Tallahassee - Monday August 8, 2022: Governor Ron DeSantis has made the following 19 appointments and re-appoints:
Nine re-appointed to the Florida Citrus Commission
Christopher Groom - Groom is the Chief Operating Officer of Florida’s Natural Growers. He currently serves as the Vice President and Treasurer of Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. Groom earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Hispanic studies from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in international business studies from the University of South Carolina.
Steve Johnson - Johnson is the President and Owner of Johnson Harvesting, Inc. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural operations management from the University of Florida.
Carlos Martinez - Martinez is a Procurement Manager for The Coca-Cola Company. Previously, he was Brand Supply Manager for The Coca-Cola Company and a Distribution Manager for Cutrate Juices. Martinez earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida and his master’s degree in Christian theology from Saint Leo University.
Martin McKenna - McKenna is the President and Owner of McKenna and Associations Citrus, Inc. He is a past Chairman of the Florida Department of Citrus, past President of Florida Citrus Mutual, and a past President of the Highlands County Growers Association. McKenna earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida.
Paul Meador, Jr. - Meador is the President of Everglades Harvesting, Inc. and Everglades Agricultural Services, Inc. He is Vice President of the Florida Citrus Mutual. Meador serves on the Executive Committee of both the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the National Council of Agricultural Employees.
William Poulton - Poulton is the Senior Director of Global Procurement for Tropicana Products, Inc. and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Citrus Processors Association. He is a veteran of the United States Navy after serving on the USS Ainsworth as a Main Propulsion Assistant as well as a Qualified Surface Warfare Officer. Poulton earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duke University.
John “Pat” Schirard - Schirard is the Director of Citrus Extracts, LLC and former President of Indian River Select, LLC. He serves on the Indian River Citrus League Board of Directors and is a member of Florida Citrus Mutual. Schirard earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food, and resource economics from the University of Florida.
John Smoak - Smoak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Smoak Groves, Inc. He is a board member of Florida’s Natural Growers, Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, and Heartland National Bank. Smoak earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
Daniel Sutton - Sutton is the President and General Manager of Alico Citrus, Inc. He is the Vice President of Gulf Citrus Growers and serves on the Florida Citrus Mutual Board of Directors. Sutton earned his bachelor’s degree in citrus business from Florida Southern College.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Four appointed to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Trustees
Christine Chapman - Chapman is the Owner of All American Air Conditioning and Heating. Previously, she worked at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind for 18 years as a teacher and staffing specialist. Chapman serves as President of the All-American Air Charitable Foundation and is past President of the Junior League of St. Augustine. Chapman earned her bachelor’s degree in special education and her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
Ralph Hadley - Hadley is a Shareholder at Maynard Cooper & Gale, LLP. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. Hadley is the owner of Aunt Zelma’s Blueberries, a member of the Florida Bar, and was awarded the President’s Florida Bar Pro Bono Service Award. Hadley earned his bachelor’s in economics and juris doctorate from the University of Florida.
Owen McCaul - McCaul is an Assistant State Attorney and serves as General Counsel for the State Attorney of the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lighthouse of the Big Bend. McCaul earned his bachelor’s degree from Flagler College and juris doctorate from Florida State University.
Dr. Thomas Zavelson - Dr. Zavelson is a retired Pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida School of Medicine. He is a veteran of the United States Army Medical Corps and was a founding member with the Pediatric Associates of Gainesville. Dr. Zavelson earned his bachelor’s degree and medical degree from Duke University.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Three appointed to the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees
Lori Kelley - Kelley, of Fort Walton Beach, is a certified public accountant at Warren Averett, LLC. She is past National President of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, and past Chair of both the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. Kelley earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of West Florida.
Jack “Tanner” Peacock - Peacock, of Santa Rosa Beach, is a Broker Associate at Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. He was appointed as a Walton County Planning Commissioner and is a member of both the National and Florida Associations of Realtors. Peacock earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Auburn University.
Dr. Jon Ward - Dr. Ward, of Inlet Beach, is a Dermatologist at Dermatology Specialists of Florida and Founder of Bay County Taxpayers, LLC. He is also a Managing Partner at Southeastern Dermatology Group and the Legislative Chairman of the Emerald Coast Medical Society. Dr. Ward earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Two appointed to the State Apprenticeship Advisory Council
Karen Nichols - Nichols, of Kissimmee, is the Training Director for the Central Florida Mechanical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. Nichols is the Secretary of the Central Florida Association of Apprenticeship Administrators and is a member of the Florida Apprenticeship Conference.
Robert Tidwell - Tidwell, of Apopka, is an Instructor for Orange County Public Schools and a Coordinator and Assistant Director for the Florida Electrical Apprenticeship and Training. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Tidwell is a member of the Florida Association of Electrical Contractors and the Classroom Teachers Association.