Florida Citrus Commission adds two top executives
"We'll have some new eager guys ready to work; I'm excited," said Lake Wales-based grower Marty McKenna, chairman of the commission, the department's governing body, during its 30-minute meeting by telephone.
Shannon Shepp, 44, one of three deputy commissioners at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will start Aug. 2 as the deputy executive director of operations at the Citrus Department. She will earn a starting annual salary of $129,000.
Shepp worked in the state Agriculture Department's Winter Haven office for 12 years, rising to director of the Fruit and Vegetables Division there before becoming a deputy commissioner. She previously worked as an aide to then-state Rep. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, for three years and as a public relations representative for three years at Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual.
"Her combined experience makes her a natural to help us face the challenges in the Florida citrus industry," Executive Director Doug Ackerman said.
Shepp succeeds Bob Norberg, who resigned in March.
The commission approved a $100,000 annual salary for Michael Schadler of Seattle, who will start Aug. 12 as director of international marketing.
Schadler has worked since 2006 as an international marketing account manager for Bryant Christie Inc., a Seattle-based international marketing consultant.
Previously he lived and worked in Chile for five years.
Florida law requires the Citrus Commission publicly approve salaries of $100,000 or more.
Source: theledger.com
