Bartow, FL (October 8,2025) The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced the inductees for the Class of 2026, including Brenda Eubanks Burnette, Kristen Carlson, James “Doc” Redd (deceased), and Dr. L.W. Timmer. The four distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on March 27, 2026 at the George W. Jenkins Fieldhouse at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
Brenda Eubanks Burnette is being honored for her decades of service in the field of marketing, promotion and historical preservation of the industry. Brenda’s involvement with the Florida citrus industry began when she was crowned Miss Florida Citrus in 1981. When her reign ended, she went on to serve as spokesperson for the Department of Citrus before moving into her role as the Executive Director of the Florida Citrus Showcase. Following her retirement, Brenda has continued to dedicate her time to volunteer roles with the Miss Florida Citrus Scholarship program, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, publications and fundraising.
Kristen Carlson has served Florida citrus for more than four decades providing both legal expertise and leadership in all areas of the industry. Kristen has 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, taking the groundbreaking and industry-revitalizing program from conception to implementation.
James “Doc” Redd served as an educator, researcher and author for the benefit of the Florida citrus industry. As an educator, Doc was an organic chemistry professor at the University of Florida and was involved in establishing the first citrus department at Florida Southern College where he taught citrus related classes. As a researcher, he developed the Redd Essence Recovery System and the process for flavoring FCOJ with the addition of citrus oils and essences. 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 served as 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 University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center (UF-CREC) in Lake Alfred leading the way for generations of researchers and providing critical support to growers.
For more information contact Kristi Joyner at (863) 221-4300 or [email protected].
