Tellus Products’ Aaron Rowley Showcases the Power of Opportunity and Hard Work

Aaron Rowley serves as a Maintenance Lead at our Tellus Products facility in Belle Glade, Florida, which makes single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice products made from plant fibers including sugarcane.

Growing up in Belle Glade, Aaron learned early that determination and opportunity can open doors to a brighter future. Aaron’s story began at Lake Shore Middle School, where he was awarded a scholarship from Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County that would change the course of his life.

“Some things seemed out of reach growing up, especially college,” said Aaron. “But that changed when I was introduced to Take Stock in Children.”

The program eased the financial burden of pursuing higher education. Florida Crystals has a long-standing partnership with Take Stock in Children, supporting hundreds of students in our Glades communities through funding for scholarships and mentoring programs. For Aaron, it meant being able to focus on learning without the constant stress of tuition costs, something he says also lifted a weight off his parents.

“It’s just nice to not have that much pressure on you as you're attending school,” Aaron said. “It made it easier to focus on learning instead of worrying about finances.”

With the support of a dedicated mentor and the Take Stock in Children team, Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree in Project Management from Palm Beach State College in 2020, graduating debt-free.

Aaron is not just an accomplished professional at Tellus. He is a family man, community volunteer and advocate for staying focused on your goals.

“The most important things are to have a common goal, help other people when they need help and keep moving forward,” he said.

He encourages others to support programs like Take Stock in Children, which provide life-changing opportunities to students who might otherwise see college as out of reach.

Aaron’s journey is a powerful reminder that when talent, determination and opportunity come together, the results can be transformative.