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BARTOW, Fla. – The Florida Citrus Commission gained a new commissioner Wednesday with the appointment of Dan Casper, of Southern Gardens Citrus.

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Casper to the seat previously held by Virgina Pena. Casper represents District 3, which includes much of Florida’s Gulf coast and the southern portion of the state.

Scott also announced the reappointment of Ellis Hunt Jr. and Marty McKenna, who currently serves as chairman of the FCC. Both of their terms had expired in June.

“We are grateful to Governor Scott for these appointments and are very thankful for the continued service of Chairman McKenna and Commissioner Hunt,” said Doug Ackerman, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “We look forward to the energy and insights Commissioner Casper will bring to the Commission.”

Casper, 57, of Fort Myers, serves as vice president of procurement, sales and marketing at Southern Gardens Citrus, one of Florida’s largest citrus growers.

Hunt, of Babson Park, is president of Hunt Brothers Inc. McKenna, of Sebring, is owner of McKenna Associates Citrus.

Terms for all three end June 30, 2017. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

About the Florida Citrus Commission

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) 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. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.