Keith Mixon Appointed To Farm Credit Of Central Florida Board

Farm Credit of Central Florida chairman of the board, David J. Stanford, announced Keith D. Mixon, of Winter Haven has been appointed to the cooperative’s board of directors to fill an open seat effective until the next director election in April 2013. “Keith’s blend of youthful enthusiasm and innovative spirit will greatly augment the existing expertise already on our board,” said Stanford.

Mixon serves as President of Dole Berry Company LLC. Dole is a subsidiary of Dole Foods and is the second largest grower and distributor of fresh berries to the wholesale and food service markets in North America. Dole packages and distributes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries for various independent growers located in North and Latin America.

Dole Berry Company was formed in the fourth quarter of 2011 as a result of its acquisition of SunnyRidge Farms. SunnyRidge was a family business owned and operated since 1993 by Keith and his siblings. Mixon served as president and CEO from 2004 until the Dole acquisition in 2011.

Established by Keith’s father, Gerald, who was recently inducted into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame, SunnyRidge sales skyrocketed under the younger Mixon’s guidance from 65 to 200 million pounds. “Farm Credit of Central Florida Members will benefit greatly from having a proven, highly successful, executive with vast knowledge of the berry industry on our board,” said Farm Credit of Central Florida President and CEO, Reggie Holt.