Shane Byers Selected for Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leader Development Program

Florida Crystals is excited that Shane Byers, Senior Fleet Manager, has been selected for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leader Development Program, which is highly regarded in our industry for building the next generation of agricultural champions.

The program develops participants who have an agricultural background by educating them on broader agricultural issues, helping them build industry relationships and preparing them to become stronger leaders in their organizations.

“I'm very excited for the FFVA Emerging Leader Development Program,” Shane said. “The end goal for me is to become a better leader. I am honored that I was thought of and selected as the person to represent the company. It feels special.”

Beginning in November, the program will give Shane the opportunity to connect with peers from across Florida’s agricultural community, including representatives from different sectors such as vegetables and citrus. Through networking, site visits and educational experiences, participants learn more about the challenges, regional operations and opportunities shaping agriculture across Florida and beyond.

For Shane, that includes planned trips to Tallahassee during legislative sessions to acquire further knowledge of the political and policy side of agriculture as well as visits to agricultural operations outside the state, including California. He sees the program as a chance to sharpen his leadership skills, broaden his industry knowledge and bring back insights that can benefit our organization as we continue developing our next generation of leaders.

Shane has been a proud member of Florida Crystals for 11 years. In his role, he oversees our on-road fleet and agricultural fleet, including tractors, implements and other equipment used across farm operations. He works closely with maintenance and procurement teams to keep equipment running efficiently. Shane also develops fleet rotation plans and long-term forecasts to ensure we have the right equipment in place to support current and future farm operations.

Shane’s selection reflects not only his experience across farm operations and fleet management but also the pride he takes in representing the company and helping share the story of agriculture with others.

“I’ve always enjoyed working for Florida Crystals,” Shane said. “I feel like I’m part of the family here. Working for a place that makes me proud makes it feel like more than a job. I enjoy getting up for work every morning. It’s a beautiful drive out to the farm every day looking at all the green fields and watching the sun come up.”