Noting these are difficult times for the cotton industry, Texas producer Dahlen Hancock assumed the reins of Cotton Council International, the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council, at the NCC’s annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn.

Hancock, a fourth generation farmer from Ropesville, Texas, and other officers were elected during the Cotton Council International board meeting. Hancock succeeds Jordan Lea, a Greenville, S.C. merchant who becomes CCI board chairman.

"I know that these are difficult times for the cotton industry with such a large surplus of cotton globally,” Hancock said. “CCI, working for the U.S. cotton industry, will continue to do a great job of promoting and sourcing our quality cotton into export markets around the world. I look forward to leading CCI as we address this challenge."

Hancock, who moves up from CCI first vice president, has been farming for 35 years. He serves as chairman of New Home Coop Gin, as well as a delegate and marketing pool representative at Plains Cotton Cooperative Association in Lubbock, Texas.

Other new officers elected at the board meeting Feb. 6 include: first vice president, Keith Lucas, cooperative official, Garner, N.C.; second vice president, Anthony Tancredi, merchant, Cordova, Tenn.; and treasurer, Stewart Weaver, Jr., an Edmondson, Ark., producer. In addition, NCC President Gary Adams was elected secretary and Vaughn Jordan was elected assistant secretary.

Producers Lee Cromley, Brooklet, Ga., and Craig Heinrich, Lubbock, Texas, were elected 2015 CCI directors.

Re-elected 2015 CCI directors were:

Producers – Cannon Michael, producer, Los Banos, Calif.; Michael D. (Mike) Alexander, Colorado City, Texas; Richard Kelley, Burlison, Tenn.; Taylor Slade, Williamston, N.C.; and Gregory C. (Greg) Wuertz, Casa Grande, Ariz.;

Ginners – Thomas S. (Sid) Brough, Odem, Texas; and Kent D. Fountain, Surrency, Ga.;

Merchants – E. Hope (Hopie) Brooks, III, and Steven (Steve) Dyer, both of Cordova, Tenn.; Philip R. (Phil) Bogel, II, and R. Eduardo L. (Eddy) Esteve, both of Dallas, Texas; and Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.;

Cooperative Officials - Frederick Barrier and Hank Reichle, both of Greenwood, Miss.; and Lonnie D. Winters, Lubbock, Texas;

Cottonseed Handler - James C. Massey, Harlingen, Texas

Warehouser - Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn.; and

Manufacturers – Daniel G. Morrison, Gastonia, N.C.; and Robin Perkins, Sanford, N.C.

CCI is dedicated to increasing U.S. exports of cotton, cottonseed and their products. In overseas markets, CCI represents the seven segments of the U.S. cotton industry: producers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, cottonseed handlers, cooperative officials and manufacturers.