Content:
The information provided in this webpage is from public sources, stating the education and experience of the many scientists, administrators, and other government officials involved in citrus canker research and the CCEP.
During the program, the program was administerd by the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Craig Meyer. He reported to Bob Crawford until late 2001, when Charles Bronson became the Commissioner.
Neither Governor Chile nor Bush were key participants in the operation of the program. However, both governors signed key legislation, giving the FDACS additional powers to enter residential properties to destroy both infected and healthy trees.
The names and titles of some of the key participants are listed below, as they were during the eradication program.
Many of the key participants have retired from government service. Almost without exception, the key participants have long records of experience in challenges with Florida agriculture and governmental oversight responsibilities.
| Fl. Dept of Ag and Consumer Services Dept (FDACS) | |
| Bob Crawford | Commissioner |
| Charles Bronson | Commissioner |
| Craig Meyer | Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture |
| FDACS/ Division of Plant Industry (DPI) | |
| Richard Gaskalla | Director |
| USDA-APHIS/PPQ* | |
| Dr. Stephen Poe | Program Coordinator |
* USDA- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine.
Scientists:
Dr. Timothy Gottwald
Research Leader and Plant Pathologist, USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Subtropical Plant Pathology Group
2004 USDA Honors Top Scientists including Dr. Gottwald
Drs. Schubert, Sun, Dixon, Graham, Rizvi:
Biographical summaries from article published in Plant Disease, in 2001. Dr. Graham is a Professor at UF/IFAS and all other scientists work for FDACS/DPI.
Authors' Biographical Information from Plant Disease Article