Tennessee Merchant Named NCC Chairman For 2001

SAN DIEGO, CA - James E. Echols, a merchant from Cordova, TN, will lead the National Cotton Council of America in 2001. He was elected at the industrywide organization's annual meeting here today.

Echols, who served as a NCC vice president in 2000, succeeds Robert E. McLendon, who will chair the NCC's Executive Committee. Echols also will chair the NCC Board, which approved a change in the NCC's officer structure that establishes the chairman position as the industry's chief elected industry officer. Kenneth B. Hood, a Gunnison, MS, producer, was elected vice chairman.

Echols has been very active in the U.S. cotton industry. He is past president of the NCC's export promotions arm, Cotton Council International; the American Cotton Shippers Association of which he currently serves as a director and the Southern Cotton Association. He also is a former member of the New York Cotton Exchange board of managers.

Echols began his career with Hohenberg Brothers Company in 1960 as a trainee. In 1971 he was elected vice president of the company and in 1988 was named senior vice president. In 1990 Cargill, the parent company, announced his election as president of Hohenberg and chief executive officer of the Worldwide Cotton Product Line, which includes the merchandising firm Ralli Brothers and Coney based in Liverpool, England.

A native of Memphis, Echols attended Delta State University and graduated from the University of Memphis with a marketing degree.

Also elected as NCC officers for 2001 were: Vice Presidents Fred Underwood, warehouseman, and Wayne Martin, crusher, both of Lubbock, TX, and Secretary-Treasurer W.L. Carter, Jr., producer, Scotland Neck, NC.

Re-elected vice presidents were: Robert W. Greene, ginner, Courtland, AL; Van A. May, cooperative official, Lubbock, TX; and W. Duke Kimbrell, manufacturer, Gastonia, NC.

Elected as NCC staff officers were: Phillip C. Burnett, president and chief executive officer; Gaylon B. Booker, executive vice president; and Dr. Mark Lange, vice president, policy analysis and program coordinator, both of Memphis.

Lange formerly served as director of NCC's Economic Services and Information Services departments. He will provide support for development of Council policy governing such areas as farm law and trade as well as internal policy affecting Council membership and interaction between the seven industry sectors. He also will help coordinate a Council staff work plan to address recommendations industry delegates approve at the Council's annual and board meetings.

Re-elected NCC staff officers include: Craig Brown, vice president, producer affairs, Memphis; A. John Maguire vice president, Washington operations; and Allen Terhaar, vice president, international affairs, Washington, DC.