Carl A. DeSantis: 1939-2023

Nova Southeastern University has lost one of its own. On Aug. 10, 2023, Carl A. DeSantis – for whom the DeSantis Building was named – passed away in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 84 years old.

DeSantis was born in Boston on July 19, 1939, and was raised in South Florida. He was an entrepreneur at heart, selling newspapers and raising parakeets to help his family at a young age. After briefly attending Florida State University (FSU), DeSantis returned to Miami where began working his way up the ladder at Walgreens. He started as a stock boy and quickly rose to one for the chain’s youngest store managers.

DeSantis launched Sundown Vitamins in his garage and built it into the world’s largest vitamin manufacturer. With a constant eye on consumer demand, DeSantis created Sundown, an effective and inexpensive sunburn treatment. As consumers turned their attentions to nutrition and health products, Sundown Vitamins became Rexall Sundown, and under DeSantis’ guidance grew into a NASDAQ success and Fortune 100 company. Rexall Sundown is famously known for its multi-billion-dollar seller Osteo-Biflex.

DeSantis had a long history of philanthropy in South Florida, making donations to Florida universities such as Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and FSU. In 1998, what was then called NSU’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) inducted DeSantis into its Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame. He was honored by the school for his work in founding Rexall Sundown and for his support of charitable and educational institutions. Among other achievements was his establishment of the Rexall Sundown Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Center at the University of Miami’s (UM) Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Already named for H. Wayne Huizenga in 1999, NSU’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship received a $2 million gift from DeSantis in 2000. His gift put the university’s fund-raising campaign for the renamed H. Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship at a little more than $9 million, about two-thirds of the estimated cost of building and equipping the school.

When DeSantis visited the Davie campus in September 2012 for a speaking engagement with students, faculty, and staff, he spoke about the keys to success in business.

He told the audience to “look for voids in life,” to find consumer needs and demands and fill them. He advised “don’t ever put the brakes on,” to be persistent, dedicated, and hard-working to get the job done. He also advocated “knowing what you are capable of,” essentially understanding your strengths and skills, knowing what you need to achieve your goals, and surrounding yourself with good people. It was DeSantis’ blueprint for life.

Among DeSantis’ most notable investments were Celsius, a fitness drink and powder; Tabañero, an award-winning hot sauce; and Kwandwe, an eco-tourist resort in South Africa. He also invested in a few landmark real estate projects in South Florida. DeSantis owned 30 percent of Celsius shares, which skyrocketed in 2020, making DeSantis a billionaire.

In the words of his family, DeSantis left a memorable mark on the many lives through his “infectious laughter, warm smile, and genuine interest in others. His wisdom, guidance, and mentorship touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on their personal and professional journeys.”

It’s clear that he left his mark at NSU, too.

“His legacy of hard work, innovation, and generosity made him an ideal namesake for the building that houses NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship,” said Dr. George L. Hanbury, President and CEO of NSU. “He was a true inspiration.”

Posted 08/27/23