Feb 5, 2021

New director of labor relations named by Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named James “Jamie” Fussell, Jr. as its new director of labor relations. He replaces Mike Carlton, who retired in November.

Fussell comes to The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Office of General Counsel in Tampa. Prior to that, he held various positions in the public sector, including with the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Jamie grew up in the agricultural industry in south Florida,” said FFVA President Mike Joyner. “His unique understanding of the industry coupled with his legal experience will be an asset and important resource for our members. We are very pleased Jamie has decided to join our team.”

A graduate of the University of Florida, Fussell holds a bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics with an international specialization. He went on to earn his juris doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. A member of The Florida Bar, Fussell is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Florida.

“It is my sincere privilege to join FFVA’s team of forward-thinking professionals in serving our members by advancing the initiatives that will ensure their workforce and labor needs are met,” Fussell said.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is a full-service organization serving Florida’s grower-shipper community since 1943. FFVA represents a broad range of crops: vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugarcane, tree crops and more. Its mission is to enhance the business and competitive environment for producing and marketing fruits, vegetables and other crops.