The United States Department of Agriculture has announced the appointment of a Clarksdale native to The Cotton Board.
Newly appointed members include Thomas "Tripp" Hayes III, a producer/farmer from Clarksdale growing cotton, soybeans and corn.
“On behalf of The Cotton Board, I would like to thank these appointees for their willingness to share their time and expertise with the cotton industry,” said Jimmy Webb, Georgia cotton producer and current Chairman of The Cotton Board. “These leaders in the industry collectively represent the interests of both cotton importers and cotton producers to provide oversight and direction to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, with the common goal of improving the profitability of the entire cotton industry.”
"The Cotton Board is fortunate to have a leader like Tripp Hayes who is willing to serve, and he is supremely qualified to serve as the Mississippi representative on the Cotton Board," said Bowen Flowers, a farm leader from Coahoma County.
The Cotton Board has 13 members, 13 alternate members and one advisor. These appointees will serve three-year terms, ending Dec. 31, 2023.
The other newly appointed member is Ben B. Guthrie, a producer/farmer from Louisiana.
Newly appointed alternate members are: Matthew Cauzza, producer from Calif.; Justin Cave, producer from Texas; and Susanne St. Onge-Simpson, an importer from Calif.
Re-appointed members are: Pace Hindsley, a producer from Ark.; Dustin Mancebo, producer from Calif.; David Dunlow, producer from N.C.; Bryan Patterson, producer from Texas; Debra Barrett, producer from Texas; Sigi Valverde, producer from Texas; Chuck Ward, an importer from N.C.; Scott Johnson, importer from Calif.; Akiko Inui, importer from N.Y.; Laurie Sutandar, importer from Texas: and Debi Gregg, importer from Calif.
Re-appointed alternate members are Rafe Banks, a producer from Ark.; Rebecca Thom, producer from La.; Patrick Johnson, a producer from Miss.; Kent Smith, producer from N.C.; Michael Popp, producer from Texas; Jon Jones, producer from Texas; James McKinnon, an importer from N.Y.; Dean Draughn, importer from Maryland; Barbara Buhr, importer from Conn.; and Stefanie Rotta, importer from Mich.
Also, USDA appointed Jennifer Pisula, an importer from Delaware, to serve in an importer alternate position that expires Dec. 31, 2022. Willie A. Scott, a producer from Georgia, was appointed to an advisor position term that will expire Dec. 31, 2023.
