April 6, 2016

Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) was saddened to hear of the tragic accident that took the life of prominent Tampa-area businessman Lance C. Ringhaver on Monday evening.

Throughout his career, Lance was a stalwart supporter of AIF’s work on behalf of the business community.  First elected to the AIF Board as a Director in 1978, he continued on the Board through his election as Chairman for the period 1990 - 1994, and thereafter as an ex officio Past Chairman until his second “retirement” in 2007.

“Lance Ringhaver was a very astute and bright business leader; but more than that, he was admired, respected and liked by all who had the privilege to know him,” said Tom Feeney, President & CEO of Associated Industries of Florida.

Founded in 1961 by their father L.C. Ringhaver, brothers Lance and Randy built the Ring Power Company into what is now one of the largest Caterpillar dealers in the Southeastern United States.  From their headquarters in St. Augustine, Lance led the company’s expansion to Tampa in 1986 with the founding of Ringhaver Equipment Company. 

Lance quickly became involved in the local community and helped shape much of Tampa Bay’s development over the next four decades.  He was one of the founding members of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ ownership group and credited as a key figure with helping secure the franchise in 1995. 

Lance also served on the Board of the Tampa Port Authority (now known as Port Tampa Bay) for nine years after then-Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him in 1999, as a member of the Hillsborough Community College Board of Trustees in the early 1990s, and on the University of Tampa Board of Trustees from 2002-2008.  Philanthropies included Tampa’s Florida Aquarium, the YMCA, and his alma mater, University of Florida.

Just before his retirement in 2003, Ringhaver Equipment Company re-merged with the family-owned Ring Power Corporation, although Lance remained involved in the company.

On behalf of the AIF Board of Directors and AIF Membership, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, business associates, and many friends.