Leadership

President

Jud Flowers

Jud Flowers is a lifelong resident of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where he has built a career rooted in agriculture, leadership, and community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pan American University in Edinburg and completed post graduate studies at the Texas A&I University Citrus Research Center.
Jud began his career in the Texas citrus industry in 1977 as Citrus Research and Demonstration Manager at Rio Farms, Inc. He later served as General Manager of Pride O’ Texas from 1980 to 1987, followed by 20 years as General Manager of Healds Valley Farms. Over these decades, he developed a strong reputation for hands-on leadership, practical innovation, and a deep commitment to the growers he served.

In 2007, together with his son T.J. Flowers, Jud Flowers fulfilled a lifelong dream by launching his own Texas Citrus company, Lone Star Citrus Growers, where Jud now serves as President. With nearly 50 years of industry experience, Jud continues to lead with integrity, hard work, and a steadfast commitment to prioritizing the needs of growers, customers, and employees.

Jud has been deeply involved in shaping the Texas citrus industry through years of leadership and service. He currently serves on the Texas A&M Citrus Research Center Advisory Committee, Hidalgo County Consolidated Water Control and Improvement District #3, Texas Citrus Producers Board, Industry Group on HLB, and the National Farm Bureau Advisory Committee. His past service includes leadership roles with Texas Citrus Mutual, the Texas Produce Association, the Texas Valley Citrus Committee, and the TexaSweet Citrus Marketing Board. In 2004, Jud was honored to serve as the 67th King Citrus and is proud to continue representing the Kings Association and the Texas Citrus Fiesta that it supports.

Outside of work, Jud is devoted to family and faith. Together with the love of his life, Margie, they share three children, all of whom are involved in the family business, and he is a proud grandfather of four. An active member of Baptist Temple Church in McAllen, Texas, Jud also enjoys deep-sea diving, fishing, team roping and working on his 300 head cattle operation.

Margie Flowers

Margie Flowers was born in Goshen, Indiana and moved to Texas in 1975. She married her husband, Jud, 44 years ago, building a partnership rooted in faith, hard work, and shared purpose. After earning her accounting degree from UTPA, Margie spent more than 40 years as a professional accountant, including roles at Lauder VanBurkleo Powell & Company and Valley Caliche Products before transitioning into entrepreneurship.

She is co‑owner of LSCG alongside Jud and their son, TJ. For two decades, she has overseen the administrative staff of the LSCG office, ensuring smooth operations. Margie is also co‑owner of Monte Christo Cattle Company, where for 44 years she has managed the accounting and operations of their purebred Simbrah program.

A devoted mother of three and grandmother of four, Margie has also spent more than 25 years as a Sunday School teacher and served as the Women’s Ministry leader at her church. Outside of work and ministry, she and Jud have traveled extensively and enjoy skiing, fishing, hunting, and relaxing on the beach. An avid reader, Margie brings curiosity, dedication, and heart to every chapter of her life.

Vice President

TJ Flowers

As a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M, T.J. Flowers has more than 23 years of experience in the produce business. Throughout his career, he has gained broad experience across multiple areas of the produce industry including produce brokerage sales, import sales and domestic sales.  Since co-founding Lone Star Citrus Growers with Jud Flowers in 2007, T.J. has expanded his expertise to include operations and production management.

Early in his career, T.J. Flowers recognized that a customer centric approach on the sales desk leads to stronger relationships and improved outcomes. He carries this same philosophy into his work at Lone Star Citrus Growers, applying it beyond the sales day and into daily production operations. Throughout the season, T.J. is often found working after hours to ensure that the efforts of the sales team are seamlessly executed through efficient and precise production protocols. This hands on oversight ensures that customers receive exactly what they need, when they need it, with consistent reliability and minimal delays.

T.J. Flowers stays current in industry knowledge, relationships and politics through his membership in the Texas International Produce Association and by networking at events such as the annual Viva Fresh Convention.  He is deeply involved in the Texas Citrus community by serving on the boards of Texas Citrus Mutual, the Texas Valley Citrus Committee, and Hidalgo County Irrigation District #13.  In 2021, T.J. was honored to serve as the 84th King Citrus and is proud to continue representing the Kings Association and the Texas Citrus Fiesta that it supports.

