Candidate Profile: Bradenton City Council Ward 1: Gene Gallo

Candidate: Gene Gallo

Party Affiliation: Non-partisan

Age: 73

Hometown: Miami

Residence: Bradenton

Occupation: Bradenton City Councilman, Ward 1

Education: Manatee High School; The University of Texas and Nebraska; and Florida State Fire College

A resident for more than 50 years, Gene Gallo will remain unopposed in his candidacy for Bradenton City Council’s Ward 1, making this his sixth term in office.

Gallo has taken several courses in Fire Science at four different institutions and become deeply involved with the Bradenton Fire Department. He first served as fire fighter and engineer from 1960 to 1970, becoming promoted to lieutenant, fire inspector and marshal and Assistant Fire Chief. 

Ending his career with the department as Fire Chief in 1991, Gallo continues to participate on related boards and associations. He was presented 1989’s State of Florida Fire Chief of the Year award, and in 2003, the Downtown Fire Station was named in his honor.

With a 49-year marriage and two grown daughters, Gallo has been past president of many community organizations, including the Manatee County Babe Ruth Baseball League, Manatee County Church Softball League, Manatee County Youth Football League, Manatee High School Band Boosters, Manatee High School Sports Boosters and Prine Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.

Moreover, some of the fire fighting and civil service-related groups Gallo has participated with are the Bradenton Fire Fighters Association, Managerial Fire Officers Association of Southwest Florida, Florida EMS Providers, Florida Fire Chiefs Association and Manatee County EMS Advisory Council.