Ryan Nicol
Gov. Ron DeSantis is making several new appointments to the Florida Citrus Commission as citrus farmers continue pushing for relief.
DeSantis has named five new members to the Commission: Emma Ezell, Sean Frelich, Vernon Hollingsworth III, Daniel Hunt and Melanie Ressler. The Governor also reappointed five existing members in Steve Johnson, Carlos Martinez, William Poulton, Daniel Sutton and Patrick Schirard.
The 11-member Commission helps oversee Florida’s Department of Citrus, with members appointed by the Governor.
Faced with citrus greening and destruction from several severe storms, the industry has faced disappointing production levels in recent years.
Ezell will take over the District 3 seat. She works as a harvesting and hauling coordinator at Reynolds Farms, Inc. She also serves as a member of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and the Highlands County Planning and Zoning Committee.
Ezell earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Florida Southern College.
Frelich will represent statewide processors. He is the Vice President of Technical Services for Florida’s Natural Growers. Frelich also serves as President of the Florida Citrus Processors Association and is a past Chair of the Juice Products Association.
Frelich earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and chemistry from the University of Florida.
Both he and Ezell will serve until May 31, 2027.
Hollingsworth got the lengthiest term of the new lot, serving until May 31, 2028 in District 2.
He is the President of VCH Management, Inc. Hollingsworth has previously served as Chair of the Farm Service Agency and as a member of Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Nurseryman Association, and the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association.
He has a bachelor’s degree in citrus from Florida Southern College.
Hunt and Ressler will both serve terms that expire May 31, 2026. Both they and Ezell are younger members — all millennials — bringing a new generation of leadership to the Commission.
Hunt will represent District 5. He is the Vice President of Hunt Brothers Cooperative. He is also Chair of First Presbyterian Church, Treasurer of the Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation, Inc., and member of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute.
Hunt earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
Ressler will be the statewide packer representing the Indian River production area. She is the Co-Chief Executive Officer at IMG Enterprises, Inc.
She is a member of the Florida Citrus Packers Association Board, the Citrus Administrative Committee and the Rabobank Agricultural and Wholesale Advisory Boards. Ressler has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stetson University and got her master’s degree in business administration from the Paris Graduate School of Management.
As for the returning appointees, Johnson will continue to represent District 4. His term will run until May 31, 2028. He also serves as Chair of the Commission.
He is the President and Owner of Johnson Harvesting, Inc. and serves as Vice President of the Florida Farm Bureau. He is also a previous Chair of the Florida Farm Bureau Labor Committee and was a member of the Hardee County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors.
Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural operations management from the University of Florida.
Martinez and Poulton will both stay on as statewide processors on the Commission.
Martinez works as Procurement Manager for the Coca-Cola Company in Auburndale and previously served as a brand supply manager for Coca-Cola in Apopka. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida and his master’s degree in Christian theology from St. Leo University.
Martinez will serve until May 31, 2026, while Poulton’s term will run until May 31, 2028.
Poulton is the Senior Director of Global Procurement for Tropicana Products, Inc. He previously served as the Chair of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Council Board of Directors. Poulton has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duke.
Sutton will continue on as the Commission’s statewide large grower, serving until May 31, 2026. He is the President and General Manager of Alico Citrus. Sutton in the past has served on the Florida Citrus Mutual Board of Directors and the Gulf Citrus Association Board of Directors. He has a bachelor’s degree in citrus from Florida Southern College.
Schirard will remain representing District 6 on the Commission. He is the Director of Citrus Extracts, LLC and is President of the Indian River Citrus League.
Schirard also previously served as President of the Florida Citrus Production Managers Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida.
The appointments, made late Friday, are subject to Senate confirmation.
