TRI WATKINS

Henry G. “Tri” Watkins, Rabbit Ridge Gin, Lepanto, Ark., has been elected president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association for the 2016/17 term. He succeeds Holt Shoaf, L&H Gin, Milan, Tenn., who now becomes chairman of the board.

The new officers were elected at the association’s annual meeting in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show at Memphis. The association includes state ginner organizations in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri.

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Other SCGA officers are Randy Ainsworth, Tanner and Company, Frogmore, La., vice president; Sledge Taylor, Como Consolidated Gin, Como, Miss., treasurer; and Tim Price, executive vice president and secretary (he serves in the same capacity for each of the state organizations).

Watkins also serves as president of the Arkansas Cotton Ginners Association. Elected to other Arkansas state positions were Barry Braden, Lee Wilson & Co. Gin, Wilson, first vice president; and Ritter Arnold, RHM Gin & Warehouse, Marked Tree.

Randy Ainsworth was elected president of the Louisiana Cotton Ginners Association, and Tom Calloway, Rayville Producers, Inc., Rayville, is second vice president.

Murry McClintock, Tunica Gin, Tunica, is president of the Mississippi Cotton Ginners Association. First vice president is Graydon Flowers, Mattson Gin Inc., Lyon; and second vice president is David Cochran, Jr., Avon Gin, Avon.

Scotty Morgan, White Oak Gin, White Oak, is president of the Missouri Cotton Ginners Association. Gary Hayes, Caruthersville Gin, Caruthersville, is first vice president, and Robert Craig, Dalton Cotton Co., Senath, is second vice president.

Teddy Hazlehurst, Bemis Gin and Warehouse, Jackson, is president of the Tennessee Cotton Ginners Association. Ricky Ayers, Hickory Valley Gin Co., Hickory Valley, is first vice president, and James Wages, Farmers Gin of Humboldt, Humboldt, is second vice president.

They will serve until the association’s annual meeting in March 2017.