Billy Ussery, Griffin Gins, Helena, Ark., is the new president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association.

He succeeds Richard Kelley, Burlison Gin Co., Burlison, Tenn., who is now chairman of the board for the organization that includes gins in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Officers for 2011-12 were elected at the SCGA annual meeting held in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.

Vice president is George LaCour, Tri-Parish Gin, Morganza, La., and treasurer is Sledge Taylor, Como Consolidated Gin Co., Como, Miss.

Officers for the state ginner associations are:

Arkansas — President, Billy Ussery; first vice president, Robert Dreher, Round Lake Co-op Gin, Grady; second vice president, Barry Braden, Cotton Growers Inc., Dell, Ark.

Louisiana — President, Bobby Todd, Farmers Gin of Tallulah, Tallulah; first vice president, George LaCour; second vice president, William Browning, Browning Gin Co., Crowville.

Mississippi — President, David Cochran Jr., Avon Gin Inc., Avon; first vice president, Celeste Malatesta, Columbus Gin Assn., Shaw; second vice president, Robert Royal, Midnight Gin Co., Silver City.

Missouri — President, Gary Hayes, Caruthersville Gin, Caruthersville; first vice president, Gregg Sain, Graves Kennett Gin Inc., Kennett; second vice president; Jane Campbell, Crowder Gin Company, Sikeston.

Tennessee — President, Eugene Pugh, Halls Gin Co., Halls; first vice president, James Wages, Farmers Gin of Humboldt, Humboldt; second vice president, Brad Williams, Burlison Gin Company, Burlison.

Officers for the Southern Cotton Ginners Association Foundation are, president, Kenneth Hood  H.B. Hood & Sons Gin, Gunnison, Miss.; vice president, George O. “Buddy” Tanner. Tanner & Co., Frogmore, La.; and treasurer, Neill Sloan, GPS Gin Co., Portland, Ark.