MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 5, 2016 — Keith T. Lucas, Garner, N.C., cooperative official, will serve as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2016. He and other CCI officers were elected at CCI’s board meeting in Dallas today during the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2016 Annual Meeting. CCI is the NCC’s export promotion arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA trademark.
“The cotton industry is operating in an uncertain environment, with international policies and the ongoing challenge from man-made fiber affecting cotton consumption,” Lucas said. “CCI’s COTTON USA promotion efforts take on even greater importance this year, as consumer demand and exports continue to be critical to maintaining U.S. cotton’s profitability. I’m excited to lead CCI as its president and support its global initiatives aimed at instilling a preference for U.S. cotton and cotton products at every point along the marketing chain.”
Lucas, who moves up from CCI first vice president, succeeds Dahlen K. Hancock, a Ropesville, Texas, producer, who becomes CCI board chairman. A South Alabama native, Lucas attended Auburn University where he earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1985. He came on board with Carolinas Cotton Growers Cooperative in 2001, serving as vice president of marketing. He is responsible for all of its member-grower relations including forward contracting, spot purchases and managing the day-to-day operations of cotton services.
Lucas has been active in industry organizations including current service as chairman of the NCC’s Public Relations and International Market Development Committee and as a member of the NCC’s Quality Task Force. He is a past member of the NCC’s Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee. He has served in multiple leadership positions with CCI and currently is a member of CCI’s Export Promotion Committee.
Other 2016 CCI officers elected include: first vice president, Eduardo L. Esteve, Jr., merchant, Dallas, Texas; second vice president, Ted Schneider, producer, Lake Providence, La.; and treasurer, Hank Reichle, cooperative, Greenwood, Mississippi. In addition, Gary Adams, Cordova, Tenn., was elected as secretary and Bruce Atherley, Washington, D.C., was elected as assistant secretary.
Elected as 2016 CCI directors were: Jarral T. Neeper, a cooperative official from Bakersfield, Calif.; Carlos C. Garcia, a cooperative official from Lubbock, Texas; Davis Warlick, a manufacturer from Charlotte, N.C.; James L. Loeb, Jr., a merchant from Montgomery, Ala.; and Richard Gaona, a producer from Roby, Texas.
Re-elected as 2016 CCI directors were: Producers – J. Lee Cromley, Brooklet, Ga.; Craig A. Heinrich, Lubbock, Texas; Richard Kelley, Burlison, Tenn.; Cannon Michael, Los Banos, Calif.; Taylor Slade, Williamston, N.C.; and Gregory C. (Greg) Wuertz, Casa Grande, Ariz.; Ginners – Thomas S. (Sid) Brough, Odem, Texas; and Kent D. Fountain, Surrency, Ga.; Merchants – E. Hope (Hopie) Brooks, III, and Steven (Steve) Dyer, both of Cordova, Tenn.; Philip R. (Phil) Bogel, II, Dallas, Texas; and Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.; Cooperative Official – Frederick Barrier, Greenwood, Miss.; Cottonseed Handler – James C. Massey, Harlingen, Texas; Warehouser – Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn.; and Manufacturer – Robin Perkins, Sanford, N.C.
Posted February 9, 2016
Source: CCI
