Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998 samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov Billy Cox (202) 720-8998 billy.cox@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, March 24, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of nine members and nine alternates to the Cotton Board (Board). All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately and ending Dec. 31, 2012. In addition, Vilsack appointed one alternate to fill a vacant position in Texas with a term ending on Dec. 31, 2010.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the cotton industry and I am confident that cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products will be well served by them,” said Vilsack.
The re-appointed members are: Kevin G. Rogers, Laveen, Ariz.; Tom J. Gary, Jr., Greenwood, Miss.; Mark D. Williams, Farwell, Texas; Janet C. Ydavoy, Bradenton, Fla.; and Sonja Chapman, New York, N.Y.
The re-appointed alternate members are: Benjamin O. Boyd, Sylvania, Ga.; Randy L. Braden, Midland, Texas; Linda F. Taylor, Ropesville, Texas; Carlos F. J. Moore, Washington, D.C.; and Robert J. Mele, New York, N.Y.
The newly appointed members are: George T. Warbington, Vienna, Ga.; Jeffrey T. Posey, Roby, Texas; Kimberly L. Pettit, Gastonia, N.C.; and Monica J. Gorman, Pittsburgh, Penn.
The newly appointed alternate members are: Adam S. Hatley, Mesa, Ariz., L. Craig Brown, Schlater, Miss.; Jonathan W. Brewer, Anaheim, Calif.; and Christopher A. Fisher, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Mark D. Wright, Roscoe, Texas, was appointed to fill the Texas alternate member vacancy.
The cotton research and promotion program is designed to advance the position of cotton in the marketplace. It is funded by assessments on all domestically produced cotton and imports of foreign-produced cotton and cotton-containing products, and is authorized by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the Board.
More information about USDA programs is available at http://www.usda.gov/
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