Kristi Joyner on April 1 succeeded Brenda Eubanks Burnette as executive director of both the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame (FCHOF) and the Miss Florida Citrus program.
BACKGROUND AND GOALS
“I started my career in political campaigns and grass roots advocacy, working on numerous successful congressional, state legislative and county commission campaigns,” Joyner said. “I spent many years as a community relations specialist for ASAP Prints before leaving in 2019 to raise our special needs son who was adopted through the state foster system. I have served in various roles throughout the community, including the inaugural committee to organize the American Cancer Society Polk County Boots and Pearls fundraiser as well as a board member for Top Buttons, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable and educational organization building self-worth in young women. I advocate for children in the foster care system and serve on the Women’s Executive Committee of the Bartow Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, where I also teach a weekly Bible study for young women. I also competed in the Miss Florida scholarship program and was the first runner up.
“These experiences have provided me with a broad base of knowledge to apply to preparing for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame luncheon, preparing Miss Florida Citrus to be a representative of the industry and broadening the scope of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. My hope for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is to continue its recognition of industry leaders who have been an integral part and significant contributors to the citrus industry in the state as well as broaden our audience by conducting programs that educate, promote, preserve and communicate the importance and history of Florida citrus.
“For the Miss Florida Citrus program, we hope to both encourage and support women as they compete for the Miss Florida title but also provide them with insight to the citrus industry, relationships to the people involved and the opportunity to learn the issues and advocate for the needs of the industry.”
“I’m genuinely thrilled to welcome someone with Kristi’s experience and insight to the Hall of Fame,” Burnette said of her successor. “Her energy and fresh perspective are exactly what this organization — so close to my heart — needs as it continues to grow and evolve.”
THE BURNETTE YEARS
“I was originally executive director of the Florida Citrus Showcase (FCS) from 1988 to1993, during which time I also ran the FCHOF and the Miss Florida Citrus program, as those programs were part of the FCS,” Burnette said. “I became the executive director of the FCHOF in 2008 when we moved the FCHOF out from the Florida Citrus Showcase, which was being dissolved. I started the Miss Florida Citrus program back up in 2015 as part of the Miss America organization.”
Even while not on staff at the FCHOF and Miss Florida Citrus program, Burnette was an active volunteer for both organizations.
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