Secretary Vilsack Announces Cotton Board Appointments

AMS No. 275-10

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of 19 members and 19 alternates to the Cotton Board (Board). All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Jan 1, 2011, and ending Dec. 31, 2013.

“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: V. Larkin Martin, Courtland, Ala.; Edward E. Dement, Sikeston, Mo.; Dwight W. Menefee, Lake Arthur, N.M.; Arthur W. James Jr., Sumter, S.C.; Willie L. German, Jr., Somerville, Tenn.; Madison Farmer, Lamesa, Texas; Craig D. Shook, Corpus Christi, Texas; Gary E. Ross, Yardley, Pa.; Werner Bieri, Jefferson, Ga.; John D. Clark, Los Angeles, Calif.; Arlene M. Eastwood, Neptune, N.J.; A. Mark Neuman, Champaign, Ill.; and Peter M. McGrath, Plano, Texas.

The re-appointed alternate members are: Walter L. Corcoran, Ala; Jack L. Joy, Antesia, N.M.; Robert D. Robbins, Altus, Okla.; Larry W. Rice, Covington, Tenn.; Kenneth W. Dierschke, San Angelo, Texas; Debra R. Barrett, Edroy, Texas; Sarah F. Kay, Charlotte, N.C.; and Helga L. Ying, San Francisco, Calif.

The newly appointed members are: David J. DeFelix, Campellton, Fla.; James L. Webb, Leary, Ga.; Suzanne R. Drouhard, Harper, Kan.; Clint D. Abernathy, Altus, Okla.; Lance V. Everett, Stony Creek, Va.; and Michael D. Wallace, Bentonville, Ark.

The newly appointed alternate members are: Alan J. Edwards, Jay, Fla.; Michael S. Moore, Elko, Ga.; Thomas L. Lahey, Moscow, Kan.; George L. Rone, Portageville, Mo.; Francis G. Darby Jr., Chester, S.C.; Marvin L. Everett III, Capron, Va.; Rajiv Malik, Corte Madera, Calif.; Barbara A. Rozsas, Garnet Valley, Pa.; Patricia M. Reber, Plymouth, Minn.; Laura M. Anderson, New York, N.Y.; and Marilyn C. Kloner, New York, N.Y.

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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