Together with April, his wife of more than 23 years, T.J. is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Lily and Maddie. Faith and family are central to their lives. T.J. and April are actively involved in their community, supporting their home parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, their favorite local philanthropy, Make-A-Wish RGV, and the local arts through the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Sales Manager

Michael Harris

Michael Harris is the sales manager for Lone Star Citrus Growers.

Michael has been a dedicated member of the Lone Star sales team since his graduation from Texas A&M University in 2007, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics. Since the formation of Lone Star, Michael has worked diligently with the sales team at Lone Star to create a long-standing and respected reputation for outstanding customer service. He is trusted by his customers because he believes his job goes beyond the actual sale and extends to working to ensure the timely delivery of a quality product and building long standing customer relationships. He knows the importance of being available to his customers and adheres to the motto, ‘The only problems I am unable to handle are the ones I do not know about.’ In 2017, Michael married his wife Julia, and they have add two beautiful girls to their family.

Plant Manager

Joe Vargas

Joe Vargas is a dedicated professional, leader, and family man who was born and raised in Edinburg. At 37 years old, he has built a successful career through hard work, technical expertise and a commitment to continuous growth. Joe graduated from Edinburg North High School and furthered his education by attending trade school, where he developed the skills that launched his career in the electrical field.

Beginning as an electrician, Joe gained valuable hands-on experience working with complex systems and industrial operations. His strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and leadership qualities enabled him to advance into management, where he now serves as Plant Manager. In this role, he oversees operations, drives efficiency, and helps lead teams toward achieving organizational goals while maintaining high standards of safety and performance.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Joe takes great pride in his family. He is married to his high school sweetheart, a testament to the loyalty and commitment that define both his personal and professional life. Together, they are raising three children, and Joe strives to be a positive role model through integrity, perseverance, and dedication. His journey reflects the values of hard work, leadership, and family that continue to guide him every day.

Account Manager

Kevin Roberts

When in middle school, Kevin Roberts was given a class assignment: Write a report about what your dream career would be. The answer was simple; he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Chuck, and Uncle Jerry (JRP Produce), which meant entering the fresh produce industry. He has over 40 years of experience in the industry and has been involved in several sides of the business.

His produce career began in high school while working at the Pompano Beach Farmers Market on weeknights and weekends, where he transferred growers’ products to the different handlers loading and unloading trucks. In the late 80’s, he went to work for SUPERVALU in the Lakeland Fl. buying office as a buyer/inspector of primarily citrus and melons. After 12 years, he and his wife, Wendy, decided to move their young family back to Kevin’s birth state of Texas.

For the first 6 yrs in Texas, he worked primarily in melons and vegetables before moving into the Texas Citrus category in which he has worked since 2007. The Lone Star team welcomed Kevin in 2020.

Kevin is the proud father of Brittany, Samantha and Vance, and he enjoys fishing, golfing, and grilling at home with family and friends.

Assistant Operations Manager

Christopher Eddy

Chris Eddy has been around fresh produce all his life. Having grown up on his grandfather’s farm in Uvalde, Texas, his roots are in the growing, harvesting, packing and shipping of onions, carrots and cabbage. After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1987 with a BS in Agricultural Economics and from Mays Business School at Texas A&M in 1989 with an MBA, Chris worked for Topco Associates as a fresh produce inspector. He returned to Texas in 1991 to work at Duda Farm Fresh Foods on the sales team for the next 17 years as an account manager and sales manager. Chris worked at Frontera Produce and Crescent Fruit and Vegetable as sales manager before beginning his career in citrus at Lone Star Citrus Growers in 2013. It is Chris’ attention to detail and end-to-end knowledge of the supply chain that helps him ensure an efficient flow of product through our facility and to our partners.
Chris enjoys cooking, outdoor grilling, sports and spending time with his wife, Melissa, and their children, JT and Robin. Chris and his family are members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Parish in McAllen, Texas.

Executive Assistant

Ayden Delias

Ayden Delias serves as Executive Assistant at Lone Star Citrus Growers.

