Members And Alternates Named To Advisory Committee On Universal Cotton Standards

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the appointment of 24 members and 11 alternate members to the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards. The Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards was re-established by a charter issued on May 25, 2007. Members of the committee represent merchants, manufacturers, ginners and producers.

The members and alternates named today will serve for the two-year period of the committee charter.

The appointed merchant members are: T. Jordan Lea, Greenville, S.C.; Bobby Walton, Memphis, Tenn; Manfred Schiefer, Lubbock, Texas; Craig R. Stevens, Fresno, Calif.; Frederick W. Barrier, Greenwood, Miss.; Lonnie D. Winters, Lubbock, Texas.

The appointed manufacturer members are: William E. Bowen, Jr., Inman, S.C.; John B. Cleveland, II, Easley, S.C.; David T. Koon, Columbus, Ga.; Eugene C. Frye, Gastonia, N.C.; G. Michael Beeker, Sanford, N.C.; Billy R. Henderson, Williamston, S.C.

The appointed ginner members are: Kirk D. Gilkey, Corcoran, Calif.; Chris W. Breedlove, Olton, Texas; W. Sledge Taylor, III, Como, Miss.; Van F. Murphy, Quitman, Ga.

The appointed producer members are: C. Heath Watson, Mayesville, S.C.; David M. Dunlow, Gaston, N.C.; Thad R. Freeland, Tillar Ark.; Ben L. Lamensdorf, Cary, Miss.; Craig D. Shook, Corpus Christi, Texas; Jackie L. Burris, Wellman, Texas; Donald J. Cameron, Helm, Calif.; Diann D. Prechel Shearer, Coolidge, Ariz.

The appointed merchant alternate members are: Claud A. Acker, Bakersfield, Calif.; Richard L. Clarke, Cordova, Tenn.; John D. Mitchell, Cordova, Tenn.

The appointed manufacturer alternate members are: Trey Hodges, Columbus, Ga.; H. Malloy Evans, Sanford, N.C.

The appointed ginner alternate members are: Charles C. Owen, Sr., Pima, Ariz.; William R. Greene, Courtland, Ala.

The appointed producer alternate members are: R. Taylor Slade, Williamston, N.C.; William A. Guthrie, Jr., Newellton, La.; Robert D. Robbins, Altus, Okla.; Alisa Ogden, Loving, N.M.

The Committee will review the Universal American Upland Cotton Standards and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture concerning establishment and revision of Universal Cotton Standards. The marketing of U.S. cotton is supported and enhanced through the Committee’s participation in the development of these standards. Foreign participation in the Universal Cotton Standards development program is a longstanding tradition, and the Committee provides for parallel participation by domestic and international cotton interests.