Robert Royal, Midnight Gin, Silver City, Miss., is the new president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association.

ROBERT ROYAL

He was elected at the organization’s annual meeting, held in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, and will serve through February 2014.

The SCGA includes state ginner organizations in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Riley James, A.C. Rile Cotton Co., New Madrid, Mo., was elected vice-president; Sledge Taylor, Como Consolidated Gin Co., Como, Miss., will serve as treasurer; Tim Price will continue as executive vice president; and outgoing president, George LaCour, Tri-Parish Gin, Morganza, La., will be chairman of the board.

Officers of the state associations are:

Arkansas —President, Barry Braden, Cotton Growers, Inc., Dell; first vice president, Henry G. “Tri” Watkins, Rabbit Ridge Gin & Warehouse, Lepanto; and second vice president, John Stuckey, Willow Gin, Trumann.

Louisiana — President, William Browning, Browning Gin Co., Crowville; first vice president, Randy Ainsworth, Tanner and Co., Frogmore; and second vice president, Darrell VandeVen, Tensas Co-op Gin, St. Joseph.

Mississippi — President, Robert Royal, Midnight Gin, Silver City; first vice president, Phil Lucius, Calhoun County Gin, Calhoun City; and second vice president, Richard Noe, Vance Gin, Clarksdale.

Missouri — President, Jane Campbell, Crowder Gin Co., Sikeston; first vice president, Riley James, A.C. Riley Cotton Co., New Madrid; and second vice president, Bruce Dawson, Bernie Farmers Gin, Malden.

Tennessee — President, Brad Williams, Burlison Gin Co., Burlison; first vice president, Allen Espey, Espey Gin, McLemoresville; and second vice president,  Holt Shoaf, Shoaf Farms, Milan.

Trustees were also chosen for the Southern Cotton Ginners Foundation. They are: Robert Royal, SCGA president; Kenneth Hood, Foundation president, H.B. Hood & Sons, Gunnison, Miss.; Neil Sloan, GPS Gin, Portland, Ark; George O. “Buddy” Tanner, Tanner & Co., Frogmore, La.; Robbie Winston, Peach Orchard Gin, Gideon, Mo.; and Will Wade, Wade Gin, Kenton, Tenn.

The trustees oversee foundation funds that are directed toward research projects, scholarships, and other activities supported by SCGA.