Governor appoints manufacturing director to commission

BRADENTON — Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Paul Meador, Steve Johnson and area resident William “Bill” Poulton to the Florida Citrus Commission.

Poulton, a Lakewood Ranch resident, is the director of manufacturing for Tropicana Products Inc., in Bradenton. Also the Manatee Chamber of Commerce chairman, Poulton is a citrus processor, represents District III and is appointed to a three-year term on the commission, according to a statement. Prior to his manufacturing career, he served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Ainsworth as a main propulsion assistant as well as a qualified surface warfare officer, the release adds. 

Meador, of Fort Denaud, is president of Everglades Harvesting & Hauling Inc. He is a citrus grower, represents District III and is appointed to a three-year term, the release states. Johnson, of Bowling Green, is the president and owner of Johnson Harvesting Inc. He is a citrus grower, represents District II and is appointed to a three-year term.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

The FCC is dedicated to overseeing and guiding the activities of the Florida Department of Citrus, conducting a variety of industry programs and regulating the quality standards of citrus grown in Florida.