Six Oklahoma cotton industry members have been elected to leadership positions in the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2009, including Jay T. Cowart with Oklahoma Cooperative Compress in Altus who was re-elected a NCC director.

Danny R obbins of Altus; and Joe White of Frederick; will serve as he Oklahoma co-chairmen of the NCC's American Cotton Producers (ACP).

Oklahoma's NCC state unit officers include: Jay T. Cowart, chairman; Sam Vinyard, an Altus producer, vice chairman and Steven P. Clay, a Carnegie producer, secretary. The cotton industry leaders were named to their posts during the recent 2009 NCC Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. ln addition, Mark Nichols, an Altus producer, is serving as the 2008-09 president of The Cotton Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization That supports cotton research and education from dues provided by U.S. cotton's agribusiness allies.

As the unifying force of the U.S. cotton industry, the Memphis-based National Cotton Council brings together industry representative from the 17 cotton-producing states to establish policies reflecting the common interests and promoting mutual benefits for its broad membership and ancillary industries. The U.S. cotton industry provides employment for some 235,000 Americans and generates more than $120 billion in annual economic activity.

The NCC's mission is ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S. - manufactured markets at home and abroad.