The Georgia Cotton Commission is pleased to announce the guest speakers at the Commission’s 2025 Annual Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & 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 William Kimbrell, President and CEO, Cotton Incorporated; Stanley Culpepper, Professor – Extension Weed Scientist, University of Georgia; and Jeff Kuckuck, Senior Government Relations Director, National Cotton Council.
- William Kimbrell is a 20-year veteran of Cotton Inc. and has experience in Research and Development and Marketing. In his most recent role as Vice President of Supply Chain Marketing Asia, Kimbrell managed marketing teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Osaka and was responsible for marketing initiatives across Asia. He has extensive international experience working with manufacturers, brands and retailers on technology and marketing programs. Kimbrell attended North Carolina State University receiving a bachelor’s degree in Textiles and achieving his MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.
- Stanley Culpepper began his professional career at The University of Georgia as cotton, vegetable and small grain weed scientist in 1999, and continues with those same responsibilities today. Culpepper has authored 16 successful Section 18 packages/critical use nomination packages and coauthored 33 Section 24(c) state herbicide labels bringing new weed management tools to Georgia growers. He has received numerous honors with his greatest award accomplishment being the first person in Extension to win the EPA’s Montreal Protocol Award for assisting in the preservation of the ozone layer and his greatest professional honor was being invited to serve as a member of the Agricultural Science Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board.
- Jeff Kuckuck serves as Senior Government Relations Director for the National Cotton Council. Prior to joining the NCC, Jeff spent a decade on Capitol Hill working for three Members of Congress: Representatives Reid Ribble of Wisconsin, Andy Biggs of Arizona, and Tom Emmer of Minnesota. In his final Hill role as Legislative Director, Jeff was instrumental in advancing key policy priorities for Rep. Emmer as the Congressman worked to secure his position as House Majority Whip. Jeff, who holds degrees from the University of Chicago and the College of William & Mary, brings a unique perspective to his role and uses that to help NCC tackle complex priorities and serve the industry.
Following the Annual Meeting speakers, the Commission will host lunch where sponsors will be recognized, door prizes will be given away, and awards will be presented. 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 at https://forms.gle/b1cJ3QzSfjb2BA5C7 or call (229) 386-3416.
Thank you to our sponsors:
John Deere – Deltapine/Bayer Crop Science – PhytoGen/Corteva Agriscience
Farm Credit Associations of Georgia – Stoneville/BASF
Ag Technologies – Americot, Inc.-NexGen – Armor Cotton – Cargill Cotton – CNI – DeltaAg – Georgia Farm Bureau – Helena Agri-Enterprises
ICL Growing Solutions – Kelley Manufacturing Co. Langston Companies – Lasseter Tractor – Magnolia Loom
Olam Cotton/Liberty Cotton Co-op – Quail Forever – R.W. Griffin – SePRO Corporation – Smith Farm Supply – South Georgia Banking Company Southeast AgNet – Staplcotn – Syngenta Synovus – Tama USA – Tidewater Equipment/CASE-IH Triangle Chemical Company – Triangle Insurance – Valent USA – Valley Irrigation