U.S. Sugar, a Clewiston, Fla.-based producer of sugar cane, citrus fruit and sweet corn, has announced that executive vice president Kenneth W. McDuffie has assumed the role of president and CEO, succeeding Robert H. Buker Jr. McDuffie steps into the role with more than 30 years of agriculture leadership experience in ag operations, precision agriculture technology, research, business strategy and finance, according to a release from the company.
McDuffie has been executive vice president of U.S. Sugar since 2021, assisting Baker in all strategic and political matters, and having oversight of the company’s ag operations, including citrus agriculture and research, railroad operations and industry/grower relations. McDuffie also oversaw Rouge River Farms, U.S. Sugar’s locally grown vegetables division.
McDuffie has worked for U.S. Sugar since 1992, starting as a farm assistant with the company and working his way up. During his tenure, he led efforts to develop a technologically advanced and productive harvesting fleet for the company.