Charles H. Bronson served as Florida’s 10th elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services from 2001 until his retirement in January 2011. Florida’s Department of Agriculture is the largest in the country and employs more than 3,700 employees. In addition to overseeing the state’s vast agriculture industry, Mr. Bronson helped market Fresh From Florida products all over the globe. His efforts resulted in a significant increase in foreign exports in excess of $3B during his tenure. Additionally, safeguarding the food supply, protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices and managing approximately one million acres of state forests were important aspects of his position. In 2007, he created Florida’s Farm to Fuel Program with the support of the Florida Legislature and the Governor. Mr. Bronson also served on the Florida Cabinet with the Governor, Attorney General and Chief Financial Officer. His responsibilities on the Cabinet included clemency issues, overseeing state land-buying programs and directing the operations of several state agencies. As a member of the Southern Association of States Departments of Agriculture (SASDA), Mr. Bronson also served as President of the association from 2004 to 2005. Also a member of the National Association of States Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), he served for seven years as the Chairman of the International Trade and Marketing Committee.

Mr. Bronson was elected to the Florida State Senate in 1994, re-elected in 1998 and served until becoming the Commissioner of Agriculture in 2001. He served as Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

Born into a ranching family in Kissimmee, Florida, Mr. Bronson comes from a family that traces its long agricultural roots to 1635 as each generation of the family has been in farming since that date. Mr. Bronson received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal and meat sciences and agricultural education and engineering from the University of Georgia in 1973. He worked in the fertilizer, chemical and sod business before managing the family’s cattle business in Central Florida. He currently owns and operates a perennial peanut hay farm in Madison County. A certified law enforcement officer, Mr. Bronson served as a reserve deputy in both Miami-Dade and Brevard counties. As Commissioner, he managed an Agricultural Law Enforcement Division of 275 sworn officers.

Charles resides in Tallahassee, FL with his wife of 39 years, the former Regina Bolden of Macon, GA. They have 2 daughters, Michelle and Melanie, and 2 grandsons, Bronson and Jacob, both under the age of 2.