate career, overseeing residential communities and commercial properties throughout the Northeast region of the country. In 1999 he founded Kitson & Partners, establishing the firm's headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Syd is perhaps best known for leading the visionary acquisition of Babcock Ranch in 2006, encompassing more than 92,000 acres in Southwest Florida – an area five times the size of the island of Manhattan. In what became the largest single land preservation agreement in Florida's history, more than 80% of the property – 73,000 acres – was set aside for permanent preservation. The remaining land became Babcock Ranch, the first solar-powered town in the United States and a nationally recognized model for smart, sustainable, resilient development.
Beyond his work in real estate, Syd has been an active leader in civic and business circles. He's served as Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of 100, and the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, as well as becoming a lifetime member of Leadership Florida. His leadership and vision have been widely recognized – most recently by Time magazine, which named him "Dreamer of the Year" in 2023, the Florida Council of 100's "Governor's Business Leader Award" in 2024, and Wake Forest University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025.