Gov. Scott reappointed Commissioner Michael Garavaglia to the Florida Citrus Commission this week and added two new commissioners to the board.
BARTOW, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott filled three seats on the Florida Citrus Commission this week with the appointment of two new commissioners and reappointment of another.
Scott appointed Ned Hancock, of Sebring, and Francisco Pines, of Pinecrest, to new terms and reappointed Commissioner Michael Garavaglia Jr., of Vero Beach. Effective today, each appointment runs through June 30, 2016 and is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
“These appointments provide some valuable momentum as we plan for the new fiscal year and the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces,” said Douglas Ackerman, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
Garavaglia, president and general partner of The Packers of Indian River LTD, has served on the Commission since 2009 and currently chairs the International Marketing Committee.
“Commissioner Garavaglia has been a crucial voice, and his expertise in fresh fruit and exports would have been difficult to replace at this time,” Ackerman said.
Hancock, owner and president of Hancock Citrus Inc., filled the seat vacated by Jay Clark, who served on the Commission since 2010. Pines, owner and general counsel of Pines Ranch Inc., filled the seat vacated by Michael Taylor, who served on the Commission since 2007.
“We will certainly miss Commissioners Clark and Taylor, both of whom added tremendously to our agency and the industry, but we know they served well and are eager for new opportunities away from the demands of their commission seats,” Ackerman said. “Commissioners Hancock and Pines will bring new insights and perspectives to an already strong organization. We are looking forward to their leadership at an exciting time for Florida citrus.”
About the Florida Citrus Commission
The Florida Citrus Commission is the governing board of the Florida Department of Citrus, an executive agency of the Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. The commission is a nine-member board appointed by the governor to represent citrus growers, processors and packers. FDOC activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs nearly 76,000 people and provides an annual economic impact close to $9 billion to the state.
