LSH Partners served as advisor and placement agent to Tarpon Blue on its acquisition of Collier Enterprises Management (“CEM”). CEM is headquartered in Naples, Florida, and manages a range of businesses engaged in real estate investment and development, agriculture, and private-equity investments. Since its establishment in 1976, CEM has been dedicated to responsible long-range planning, stewardship, and careful development of lands in Southwest Florida.

Ken Smith, President and CEO of Tarpon Blue, said “While Tarpon Blue’s acquisition will bring no great change to CEM’s diverse and storied portfolio of companies and assets, we recognize the important responsibilities before us. For both the transition and future, we are committed to serving as responsible stewards of the remarkable legacy created and carried out for more than a century by the Collier family and, in the same manner, affirm our responsibility to the environment and all communities affected by this transition. Our strong heritage in agriculture, and history of successful and responsible land and resource management and development, will ensure that the assets, companies, and employees will continue to be strongly supported through the highest standards.”¹

About Tarpon Blue Companies

The Tarpon Blue Family of Companies owns and operates a variety of entities that focus on the acquisition and management of agricultural, development, and natural resource assets across the United States. These companies include Tarpon Blue Agriculture BRP, LLC; Tarpon Blue Land & Resource Management, Inc.; Tarpon Blue Silver King I, LLLP; Tarpon Blue Real Estate Services, LLC; Tarpon Blue Insurance Advisors, LLC; Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours; and the newly acquired Collier Enterprises Management.

¹Joint Statement by Collier Enterprises Management and Tarpon Blue, October 7, 2022.