John A. Burch was elected the 2013 president of Cotton Council International (CCI). “CCI is the best in the world promoting cotton, and I am proud to be leading such an organization,” said Burch, vice president of sales for Calcot, a Bakersfield, Calif., and cooperative cotton merchandizing organization. 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.
Burch, who moves up from CCI first vice president, was elected in Memphis, Tenn., at CCI’s board meeting, one of several sessions convening at the NCC’s 75th Annual Meeting here on February 8-10. He succeeds James L. (Jimmy) Webb, a Leary, Ga., cotton producer, who is now CCI board chairman.
“CCI, in partnership with U.S. and foreign counterparts, actively engages the entire global cotton supply chain – from fiber to fashion – in its promotion efforts,” Burch said. As vice president of sales for Calcot, Ltd., one of the nation’s largest cotton marketing cooperatives, Burch is responsible for all direct and indirect cotton sales to mills and merchants inside and outside the United States. Burch joined Calcot in 1976 as an export shipping clerk. He was named assistant vice president of export sales in 1990 and was promoted to vice president in September 2003. Burch holds a master’s degree in business administration from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Cal Poly in 1974.
Other 2013 CCI officers elected include: first vice president, Jordan Lea, merchant, Greenville, S.C.; second vice president, Dahlen K. Hancock, producer, Ropesville, Texas; and treasurer, Keith T. Lucas, cooperative official, Garner, N.C. Mark D. Lange of Cordova, Tenn., was re-elected as secretary and Kevin Latner of Washington, D.C., was elected as assistant secretary.
Frederick Barrier, cooperative official, Greenwood, Miss.; Robin Perkins, manufacturer, Sanford, N.C.; Matthew S. (Matt) Laughlin, merchant, Pasadena, Calif.; Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., merchant, Bakersfield, Calif.; and Taylor Slade, producer, Williamston, N.C., were newly elected as CCI directors for 2013.
Re-elected 2013 CCI directors include: Producers – Michael D. (Mike) Alexander, Colorado City, Texas; Rickey L. Bearden, Plains, Texas; Donald J. (Don) Cameron, Helm, Calif.; Richard Kelley, Burlison, Tenn.; Stewart Weaver, Jr., Edmondson, Ark.; and Gregory C. (Greg) Wuertz, Coolidge, Ariz.; Ginners – Thomas S. (Sid) Brough, Edroy, Texas; and Kent D. Fountain, Surrency, Ga.; Merchants – R. Steven (Steve) Dyer, Cordova, Tenn.; Eduardo L. (Eddy) Esteve, Dallas, Texas; and G.W. (Bill) Winburne, Peoria, Ariz.; Cooperative Officials - 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.
