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Bill Lennon, Lennon Grove Service, Inc.

Growing up in a citrus family, Bill Lennon worked with his father in the groves during summers and weekends before going to work for ABC Citrus Caretaking after graduating from the University of Florida. In 2000 he purchased that business while also taking over the family’s Lennon Grove Service.

Triangle: Where are you from?
Lennon: I was born and raised in East Orange County. East of Orlando in Union Park Florida.

Triangle: What is your educational background?
Lennon: I graduated from Colonial High School in 1983.Valencia Community College for my AA. Then transferred to University Of Florida where I received my B.S. degree in Agriculture/ Fruit Crops in 1988.

Triangle: What is your business/grove name?
Lennon: My company name is Lennon Grove Service, Inc. I also own multiple groves throughout the State of Florida.

Triangle: Please give me a little history on your business.
Lennon: I started working at ABC Citrus Caretaking for Skip Wilson. After the owner Bob Hester died in 1996, I purchased the business in January 2000. At that time I also took over Lennon Grove Service, Inc. as president and owner which was my fathers business since 1972.

Triangle: What other jobs/positions have you held?
Lennon: Coming from a Citrus Growing family I have always worked in the groves from a young teenager helping out my father working summers and weekends. Until being hired at ABC Citrus as a Production Manager.

Triangle: What is your first memory in a grove or the industry?
Lennon: My first memory in a grove was driving a 730 Case tractor with my dad while standing on the seat as a very young boy.

Triangle: Who or what were the key influences in your life related to citrus?
Lennon: My Dad was a huge influence on me. He taught me work ethic and the value of honesty. Skip Wilson also was very influential in my life as a mentor who encouraged me and gave the knowledge and valuable insight in the citrus industry.

Triangle: What do you find the most challenging about being in the citrus industry?
Lennon: Greening, Greening & Greening. However, the problems of the past – Diaprepes, rust mites, weeds and grassy spot have not left us. Greening has just added a huge weight to our trailer.

Triangle: What advice would you give someone thinking about getting in to the citrus industry?
Lennon: Go to school. It gives you an education. Find a job in the business while in school because there is no substitute for real life and on the job experience.

Triangle: What do you think will change about the industry in the next five years?
Lennon: Who knows what changes will come to this industry. There are other diseases in the world we don’t have yet. When will they get here? We just have to be prepared, put your head down and keep pushing through. Only time will tell. Who would have thought with the production in the upper 150s, the prices of earlies would be in the 70s?

Triangle: If you weren’t working in citrus what would you be doing for a living?
Lennon: This is all I have ever known, I’m not qualified to do anything else, It’s all I ever done. I do have some cattle maybe I’d get in the cow business.

Triangle: What do you like to do when not working?
Lennon: Spending time with family wife Kim, 3 boys Will 18, Zane 16 and Matthew 7. I enjoy taking my airboat out on the St. Johns , hunting with my 3 boys and messing around with my 641/2 Ford Mustang that I have had since I was 14 years old.

Triangle: What is one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
Lennon: That I am a 4th generation East Orange County Citrus Grower.

Triangle: Why is it important to be a Mutual member?
Lennon: It is important to be a mutual member because they are our voice in the State and Federal Government. Mutual looks out for our best interest when we are not there to represent ourselves. I feel it is very important to be a part of an organization and show support because there is strength in numbers.