DUDA consolidates execs in Oviedo

By Jenna Rew | May 13, 2009

OVIEDO - Business is brightening in Oviedo as DUDA Corporation, a family-owned company with operations in agriculture and real estate across the world, works to consolidate all of its chief executive positions at its Oviedo parent headquarters.

"It has more value to the company to have the executive leaders of operations in one location," said Susan Howard, director of corporate communications for DUDA.

She said having the executive team of all of DUDA's operations in one location would help the company to stay focused on both its individual operations as well as its overall business as a consolidated corporation.

Having the whole team together, she said, would offer the company the best opportunity to work toward the company's business goals.

DUDA is comprised of four major companies: Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., Duda Products Inc., The Viera Company and Duda Ranches.

The DUDA corporation began in Oviedo more than 80 years ago and has grown to become one of the world's largest producers of celery with diverse operations in Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, Mexico, Chile, Spain and South Africa.

The company employs nearly 1,200 seasonal employees and 700 full-time employees across the U.S., 563 of which are in Florida.

Of the Florida employees, 105 of those are in Oviedo and Seminole County.

Further, according to an e-mail from Howard, in 2008, the company's consolidated revenues were $496 million.

"DUDA is one of our most stellar businesses in the area," said Mayor Mary Lou Andrews. "They are a very strong economic driver."

Andrews said she is pleased that DUDA has chosen to consolidate in the city and is prepared to welcome future business efforts in the company with open arms.

"It's a bright spot for the local economy," she said.

Paul Partyka, president of the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce, said having a major company like DUDA enhance its presence in the area is an economic plus.

"It's just another little feather for Oviedo," he said, talking about enhancing Oviedo's community and making it more economically strong.

Howard said DUDA is still financially strong, but it too has been affected by the current economy.

"We are looking to all of our operations to see where we might do things more effectively," she said. "Agriculture is a necessity. We grow food for the nation and for a good part of the world as well."

Howard said that the company hopes that by improving its efficiency, it can better streamline its operations, and consolidating its major leaders here in Oviedo is a start.

The CEO of fresh fruit and vegetable operations for Duda Farm Fresh Foods is the only position left to make the move to Oviedo.

That position is currently based in Salinas, Calif., and held by Bob Gray.

Because of the move, however, Howard said Gray made the decision to step down as CEO as of June 1 and work in an advisory capacity with the company until August. He has worked for the company in California for nearly 30 years.

According to a press release, Gray said the consolidation was something he had known about for some time and was reluctant to embrace.

"I will always cherish and remember the time I have spent with the DUDA company," he said, "As I truly believe that I have received more from the family and the company than I could ever have given in return."

As of yet, there is no one set to fill Gray's place when he steps down.