Summers was born and raised in Lake Placid, Florida. After graduating Lake Placid High School, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Citrus Business from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. After college, Summers worked in the Florida Citrus Industry in both production and harvesting management roles. Over time Summers has combined his interests in technology and his passion for agriculture and currently manages GeoAg Solutions, an agriculture technology solutions provider. He and his wife Andrea reside in Lake Placid with their two children where they attend and serve at Memorial United Methodist Church.
Born and raised in Highlands County Florida, Smoak graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Citrus/Horticultural Science from Florida Southern College in 1993. After working in his family’s citrus and cattle business for several years, Smoak changed course to pursue a lifelong dream of being a professional musician. After a successful 16 year career in Nashville, TN as a guitarist and producer, Smoak returned to Lake Placid where he “switched back from pop culture to agriculture” taking a leadership role in his family business and in the Mason G. Smoak Foundation. A co-founder of the Foundation, Smoak resides in Lake Placid with his wife Rachel and their two children.
Paul Koukos has been a resident of Highlands County since 2006. He grew up in the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area where he graduated from The Bolles School. Mr. Koukos attended the University of Florida where he earned Bachelor’s and Masters of Science degrees in Food and Resource Economics. While at the University of Florida, Paul developed his passion for community involvement, leadership and agriculture through membership in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and Florida Blue Key. Paul worked professionally in both Florida and California fresh citrus industries serving on various State and Federal advisory boards until 2009. He is currently a Commercial Loan Officer with Heartland National Bank. Mr. Koukos and his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Madison, and yellow lab “Cracker” reside in Lake Placid, FL.
A native to Highlands County, Davis graduated from Lake Placid High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies/Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. A practicing member of the Florida Bar, she worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida and since 2003 has been in private civil practice. Davis serves as General Counsel to Delray Plants Co. and has acted as an adjunct professor of law at South Florida State College. She and her husband Rod are active members of the First Baptist Church of Lake Placid and reside with their two children in Lake Placid, FL.
Tracee Smoak was born in Greensboro, Alabama and moved to Lake Placid, FL in 1986 where she was raised and currently resides. She graduated from Lake Placid High School as valedictorian before attending the University of Florida. Ms. Smoak graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Art in Education in 1998. She was a fourth grade teacher at Lake Placid Elementary and director of children’s ministries at Memorial United Methodist Church. In 2008, she took ownership of The Blueberry Patch, a small business in Lake Placid. Ms. Smoak lives with her two sons Gabe (13), Landon (10), and daughter Ellie (6).
Mark Wheeler, 42, is a third generation Florida citrus grower who lives in Bradenton, grew up in Winter Haven and works in Lake Placid, FL. Wheeler serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Wheeler Farms, Inc. and was recently elected as the President of Florida Citrus Mutual, Inc. This organization is the state’s largest citrus grower organization representing nearly 8,000 grower members. Mr. Wheeler served on the boards of Ag First Farm Credit Bank and Farm Credit of S.W. Florida. He is a graduate of Winter Haven High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Troy State University in Alabama. Wheeler is also a graduate of the Wedgeworth Leadership Program sponsored by the University of Florida and has served on the Mason G. Smoak Foundation board since its inception in 2009. Wheeler and his wife Christi, live in Bradenton with their three children Hannah (15), SaraBeth (14) and Leland (12).
Ray Hodge was born in Ocala, FL, grew up in North Florida, and currently resides in Suwannee County. Mr. Hodge earned a bachelor’s degree in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida. He has served as an aide to a state representative and a senator in the Florida Legislator. Mr. Hodge has also served as the National Affairs Coordinator for Florida Farm Bureau and Executive Director for Sunbelt Milk Producers. He is currently employed as Director of Government Affairs for Southeast Milk, Inc. Mr. Hodge is actively involved in many community and professional organizations including: Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame, Florida Water Quality Coalition, Florida Animal Care Trust (treasurer), Suwannee County Farm Bureau, and Alpha Gamma Rho House Association (secretary).
Board Members not pictured: Dr. Ruth Heckman & Ms. Laurie Hurner
Micah D. Scanga graduated from Wesley Chapel High School and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from the University of Florida. During his tenure at the University of Florida, he was active in many organizations including the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Florida Blue Key. Mr. Scanga began work at the Mason G. Smoak Foundation in September 2011 and is currently serving as the Executive Director.
