The Georgia Cotton Commission will host its 10th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 25, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the university’s Research and Extension Cotton Team.
The UGA Cotton Production Workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission’s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations.
The program speakers are:
- Reece Langley, Vice President of Washington Operations, National Cotton Council.
- Tom Wedegaertner, Director of Cottonseed Research and Marketing, Cotton Incorporated.
- Bruce Atherley, Executive Director, Cotton Council International.
Reece Langley assumed his role as Vice President of Washington Operations at the National Cotton Council in 2014. He is responsible for coordinating the Washington activities for the Council, which includes working with Congress and the Administration, to ensure the U.S. cotton industry’s seven segments compete effectively and profitably in the global market.
Prior to joining the Council, Langley was Vice President of Government Affairs for the USA Rice Federation. He also worked as a legislative assistant to Congressman Terry Everett (R-AL) prior to working for the USA Rice Federation.
Tom Wedegaertner began his life-long work with cottonseed in 1980 as an Assistant Director, Research and Education with the National Cottonseed Products Association in Memphis, Tennessee. While in Memphis, he completed degree requirements for an MBA in Marketing at the University of Memphis.
After almost a decade with NCPA, Wedegaertner began working as a cottonseed products marketing specialist for the Anderson Clayton Company in Seattle, Washington. His influence on the cottonseed industry has been enormous during the past 21 years with Cotton Incorporated working on such projects as Ultra Low Gossypol Cottonseed, flavored cottonseed oils, and cottonseed protein fortified foods.
Bruce Atherley has a long and successful track record in global marketing and management. He previously served as Vice President, Global Marketing for Kao, Inc., a Tokyo-based global manufacturer of personal care and household products. He also worked for the William Wrigley Jr. Company, serving as its Vice President of North American Confections Marketing, President and General Manager of Wrigley Canada and Managing Director, Global Branding Services.
Prior to Wrigley, he served as Vice President of Retail Marketing for the H.J. Heinz Company, President and CEO of Pet Life, Inc., Marketing Director, Black and Decker and Product Manager, Cheerios for General Mills Inc. Atherley assumed his current role as Executive Director of Cotton Council International in October 2015.
Following the annual meeting speakers, the Commission will host lunch where sponsors will be recognized and door prizes will be given away. The meeting, production workshop, and lunch are open to not only cotton growers, but anyone interested in the cotton industry. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop breakout sessions will be repeated after lunch.
There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online here or call 229.386.3416.
