Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of seven members, seven alternates, and one consumer advisor to the Cotton Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2013, and ending Dec. 31, 2015.
In addition, Vilsack appointed one member and one alternate member to fill Alabama producer positions with terms ending on Dec. 31, 2013.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the 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, Mesa, Arizona; George (“Teel”) T. Warbington, Vienna, Georgia; Jeffrey T. Posey, Roby, Texas; Mark Williams, Farwell, Texas; Janet C. Ydavoy, Feasterville, Pennsylvania; Sonja Chapman, Boonton, New Jersey; and John (“Jack”) E. Mathews, Pennington, New Jersey.
The re-appointed alternate members are: Adam S. Hatley, Mesa, Arizona; Benjamin O. Boyd, Sylvania, Georgia; Randy L. Braden, Midland, Texas; Linda F. Taylor, Wolfforth, Texas; Catherine B. Allen, Athens, Tennessee; Jonathan W. Brewer, LaHabra Heights, California.
The newly appointed alternate member is Charles McMurray of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
The appointed consumer advisor is Karen E. Kyllo of Springfield, New Jersey.
Walter L. Corcoran, Eufaula, Alabama, formerly an alternate member, was appointed to fill a producer member position. Timothy J. Mullek, Robertsdale, Alabama, was appointed to fill the Alabama alternate position.
Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.
More information about USDA programs is available at www.usda.gov.
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