Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on Dec. 20 tapped Teresa Nersesyan of Long Beach, Calif. as a new member of the Cotton Board. Johanns re-appointed Kevin Rogers of Mesa, Ariz. as a board member, and Walter Heiden of Arlington, Ariz. as an alternate board member.

Other re-appointed members are: Tom Gary, Greenwood, Miss.; Roger Blackwelder, Rotan, Texas; Janet Ydavoy, Ft. Myers, Fla.; and Sonja Chapman, Boonton, N.J. Also re-appointed as alternate members are: William Harris, Benton, Miss.; and Carlos Moore, Naples, Fla.

Additional new board members are: James Lucas, Chester, Ga.; Mark Williams, Farwell, Texas; and Anderson Warlick, Gastonia, N.C. Other new alternate members are: Benjamin Boyd, Sylvania, Ga.; Randy Braden, Midland, Texas; Linda Taylor, Wolfforth, Texas; and Robert Mele, Cherry Hill, N.J.

The Cotton Board consists of 36 representatives of cotton producers and importers, alternates, and one consumer advisor. The members and alternates named will serve a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2009.

The board administers and oversees the Cotton Research & Promotion Program conducted by Cotton Incorporated for America’s cotton producers and importers.