Three Warrington alumni named to 2025 40 Gators Under 40
A brand marketing leader, a specialty finance entrepreneur and a payments technology founder represent the Warrington College of Business on this year’s list of outstanding alumni named to the 40 Gators Under 40 by the University of Florida Alumni Association.
The 40 Gators Under 40 honors alumni who are going greater in their communities and professions, continuing the tradition of the Outstanding Young Alumni event, which honored alumni achievements that positively impacted The Gator Nation from 2006-2018.
Read more about the outstanding alumni representing the Warrington College of Business on the 2025 40 Gators Under 40 list.
Daniel Betancourt (MBA ’17)
Director of Brand Management and Creative Development | Brightline Trains
Betancourt is an accomplished brand marketing leader with over 17 years of professional experience. Raised in Florida by his spirited Cuban American family, whose roots trace back to their escape from communist Cuba, Betancourt embodies a dynamic and down-to-earth approach in both his personal and professional life.
He began his academic pursuits at the University of Central Florida, where he earned degrees in Advertising and Public Relations, as well as Business Management. In 2017, he earned an MBA from the University of Florida while balancing his coursework with a demanding role at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. His dedication led to two promotions there, showcasing his commitment and resilience.
Betancourt’s professional career includes notable roles at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Orlando Health and Travel + Leisure. He currently serves as the Director of Brand Management and Creative Development at Brightline Trains, where he oversees the brand and creative services department and leads the company’s creative agency partners. His extensive experience underscores his expertise in brand strategy and creative development, even while battling acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Betancourt is profoundly dedicated to community service. He is the Founding Chair of the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Young Professionals Committee. His involvement with the Orlando Economic Partnership and the Downtown Orlando Partnership further underscores his commitment to regional development. As a member of Leadership Florida and Vice Chairman of the Board for the Downtown Arts District in Orlando, Betancourt’s contributions highlight his significant impact on both his profession and community.
Darren Palestine (BSBA ’06, MIB ’09)
Managing Partner | Commercial Finance Partners
Aa Gator alumnus, Palestine attributes many of his accomplishments to the foundational education he received at the University of Florida. In 2014, Palestine took a leap of faith and founded a business focusing on specialty finance. Since then, the company has achieved numerous milestones, including being named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list from 2016 to 2019, thanks to its rapid revenue growth and performance.
Within the specialty finance industry, Palestine was recognized in 2021 by the Secured Finance Network as a 40 Under 40 award recipient. His company has also received various industry accolades for its innovation in merging direct lending with advisory services through proprietary technology platforms. This groundbreaking approach has helped bridge the gap in the traditionally fragmented finance sector, allowing lenders to collaborate through strategic relationships and providing small business owners with a broader array of financing options.
Since its inception, Palestine’s company has facilitated over $1 billion in commitments, funding more than 1,500 businesses, each with unique needs that the company has been able to solve. Proudly maintaining a perfect Google review rating, the company has established itself as a leader in client satisfaction. It has also been named one of the best places to work in the industry by the Secured Finance Network for three consecutive years.
One of Palestine’s proudest achievements was winning the Gator 100 award for fastest-growing companies in 2023, bringing his journey full circle and underscoring the entrepreneurial spirit fostered at the University of Florida. Today, he leads a team of 14 employees, creating a collaborative, diverse and innovative environment that continues to drive success for both employees and clients alike.
Sal Rehmetullah (BSBA ’10)
CEO & Co-Founder | Worth
Rehmetullah is an accomplished entrepreneur known for his transformative impact on the payments technology industry. Graduating early from the University of Florida with a major in finance, Rehmetullah’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, founding his first startup at 19. This experience allowed him to master business planning, marketing, finance and operations.
He later founded and led Stax Payments, propelling it to become one of America’s top 10 fastest-growing fintech companies and achieving unicorn status as a billion-dollar technology platform. Today, Rehmetullah is the co-CEO and founder of Worth, an all-in-one AI-powered platform set to revolutionize underwriting and onboarding processes across financial institutions, fintech companies, high-tech firms, payment facilitators, ISVs and insurance providers.
Rehmetullah’s achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Orlando Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and among Florida Trend’s Florida 500. With his innovative approach and leadership, Rehmetullah continues to drive growth and innovation in the technology industry.