ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN

David Steele, Director of Public Relations for the Department of Citrus, says that every aspect of the citrus industry is under attack because of greening, resulting in the lowest production levels in his lifetime. But, there’s reason to hope. Bartow-based, Steele and his PR team are responsible for all aspects of FDOC’s public relations, including media relations, strategic communication, industry relations, social media and brand management.

Prior to assuming his FDOC post, David Steele served as Associate Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs at Polk State College, and also served in a similar capacity at USF Polytechnic University and as the Executive Director of the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.

Steele is a third generation Floridian and a graduate of Ashland University (B.A., history) and the University of Notre Dame (M.A., political science). He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Lakeland, and Leadership Polk and completed doctoral coursework in Communication at the University of South Florida.

David and his wife, Shannon, live in Lakeland with their daughter, Savannah Grace, and son, Freddie. Also, he once made someone in the south of France laugh and therefore considers himself to be an internationally recognized humorist.