H. Wayne Huizenga
Also known as: Huizenga, Waste Management
Entrepreneur (deceased)
Known For
First American to found three Fortune 500 companies—Waste Management, Blockbuster, and AutoNation—while owning three pro sports teams simultaneously in South Florida.
About
Starting with Waste Management, Huizenga grew a single trash truck into an industry leader, followed by expanding Blockbuster into a video rental empire sold for billions, and launching AutoNation as America's top car retailer. In Miami and Broward County, he introduced MLB's Marlins—who captured the 1997 World Series—and NHL's Panthers, who reached the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals, while also acquiring the Dolphins and founding Boca Resorts for luxury South Florida properties. His philanthropy touched education deeply, funding the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business at Nova Southeastern University with $4 million and championing Junior Achievement's massive Broward center to inspire youth entrepreneurship. Civic roles spanned the Florida Council of 100, Salvation Army, and Boys & Girls Clubs, cementing his mark on the region's growth.
