The man chiefly responsible for the growth of The Moorings from 1971 to 1984 was Jorge Gonzalez, son of an old sherry-making family from Jerez-de-la-Frontera, Spain. In 1971, Jorge, his wife Leonor, and their son Boris moved from Madrid to Vero Beach, where Jorge assumed directorship of The Moorings Development Company.
When the family arrived, The Moorings was barely more than a handful of fingers of fill, jutting out into the Indian River. Only The Billows on the ocean side and some scattered homes existed. Both Jorge and Leonor were initially dismayed at the barren, lunar-like landscape and at the many problems besetting The Moorings at the time. Both however, took up the challenge with enthusiasm and vigor.