Publix Manager Elected to Oversee State Department of Citrus

Publix marketing manager Douglas Ackerman has been elected by the Bartow-based Florida Citrus Commission as the new executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.

The committee voted 5-4 to approve Ackermans hiring and enter negotiations with him for a $190,000-250,000 salary range, according to The Packer, the citrus industry newspaper.

Ackerman replaces Ken Keck, who resigned in August.

A 22-year military veteran, Ackerman started with Publix in 2005. He was one of 114 people who applied for the Citrus job.

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