Bernardo Barnhart is a community leader for the people of Immokalee, Florida. Tucked back deep into the Florida Everglades, Immokalee is a small migrant farming town known for two things: poverty, and prospective professional football athletes.

Bernardo Barnhart graduated from Immokalee High School in 1997 and attended Santa Fe College. He worked hard early in his academic career to allow himself better options in the future. However, on his 20th birthday he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer and was forced to return to Florida in order to undergo the necessary treatments. While battling for his life and undergoing chemotherapy and other radiation treatments, he continued his education at the University of Florida at Gainesville.

Bernardo Barnhart received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001 in business administration. Since his graduation, he has had a successful career as a bank executive. Dedicated to setting an example for the youth of his home town, he returned to Immokalee, Florida to pursue the position of Vice President and Market Executive for Florida Community Bank. Through hard work and dedication, he achieved success.

Bernardo Barnhart is a highly successful banking and market executive. Not only is he acclaimed and accomplished, but he also has a solid progressive history promoting substantial, profitable growth. His areas of expertise in the finance world are consumer lending, commercial loans, and community reinvestment lending. Bernardo Barnhart managed a startup and CRA lending division from the ground up, making it a success while managing operations on a daily basis. He achieved a record number of promotions and as the only merger corporate executive to be retained and eventually promoted. His banking expertise is unparalleled in the finance industry, and he continues to enjoy success through hard work and determination.

Bernardo Barnhart is nothing short of an example for his home town located within the Florida Everglades. Not only is he one of the few individuals who were able to rise above the reputation of the town and find success in a professional capacity, but he has also come back in order to bring the youth of Immokalee motivation to succeed. He understands that life can be tough, often seemingly unfair, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. He has been involved with the Immokalee Chamber for over a decade and has been president since 2012.