By: Rachel Surmacz - FCHoF Student Fellow
This year, as it has for the past 62 years, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame will be holding its annual banquet and induction ceremonies. This historical event will be taking place at Florida Southern College on March 27th. There are four inductees this year who will be honored at this event:
Brenda Eubanks Burnette-Beginning her journey as Miss Florida Citrus in 1981, Brenda Eubanks Burnette was inducted for her decades of service in the field of marketing, promotion and historical preservation of the industry. After passing on her title as Miss Florida Citrus, Brenda served as spokesperson for the Department of Citrus and moved into her role as the Executive Director of the Florida Citrus Showcase. She has continued to dedicate her occupation and volunteer time in roles with the Miss Florida Citrus Scholarship program, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, publications and fundraising.
Kristen Carlson-Kristen Carlson’s service to the industry spans decades as she served as general counsel for the Florida Department of Citrus, the executive director of the Florida Citrus Processors Association and the original executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program, securing funding and building the framework for the program combining the need for data collection and organization while putting much needed trees in the ground.
James “Doc” Redd– Doc Redd served as an educator, researcher and entrepreneur for the benefit of the citrus industry. As an educator, Doc was an organic chemistry professor and served as the first director of the citrus school at Florida Southern College where he taught citrus related classes. As a researcher, Doc Redd developed the Redd Essence Recovery System and developed the process for flavoring FCOJ with the addition of citrus oils and essences. As an entrepreneur he founded Redd Laboratories and Intercit Inc. the founding companies of Florida’s international citrus flavor industry. As an author Doc Redd published works on citrus processing and quality control which are used by technicians in the processing industry to this day.
Dr. L.W. “Pete” Timmer-Dr. Timmer was an educator and researcher, spending decades researching a variety of diseases impacting citrus in the areas of etiology, epidemiology and control of fungal and bacterial diseases of citrus fruit and foliage. He spent 29 years at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) University of Florida, Lake Alfred. He was a professor, published researcher and resource and advocate for growers.
(Information pulled from the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website: https://floridacitrushalloffame.com/2025/10/florida-citrus-hall-of-fame-inductees-chosen-for-2026/)
Participants are invited to join the citrus industry as they celebrate yet another year of milestones in Florida, and honor the men and women who have been invaluable to this industry since its inception.
