USDA Announces Cotton Board Appointments

USDA Announces Cotton Board Appointments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2018 - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of eight members, eight alternate members and two advisors to serve on the Cotton Board. 

Re-appointed members are:

• Adam S. Hatley, Mesa, Ariz.
• Rajiv Malik, Tiburon, Calif.
• George T. Warbington, Vienna, Ga.
• Sonja Chapman, Boonton, N.J.
• Crystal A. Button, Great Neck, N.Y.
• Julie Davis Holladay, Lubbock, Texas
• Randy Braden, Midland, Texas
• Jeffery T. Posey, Roby, Texas

Re-appointed alternate members are:

• Jaclyn Dixon Ford, Alapaha, Ga.
• Douglas P. Guiley, New York, N.Y.

Newly appointed alternate members are:

• Ava L. Alcaida, Parker, Ariz.
• Patricia R. Lesser, Kentfield, Calif.
• Charles F. Sheppard, Indian Rocks, Fla.
• Steven D. Olson, Plainview, Texas
• Jason S. French, Snyder, Texas
• Brett J. Schniers, Wall, Texas

The appointed advisors are Gregory L. Bridgeforth, Athens, Ala., and incumbent Karen E. Kyllo, Henderson, Nev.

All appointees will serve 3-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2021.

“The Cotton Board carries out research and promotional activities that help cotton compete in domestic and foreign markets, improve fiber quality and lower production costs,” said Perdue. “I want to thank these board members for the time and effort they have committed to serving the cotton industry."

The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 (Act) authorized a national cotton research and promotion program that is both industry-operated and funded. Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

More information is available on the AMS Cotton Board website, or visit the board’s website at www.cottonboard.org.