Staplcotn Cooperative Vice President Shane Stephens was elected chairman of the National Cotton Council at its annual meeting in Dallas. He succeeds Sledge Taylor, a Como, Miss., producer and ginner.

Stephens heads up Staplcotn’s cotton services and warehouse divisions from its headquarters in Greenwood, Miss. With 11 offices throughout the Mid-South and Southeast, the cotton services division is responsible for recruiting and servicing the cooperative’s grower/members.

An active industry leader, Stephens was a member of the NCC’s 1994-95 Cotton Leadership Program and has served as president of the Program’s alumni association. He previously served as the NCC’s vice president representing the warehouse segment from 2007-12 and served on the NCC’s board of directors from 2001-05 and 2013-14.

He has served on numerous NCC committees having chaired its Packaging and Distribution and Membership and Credentials committees. Currently the vice president of the Cotton Growers Warehouse Association, Stephens served previously as that organization’s chairman.

Stephens holds a B.S. degree with honors in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He and his wife, Janet, live in Greenwood, and they have two daughters and one son. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Greenwood.

The NCC’s vice chairman for 2016 is Ronnie Lee, a Bronwood, Ga., producer. Elected as the NCC’s secretary-treasurer was Barry Evans, a producer from Kress, Texas.

Serving as NCC vice presidents: Robert Lacy, a cottonseed processor, Lubbock, Texas; Mike Quinn, a cooperative official, Garner, N.C.; Kent Fountain, a ginner, Surrency, Ga.; Coalter Paxton, III, warehouseman, Wilson, N.C.; Joe Nicosia, merchant, Cordova, Tenn.; and David Hastings, textile manufacturer, Mauldin, S.C.

NCC staff officers include: Dr. Gary Adams, NCC president and chief executive officer; Reece Langley, vice president, Washington Operations; Craig Brown, vice president, Producer Affairs; Dr. Jody Campiche, vice president, Economics and Policy Analysis; Dr. Bill Norman, vice president, Technical Services; Harrison Ashley, vice president, Ginner Services; and Fred Johnson, vice president, Administration and Program Coordination.