Gerber International Newsletter

All of the associates here at Gerber are very well aware that our CEO is very private and rarely grants interviews. He agreed to share a little about his business life and personal life with a local journalist that he has known for some time and trusts. This is a rare glimpse into the life of the man we lovingly call the boss here at GIH. He reluctantly agreed to do this story only because of the launching of the books he wrote and released over this past year. The following is the article he agreed to do with that local reporter.

Scott Randall Gerber may be a lesser-known name to many people, but his life story is rich and multifaceted. Today, we’ll dive into his journey to understand the man who leads Gerber International Holdings and avoids the spotlight and rarely if ever grants interviews with the media. Scott was born Randall Scott Gerber, but a clerical error on his adoption paperwork swapped his first and middle names. Raised as Randy in the small town of Vassar, Michigan, with a population of just over 2,700, he grew up knowing most of the people in the small community. His siblings were already adults with their own families when he was brought into the Gerber family home, and he was largely raised by his father a local businessman after his mother passed away after a long battle with cancer when he was only 11 years old.

Drawn to the ambulance service right out of high school, Randy joined his local volunteer services, not knowing he would later help build one of Michigan’s leading emergency medical services. Early on, he was encouraged by the small community ambulance director to pursue training as a paramedic, which he did by working weekends and taking classes during the weekdays. He completed his training and accepted a position at Saginaw Mercy Ambulance, which had been contracted to provide paramedic-level care in his community. Over time, he progressed from Paramedic, Assistant Director and Director of Vassar Ambulance and later was appointed as Regional Director for two counties overseeing operations in Tuscola and Arinac.

In 1994, Saginaw Mercy and Saginaw EMS merged to form Mobile Medical Response, Inc. (MMR), where Scott was appointed Vice President of Operations. He was responsible for overseeing a staff of 500 across ten counties, managing road operations, a dispatch center handling county 911 calls, and coordination for EMS helicopter services. He lead and overseen Integrated EMS Solutions the consulting arm for the company. Scott also served on the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services board for many years, contributing to statewide policy and services. By 2010, MMR was one of Michigan’s largest provider of emergency and non-emergency medical services. Scott’s work in expanding rural paramedic care and his program providing free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to underserved areas earned him recognition from the United States Congress 2002 presented to him by U.S. Representative James Barcia.

Over the years he gained a reputation of being a driven and hardworking business leader that could be very blunt in his business dealing but was always seen as being level headed, honest and fair to people that worked for him or had business dealings with him. But, despite his professional successes, tragedy struck when he lost his 12-year-old son to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a loss that deeply affected him and shifted his perspective on life. Following his departure from MMR in 2010, he took on the role of President and CEO of his family’s holding company Gerber International Holdings, LLC. headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His career then spanned industries from transportation to hospitality, always marked by a commitment to honest and ethical business practices.

In 2020, Scott moved to Florida to escape Michigan winters, first settling near Orlando before moving closer to Clearwater. There, he was working as an educator and after moving to the clearwater areas he founded, produced, and co-hosts the popular The Tipping Point Tampa Bay, a podcast and blog addressing social issues like housing and the cost of living. He also launched two blogs: The Traveling Day Trader, focused on his passion for trading, and Whispers of the Soul, a creative outlet for his poetry and photography. In 2024, Scott published The Adventures of Lily, The Little Dunedin Lizard, a children’s book, and Whispers of the Cove, a love story.

While retirement may have been on his mind, his many projects keep him busy, along with his continued obligations with Gerber International Holdings. Those who know him describe Scott as a straightforward, fair-minded leader and a voice for those often overlooked. Respected in both business world and the community, Scott remains a private individual, opting to let his work speak for itself and avoids the media spotlight and interview requests.

GERBER INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

Present/ceo

Scott Randy gerber

March 9, 2025

To All GIH Associates,

I recognize that my communication with you has been less frequent than usual, and I want to take this opportunity to address both the challenges we are facing and the path forward.

Over the past several weeks, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in how our country—specifically its current administration—interacts with our long-standing allies and neighbors. We have seen verbal attacks, open threats, and a complete disregard for the relationships that have defined our nation’s strength and stability. Our trusted allies, particularly our neighbors to the north, are being treated as adversaries, while our leadership cozies up to oppressive regimes and dictators. This is not the America we stand for, and I want to be absolutely clear: The Gerber family does not and will never support the reckless and dangerous tactics being employed by this administration or the current failures in leadership within the Republican Party. Their actions are steering our country toward instability and economic hardship, with millions of hardworking Americans caught in the crossfire.

We fully recognize the need for responsible financial management and economic discipline, but the cuts and policy shifts being forced upon the American people do not serve the interests of the average worker or the future of this nation. Instead of lifting people up, these decisions are pushing families, businesses, and communities toward financial distress.

As we prepare for what I fear will be some of the darkest economic and political times this country has ever seen, I convened an emergency Board meeting last week to discuss our path forward. This meeting, held via conference call from Florida, focused on ensuring the well-being of our associates and the long-term stability of our company. After extensive discussions and careful analysis, I requested—and the Board unanimously approved—a 10% across-the-board wage increase for all associates, effective April 1st.

This increase is not tied to your annual review or any scheduled raises. It is an acknowledgment that we see the storm on the horizon, and we are committed to taking care of those who make this company what it is. While we cannot predict every challenge ahead, we can ensure that our people are supported, respected, and valued.

Before closing, I want to take a moment to reaffirm the Gerber family’s unwavering support for our allies and our commitment to standing on the right side of history. We stand in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine and their President as they fight for their sovereignty and freedom. The values of democracy, dignity, and human rights are not negotiable, and we will always align ourselves with those who defend them.

To each of you—our dedicated and hardworking associates—thank you. Your resilience, dedication, and integrity do not go unnoticed. As always, my door remains open. If you ever need to speak with me directly, know that I am here.

Stay strong, stay informed, and stand for what is right.

Sincerely,
Scott Randy Gerber
President & CEO
Gerber International Holdings, LLC