Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida Welcomes Peter Rivera to Board of Directors
Fort Myers, FL – March 9, 2026 – The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) is proud to announce the appointment of Peter Rivera, President of Gaea Landscaping, to its Board of Directors.
Rivera is a respected business leader and philanthropist whose journey began at just 15 years old mowing lawns alongside his father to help support their family. Raised in Pine Manor, Rivera learned the values of hard work, perseverance and community responsibility early in life. Those humble beginnings shaped both his entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for giving back.
Today, as President of Gaea Landscaping, Rivera leads a full-service landscaping and maintenance company serving Southwest Florida. Beyond his professional success, he is deeply committed to strengthening the community that helped shape him.
His connection to the CAC is personal. Growing up in Pine Manor, a community where the organization provides afterschool and summer prevention programming for over 26 years for elementary aged children, Rivera understands firsthand the importance of positive support systems and safe spaces for youth. In addition to joining the board, Rivera is a financial supporter of the agency and a sponsor of its upcoming CAC Reimagined event.
“Growing up in Pine Manor shaped who I am today,” said Rivera. “I know how important it is for children to have safe spaces, strong mentors and real opportunities. The CAC is doing critical work to protect and uplift kids in our community, and I’m honored to support that mission both financially and as a board member. I’m committed to encouraging the younger generation to give back, support their communities and understand the importance of leaving the world a better place than they found it.”
The Children’s Advocacy Center’s Board of Directors supports the nonprofit in furthering its mission to create a safe and nurturing space for children affected by abuse and neglect, where they can share their stories, begin to heal and thrive with comprehensive support services.
“We are thrilled to welcome Peter to our Board of Directors,” said Alicia Shannon, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. “Peter’s story reflects resilience, determination and heart. His deep roots in Pine Manor and his commitment to investing back into our community align beautifully with our mission. His leadership, generosity and passion for helping children will make a meaningful impact as we continue this critical work.”
For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and its programs, visit www.cac-swfl.org.
About the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida
For 44 years the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida has continued to provide a coordinated response to child abuse and neglect through prevention, intervention, and treatment programs. The Center works to improve the lives of children and families by ensuring safety, promoting healing, and fostering resilience. For more information, visit www.cac-swfl.org.