James L. “Jimmy” Webb, a Leary, Ga., cotton producer, will serve as the 2012 president of Cotton Council International (CCI). CCI is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotions arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA trademark.

Webb, who moves up from CCI first vice president, was elected in Fort Worth, Texas, at CCI’s board meeting, one of several sessions convening at the NCC’s 74th Annual Meeting here on February 10-12. He succeeds John D. Mitchell, a Titus, Ala., merchant who becomes CCI board chairman.

Webb began working for his uncle, Bob McLendon, on the farm in 1980 after his father passed away, and made his first crop in 1986 after returning from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Agriculture. He worked beside his uncle until 1994 when he farmed for the first time on his own. He serves on the Edison Gin Co-Op board. He has been active in the NCC, and among his current positions are chairman of its Conservation Task Force and member of its Environmental Task Force and Vision 21 Stakeholder Committees. He also participated in the NCC’s Cotton Leadership and Producer Information Exchange programs. He also has been active in the Georgia Cotton Commission, Cotton Incorporated and the Southern Cotton Growers.

In addition, the other 2012 CCI officers elected were: first vice president, John Burch, cooperative, Bakersfield, Calif.; second vice president, Jordan Lea, merchant, Greenville, S.C.; and treasurer, Dahlen K. Hancock, producer, Ropesville, Texas. Mark D. Lange of Cordova, Tenn., was re-elected as secretary and Kevin Latner of Washington, D.C., was elected as assistant secretary.

Michael D. (Mike) Alexander, a producer from Colorado City, Texas, was newly elected as a CCI director for 2012. Re-elected 2012 CCI directors include: Producers – Rickey L. Bearden, Plains, Texas; Donald J. (Don) Cameron, Helm, Calif.; Richard Kelley, Burlison, Tenn.; Cliett A. Lowman, III, Kingsville, Texas; K. Michael (Mike) Tate, Huntsville, Ala.; and Stewart Weaver, Jr., Edmondson, Ark.; Ginners – Thomas S. (Sid) Brough, Edroy, Texas; and Kent D. Fountain, Surrency, Ga.; Merchants – Philip R. (Phil) Bogel, II, Dallas, Texas; R. Steven (Steve) Dyer, Cordova, Tenn.; Eduardo L. (Eddy) Esteve, Dallas, Texas; Manfred Schiefer, Lubbock, Texas; and G. W. (Bill) Winburne, Peoria, Ariz.; Cooperative Officials – Keith T. Lucas, Garner, N.C.; Hank Reichle, Greenwood, Miss.; and Lonnie D. Winters, Lubbock, Texas; Cottonseed Handler – Gail Kring, Lubbock, Texas; Warehouser – Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn; and Manufacturers – Werner Bieri, Jefferson, Ga.; and Malloy Evans, Cheraw, S.C.

Cotton Council International (CCI) is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotions arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA trademark. CCI’s headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., with offices located in Memphis, London, Hong Kong, Seoul and Shanghai, in addition to a global network of representatives.

(Source: www.fibre2fashion.com )