Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has announced the appointment of 13 members, 13 alternate members and one non-voting consumer advisor to the Cotton Board. The members and alternates will serve a three-year term, ending Dec. 31, 2011.

“I am very pleased these U.S. cotton producers and importers have agreed to provide their time, expertise and service to this industry,” states Drayton Mayers, president and CEO of the Cotton Board.

The re-appointed members are: Robert McGinnis, Arkansas; John “Jeffrey” Baxter, Arkansas; Aaron Barcellos, California; Thomas “Tap” Parker, Louisiana; Mike Sturdivant Jr., Mississippi; David Grant, North Carolina/Virginia; Barry Evans, Texas; D.C. Compton Cornelius, Texas; Roger Glaspy, Importer, California; David Levey, Importer, Wisconsin; Gail Strickler, Importer, Connecticut; Maureen Gray, Importer, New York and Debi Gregg, Importer, California.

The re-appointed alternate members are: E. Ritter Arnold, Arkansas; Robert Gammil, Arkansas; Steve Cantu, California; George LaCour Jr., Louisiana; and Michael Hubbard, Importer, North Carolina;

The newly appointed alternate members are: Harry Flowers, Mississippi; Jerry Hamill, North Carolina/Virginia; Mark Hegi, Texas; John Dunlap, Texas; Henry Malloy Evans, Importer, South Carolina; Courtney O’Keefe, Importer, Connecticut; Flora J. Wong, Importer, Washington; and Rafael Hernandez, Importer, Texas.

The re-appointed consumer advisor is Billie J. Collier from Florida.

The Cotton Board administers and oversees the Cotton Research & Promotion Program conducted by Cotton Incorporated and is funded by America’s cotton producers and importers. The Program works to increase the demand for and improve the market position of cotton. For more information about the Cotton Board, visit www.cottonboard.org.