The Uncle Matt's Team

Left to right: Benny McLean, Susan McLean, Ben McLean III, Alex Howell and Matt McLean

Matt McLean, CEO
Matt McLean is a pioneer, agricultural activist and entrepreneur in the organic industry. Currently Vice President on the national Board of Directors for the Organic Trade Association (OTA), he helps shape the policies and standards for the organic industry.

His passion for farming and his steadfast commitment to the organic life led Matt to create Uncle Matt’s Organic, Inc. in 1999, one of the fastest growing organic juice and fresh fruit brands in the U.S. Prior to that, Matt managed his own juice brokerage business that exported juice to Europe and the Middle East.

A seventh generation Floridian, Matt’s citrus roots date back four generations to his great grandfather who farmed without the use of harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Today, Matt, also known as “Uncle Matt”, manages over 1,000 acres of organic citrus along with his father and other family members. Fully integrated from farming to manufacturing to marketing, he also serves as a consultant for farmers wishing to convert to organics.

In Matt's spare time, he enjoys football, basketball, triathlons, skiing and tennis. He lives in Clermont, FL with his wife and daughter.

Benny McLean II, Production Manager
Ben "Benny" McLean is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Agriculture, and has over 40 years of experience growing citrus on over 30,000 acres in Florida, Central America and Caribbean countries. Benny is in charge of Uncle Matt's organic farm plan, and oversees all aspects relating to growing citrus.

In his spare time, Benny loves spending time with his 11 grandchildren, and working in his backyard grove.

Ben McLean III, Vice President
Ben has a Master's Degree in Fruit Crops from the University of Florida and heads our Research & Development Department for organic products.

Ben enjoys competing in triathlons, swimming, reading and conducting research for organic farming. He lives in Clermont with his wife and their four girls.

Alex Howell, Chief Financial Officer
Alex is Uncle Matt's Organic's Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for the company's full financial function. Specifically, Alex participates in the development of financial and management reporting tools and enhancement of financial and operational controls throughout Uncle Matt's. Alex is also Uncle Matt's primary real estate acquisition lead.

Alex currently lives in Winter Garden with his wife and their six children. He enjoys biking, waterskiing, boating and flying.

Dave Gurney, Manager of Operations
Dave has over 40 years of experience in grove care, harvesting and packinghouse operations. Formerly a partner with Benny McLean in the 70s, Dave is responsible for overseeing the harvesting, packing and shipment of Uncle Matt's Organic citrus.

Dave is married and lives with his wife in Fruitland Park. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his grandchildren and riding the groves.

Susan R. McLean, HR Director
Susan is married to Benny and they have lived on their grove in Clermont, Florida for over 35 years. She is the Human Resource Director and the Office Manager. She has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Nursing from the University of Florida. Susan had an extensive career in the field of nursing and has been a political activist for health issues. She is an active community volunteer, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the South Lake Memorial Hospital. Susan and Matt started the company, Uncle Matt’s Organic, Inc. in 1999 with one computer, a phone line and a lot of enthusiasm. Her hobbies include spending time with her 11 grandchildren and attending University of Florida Gator athletic events.

Patty Gurney, Accountant
Patti is the Accountant for Uncle Matt’s Fresh. Her responsibilities include maintaining records for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, invoicing, purchasing, grove care and budgeting.

Patti settled in Clermont 14 years ago after her husband, Dan, retired from the USAF in which Patti also served 10 years. That is were she received her accounting experience and her son is now on his second tour with the USAF.

Patti enjoys reading, skiing, working in her rose garden and spending time with her two children, three step-children, three grandchildren and her dog Sandy and cat Cooper.

Steve Kiral, Sales Manager - Fresh Fruit
Steve Kiral was born in Illinois but has spent most of his life in the Central Florida area residing in both Polk and Lake counties. After attending Harper Business College, Steve decided to pursue a career in banking and worked at both Sun First National Bank in Leesburg and the First National Bank of Eustis until he had the opportunity to start a partnership in fresh fruit sales at K & S Groves in Winter Haven, FL during the mid 70's. A series of freezes eventually crippled that business but led him to an opportunity with a specialty beverage distributor in 1982 and ultimately with Adam's Packing Association in Auburndale, FL working in Food Service before moving on to a position with the grower-owned citrus co-op Golden Gem Growers in 1991. There, Steve worked as a Manager of Industrial Sales selling bulk tankers of FCOJ and NFC along with specialty beverage bases and citrus by-products.

With the close of Golden Gem Growers in 2001, Steve worked in several positions of sales management and new business development in other industries before having the opportunity to get back into the citrus industry at Uncle Matt's Organic, where he hopes to be of services for all your organic fresh fruit needs.

Glen Garrity – Sales Manager - Juice
Glen Garrity is the National Sales Manager for the juice division.  His responsibilities include managing the daily sales operations, pursuing new business opportunities, and forecasting sales and budget information.

Glen’s sales experience includes 18 years in the Coca-Cola system. He has held several positions including District Manager, Key Account Manager, and Field Execution Manager. He has an extensive background in beverage sales, business development, and managing customer calls.

Glen has called Central Florida home since 1979. He currently lives in the Mount Dora area with his wife Debbie. They have 4 grown children that all still reside in Florida.  Glen enjoys playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and working on his 1967 Pontiac.

Mary Ellen Pollock, Juice Division Team Member

Mary Ellen assists in running the Uncle Matt’s Organic juice company by processing orders, invoicing and maintaining inventory as well as maintaining all financial records.

Mary Ellen attended Western Michigan University and Indiana University. Her prior work experience includes teaching and coaching at the college level, working at a hospital-based wellness center as an exercise physiologist, lifestyle education manager, and community projects manager. She has additional experience as an assistant buyer for the golf shop at a major golf resort in Central Florida.

Mary Ellen enjoys playing golf, being of service at her church teaching adults and children, reading, taking care of her husband, Ed, and two cats, Shadow and Bogey.

Carmen Daniels, Fruit Division Team Member

Carmen works closely with the Fresh Fruit Sales Manager. Her responsibilities include processing orders,  QCS records, and maintaining MSDS/Label  and grove books.

Carmen was born and raised here in Central Florida. Her prior work experience includes Retail Management, Human Resources and Teaching Pre-K.

Carmen and her husband, Mark, have 10 acres in Groveland where they are learning to grow peaches, nectarines, apples and blackberries. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her three adult children, 7 year old son and two grandchildren.

Sue Dietz, Fruit Division Team Member

Sue works in the organic fresh fruit division, but also assists in the juice division. Her job responsibilities include invoicing, processing sales orders, on-line gift fruit and arranging transportation.

Sue retired as a Transportation Manager from Lucent Technologies in 2000. She managed the outbound transportation for their Mexico division as well as managing 35000 sq ft warehouse in San Antonio Texas for customer returns. Her job experience expands over 25 years of distribution, shipping, receiving, customer service and transportation.

Sue and her husband Jerry have lived in the Clermont area for almost nine years. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren, who live in Michigan. They also have two Yorkshire terriers, Carlie and Cody, that they dote on.