Barbara Carlton is planning to end her 20-year career with Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association, setting June 1, 2014 as her departure date.
Carlton notes she will miss working for such a great group of people stating, “It has been my honor to serve the outstanding individuals that make PRVCGA such a dynamic organization. I will dearly miss everyone and being a part of an organization focused keenly on the well-being of local citrus growers. Being a part of this membership has provided me with so many personal highlights to hold dear.”
Carlton is the second Executive Director of PRVCGA, taking the helm in 1994. Cal Cobb, the first executive director, left the association after six months to return home to New York State. Carlton left a 10-year career at Farm Credit of Southwest Florida to accept the new challenge. She accredits her time there for giving her a strong foundational knowledge of the members and their businesses, multitasking and organizational skills and a belief in notable customer service. “There is no substitute for a personal relationship, even in today’s high-tech world”, she notes. “I have been blessed with many.”
Plans are under way to ease the transition, and the board is actively engaged in assuring her departure is seamless. Carlton has been working with the board for the past year planning her exit, leaving the leadership time to make necessary plans. In response, the 2013 and 2014 board of directors have made significant strides in assuring the association is prepared for this new chapter.
They are currently finalizing the future planning process, started with appointment of a Long Range Planning Committee, which met at the end of last year. They were charged with looking at all aspects of the association, and the transition process to recommend the proper path for the association in the coming years. Committee members were charged to consider nothing sacred as they examined the association structure, set future goals and made recommendations on achieving those goals. The Long Range Planning Committee recommendations are currently being examined by the board, and a final strategic plan will be adopted.
An Executive Director Search Committee has created a job description, prioritizing the duties of the new executive director and will be accepting resumes through March, with an anticipated start date in mid-May. More information about the position can be found on the association web site and applications can be sent to prcitrusapplications@gmail.com.