In his role, Ayden supports the day-to-day operations that keep the business running smoothly. He manages customer relations, coordinates with vendors to source packaging materials, oversees inventory, and maintains the company’s available-for-sale system. His work spans nearly every corner of the office, and he takes pride in being a dependable point of contact for the people Lone Star Citrus serves.

Ayden is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he is a senior set to graduate next year. The coursework has sharpened the practical skills he brings to his role every day.

A lifelong resident of the Rio Grande Valley with deep family roots in the region, Ayden brings a genuine connection to the community and the citrus industry.

Harvest Ops

Mike Flowers

Michael was born in McAllen, TX in 1984 to Margie and Jud Flowers. He graduated from Sharyland High School in 2002 where he excelled in football and academics, leading to him to then a t t e n d Texas A&M University. While at A&M, he was a member of The Corps of Cadets and Parson’s Mounted Cavalry. Michael earned his way into the Cav and served as Guidon bearer and Squad Leader.
After Michael graduated, he joined the family business and since then, has worked in nearly every facet of the operation. He has
stacked boxes on the packing line, driven forklifts, managed and run the Autoline grading system, and has worked in shipping
and sales. For the last 10 years, Mike has been managing the field and harvest operations. He manages the harvest crews by
working closely with independent contractors to ensure the timely and accurate harvest of our fruit as determined by the sales office.

Mike works closely with his older brother, TJ to harvest the fruit by the order. His deep knowledge of the field ensures every bit of fruit is harvested when it needs to be, in the quantities needed to keep our customers happy. Michael has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Texas Citrus Mutual and Valley Ag Insurance for the last 5 plus years.

Mike also works with his parents for Monten Christo Cattle Company. His passion is working along side his dad on the ranch and farm. He is the jack of all trades on the cattle ranch, where he ropes, rides, processes calves, brands, tags, doctors, transports sale animals vand anything and everything else involved in running Monte Christo’s successful and thriving purebred Simbrah herd.

Michael is happily married to his wife April Anne. They live in Edinburg with 4 beautiful daughters. He is bringing them up on the farm and on the ranch, to learn the value of hard work, the noble honor that it is to work with the beauty of Gods creation, with your bare hands and the importance of family. Mike enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, scuba diving and of course, horseback riding and roping. An athlete for most his life and former rugby player, Michael is an avia gym-goer. He appreciates the importance of not only eating healthy food like citrus and beef, but the importance of fitness. With the help of April, they are teaching their portion of the next generation of citrus farmers and cattle ranchers this vital message.

Grove Care Ops

Glen Martin

Harvest Ops

Jason Martin

Controller & Office Manager

Angie Velasquez

Angie Velasquez is the Controller and Office Manager at Lone Star Citrus, where she has led the company’s accounting and administrative operations for the past 10 years. With more than 21 years of accounting experience spanning the steel fabrication, software, and agriculture industries, she brings a wealth of financial expertise and leadership to her role.
Raised in a family of migrant workers, Angie spent her youth harvesting asparagus, cucumbers, apples, and other seasonal crops in Michigan. These early experiences instilled a strong work ethic and appreciation for the agricultural industry. During her senior year of high school, she discovered a passion for accounting and found private accounting to be a rewarding career path.
At Lone Star Citrus, Angie oversees day-to-day banking operations, payroll administration, account reconciliations, monthly financial reporting, quarterly reporting, insurance renewals, and year-end reporting. She also manages office operations and leads the accounting and administrative teams, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and accountability throughout the organization.
Outside of work, Angie is the proud mother of two adult children, Nyla and Terrell. She enjoys gardening, reading, listening to music with her dog Hazel, and supporting local community events, including farmers markets, the McAllen Art Walk, and performances at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

Accounts Payable

Linda Guzman

Grove Care Accounting

Alejandra Tijerina

Grower Accounting

Eren Gonzalez

Eren Gonzalez has been a valued member of the Lone Star Citrus Growers team since May 2, 2022. A graduate of McAllen High School, Eren went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), bringing a strong foundation in financial and business principles to the LSCG team.

Outside of work, Eren is a devoted parent to two children, Mark and Melody Guerrero. When not at the office, Eren stays active and prioritizes health by regularly working out at the gym, embracing a balanced lifestyle that combines professional dedication with personal wellness.

Human Resources

Yudith Hernandez