Lykes Bros. CEO Johnnie P. James Jr. Retires

The Tampa-based agricultural company has launched a national search to find a successor for the outgoing executive.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Agriculture

Isometric editorial illustration of a structured agricultural grid of citrus trees, representing systemic land management. — Lykes Bros. has announced the retirement of CEO Johnnie P. James Jr., initiating a national executive search for the Florida-based agricultural firm. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lykes Bros. Inc. has announced the retirement of Johnnie P. James Jr., who served as president and CEO since July 2019. The company has engaged The Goodwin Group to lead the search for his replacement.

Why it matters

The leadership change marks a significant transition for the century-old agricultural firm as it manages substantial land holdings across Florida and Texas. James will remain in his position to oversee the transition period until a new leader is named.

Lykes Bros. Inc. manages approximately 610,000 acres of land, including 339,000 acres of Florida ranch holdings and the 272,000-acre O2 Ranch in Texas. The current operation is a vast expansion from the original 500-acre cattle ranch.

The players

Johnnie P. James Jr.

He is the outgoing president and CEO of Lykes Bros. Inc. who previously held executive roles at Resource Consulting Group and Oakley Transport Group.

Lykes Bros. Inc.

This Tampa-based company is a large-scale agricultural business that manages extensive land holdings across Florida and Texas.

The Goodwin Group

This firm has been hired by the Lykes Bros. Inc. board to conduct the search for a new chief executive officer.

The details

James, who previously worked at KPMG and RSM, joined the board in 2018 before taking the top executive role the following year. The board is working directly with the hired firm to identify a candidate to lead the company's diverse land management interests.

Lykes Bros. Inc. was founded in 1900.
Johnnie P. James Jr. joined the company board in 2018.
James assumed the role of president and CEO in July 2019.
The company officially announced the retirement on October 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

This transition marks a rare leadership change for a company with the deep historical roots of the 1900 founding of Lykes Bros. Inc. The firm maintains its competitive stance by balancing multi-state land holdings against a shifting agricultural market.

The change in leadership is not expected to immediately alter daily business operations or land management practices for stakeholders. Residents and partners in areas like Glades and Polk counties should see no interruption to existing agricultural activity during this transition.

The takeaway

Large private agricultural firms often prioritize internal stability and long transition periods when replacing top executives. Stakeholders can expect a measured approach to the search process as the company seeks to maintain its long-term land management strategy.