Citrus veteran Jim McCranie retiring from Seald Sweet
Citrus veteran Jim McCranie retiring from Seald Sweet
Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, announced the retirement of Jim McCranie, senior vice president of exports, effective Sept. 1. Mr. McCranie will be succeeded by Les Crocker, who was formerly with A. Duda & Sons.
Mr. McCranie was with Seald Sweet for over 41 years and played a key role in the development of its export programs, providing Asian and European customers with millions of cartons of fresh citrus during his career. He joined Seald Sweet in 1967 in the product placement department and later moved into sales. He advanced with the company over the years, becoming vice president of export sales in the mid-1980s.
Mr. McCranie is regarded as one of the industry pioneers and is credited with gaining market access to Japan, Europe and, more recently, Taiwan and China. He is considered by Seald Sweet's Japanese partners as a true ambassador for the Florida citrus industry, which grew from nominal volumes in the early 1970s to over 12 million cartons per year and Florida's top export market prior to 2004.
Mr. McCranie was involved in innovative product development programs, such as the introduction of high-Brix grapefruit to further develop market demand in Japan. Throughout his career, he was active with Florida industry associations such as Florida Citrus Packers, Florida Department of Citrus and Indian River Citrus League, as well as with the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association at the national level.
Mr. McCranie was with Seald Sweet for over 41 years and played a key role in the development of its export programs, providing Asian and European customers with millions of cartons of fresh citrus during his career. He joined Seald Sweet in 1967 in the product placement department and later moved into sales. He advanced with the company over the years, becoming vice president of export sales in the mid-1980s.
Mr. McCranie is regarded as one of the industry pioneers and is credited with gaining market access to Japan, Europe and, more recently, Taiwan and China. He is considered by Seald Sweet's Japanese partners as a true ambassador for the Florida citrus industry, which grew from nominal volumes in the early 1970s to over 12 million cartons per year and Florida's top export market prior to 2004.
Mr. McCranie was involved in innovative product development programs, such as the introduction of high-Brix grapefruit to further develop market demand in Japan. Throughout his career, he was active with Florida industry associations such as Florida Citrus Packers, Florida Department of Citrus and Indian River Citrus League, as well as with the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association at the national level.
