Plant City resident Kyle Robinson has replaced former Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis, who retired last week, becoming the twelfth president/general manager in the Festival’s 92–year history.
Florida Strawberry Festival past President Paul Davis. “The board of directors and I are confident that Kyle is the right person for the job,” said Davis. “I have worked with Kyle and know firsthand his work ethic and passion to serve.”
Robinson has been working as president-elect since August of 2022. In his new role as president, he will directly oversee all of the Festival’s day-to-day operations while working alongside its board of directors and associate directors. Prior to his employment with the Festival, Robinson served 27 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office from which he retired as colonel of patrol operations.
“The Festival has been a large part of my life, some of my fondest memories were made here,” said Robinson. “It’s an incredible opportunity to serve the festival and this great community.”
His journey to president started in a parking lot far, far away. Shortly after being hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 1995, he accepted the assignment to work at the festival. “I was assigned to work in the gray parking lot, one of the most remote parking lots at the festival,” he said.
After a number of years he worked a gate then later the midway. By 2015, he was event commander, overseeing other deputies and security operations during the festival. As he met the board of directors and other staff members, his love for the festival grew. “My grandfather was a red coat and it signifies service, someone who works hard as a volunteer to put on a very special event for the community,” he said.
Robinson retired from the HCSO July 17, 2022 and began his second career with the Festival as president-elect on August 1, 2022, working with Davis and learning the ropes of the festival business.
“The insight I’ve gained from my experience in working the Festival with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has prepared me to offer festival guests with quality customer service interactions,” he said. “I am confident moving into this new position because the Festival has an engaged, experienced, and knowledgeable board of directors and associate directors to rely upon for guidance.”
Robinson recognizes it’s not a one-man show (festival) and he gives credit where credit is due. In addition to board members, he’s grateful for all the staff, many of them full-time, that work hard throughout the year to put on the 11-day event. “The maintenance staff is out here every day fixing, painting, rewiring, they’re the unsung heroes of the festival,” he said. “If I’m seen in public I get a pat on the back, but they deserve all of the credit.”