From the Ground Up: The Inspiring Journeys of Mellishia Cormack and Sarabeth Salmeron

Our commitment to employee development is best seen through our people. The career paths of the Distribution Center’s Production Supervisors Mellishia Cormack and Sarabeth Salmeron are powerful examples of how dedication and opportunity can combine to create exceptional leaders. Both began their journeys here with no background in the sugarcane/agricultural industry but have since become invaluable supervisors and contributors to our team.

Mellishia’s story at Florida Crystals began on a whim in 2018. A friend encouraged her to apply, and despite having no prior experience in our industry, she took a chance. Her first two weeks as a utility employee were challenging, and she briefly considered returning to her old job as a certified nursing assistant. However, with her husband's encouragement, she persevered.

Perseverance is a common theme that fueled Mellishia’s career path. “In my vocabulary, there is no such phrase as ‘I can’t do it,’” she said. “I don’t ever tell myself that I can’t do something.”

Today, Mellishia oversees 28 employees and 14 packaging lines, which include both bulk and retail lines. She ensures that our sugar flows from the mill to the DC and the operation line runs seamlessly.

When Mellishia was new to the company, she embraced the challenges, finding that each day brought a new opportunity to learn. "Every day you work, you learn something new," she says. "I like to get challenged."

This mindset propelled her forward. After initially coming up short on her Operator test, she didn't give up. She tried again, passed and moved into a Machine Operator role in 2020. Her continuous drive and desire to learn was noticed, and with a push from her manager, she stepped into a Team Lead position in 2022, a role she found came naturally. In 2024, she was promoted to Production Supervisor, a key role in the DC.

Sarabeth found her way to the DC in 2017 after her position at a local elementary school was eliminated. She needed to provide for her children and was willing to try something new. Sarabeth started as a Utility employee and, like Mellishia, faced a steep learning curve in the beginning. The first week in heavy steel-toed boots was particularly memorable.

Her motivation was clear: her children. The drive to support her family led Sarabeth to prove her capabilities. She quickly moved to a Machine Operator role in 2018 and became one of the first Team Leads in 2020. In 2021, she earned the title of Production Supervisor. Today, she oversees the packaging of Specialty sugars, but she’s not one to stay behind a desk. She enjoys getting outside in the field, contributing and getting her hands dirty.

Sarabeth had both a local and family connection to the company, as she grew up in South Bay and her father, Reynolds Tosado, Sr., worked here for 40 years as a heavy equipment operator. That upbringing resulted in her deep appreciation for the company's root-to-recipe process when it comes to our sugar products. "Not everybody gets to experience the whole farm-to-table process like I do," she says.

The parallel paths of Mellishia and Sarabeth highlight one of our core values: opportunity is available to those who apply themselves. They prove that a successful career here isn’t about where you start, but about your dedication, willingness to learn and the supportive environment that empowers you to grow.