History

The Arizona Cotton Ginners Association was organized in 1956 to unite growers, ginners, suppliers and government agencies.

Over the past 50 years the cotton industry has seen incredible advances in technology and the way the industry does business. The Arizona Cotton Ginners Association meets regularly to proactively tackle industry issues and strategically plan for the future of Arizona cotton.

Many of Arizona's leaders have gone on to lead the National Cotton Ginners Association and have had a place in determining the future of America's cotton market.

Mission Statement

It is the purpose of the Arizona Cotton Ginners Association to serve the common business interests of the people involved in and served by the cotton operations in Arizona

This Mission Statement is Accomplished by:
  • Encouraging and promoting the civic, commercial and business interests of its members and others related to the cotton industry by common interest
  • Acting as a unifying force in the Arizona ginning industry, encouraging and promoting cooperation among gins, customers and government agencies
  • Addressing and promoting safety issues in the workplace
  • Serving as a vehicle for combining the resources of the Arizona cotton gins to more effectively address shared issues and problems
  • Conducting and promoting instructive efforts directed at members of the industry, customers and the general public
  • Coordinating activities of Arizona cotton gins involved in the national issues addressed by the National Cotton Ginners Associations
  • Acquiring and disseminating scientific, technical, economic and educational information of value to the industry
  • Promoting good faith, integrity and fair business principals in the trade activities of its members
Officers
National Cotton Council Delegates
Melissa Campbell
2025
Gene Seale
2025
Nathan Goldman
2024
Bill Brackett
2023
David Hardin
2024
Greg Sugaski
2025
Arizona Cotton Ginners Past Presidents
Gene Seale
2019 - 2021
Gary Phelps
2014 - 2018
Butch Gladden
2012 - 2013
Greg Sugaski
2011 - 2012
Dwayne Alford
2007 - 2010
Steve Straussner
2006 - 2007
Arnie Schlittenhart
2004 - 2006
Tom Edge
2003 - 2004
Jim Gale
2002 - 2003
Steve Straussner
2001 - 2002
Bill Brackett
2000 - 2001
Kathy Lambert
1999 - 2000
Russell Kuhnhenn
1998 - 1999
Jeff Ballentine
1997 - 1998
Barbara Haralson
1996 - 1997
John Visic
1995 - 1996
Ronald Stanz
1994 - 1995
John Brady
1993 - 1994
Bob Burk
1992 - 1993
Jimmy Gale
1991 - 1992
Charles Owen
1990 - 1991
Kempton Ashburn
1989 - 1990
Tom Jepsen
1988 - 1989
Timothy Keity
1987 - 1988
Larry Warren
1986 - 1987
Steve Straussner
1984 - 1986
Kenneth Crockett
1983 - 1984
Jack Francis
1981 - 1983
W.J. Reckling, Jr.
1977 - 1981
Bob Prikosivits
1976 - 1977
Bernie Allison
1975 - 1976
Bruce Dickey
1974 - 1975
Clint White
1973 - 1974
Earl Foster
1972 - 1973
R.H. Mitchell
1971 - 1972
Percy Hudson
1970 - 1971
G.H. Francis
1968 - 1970
George Peck
1967 - 1968
Cliff Richardson
1966 - 1967
C.R. Bell
1964 - 1966
James Francis
1962 - 1964
J.S. Francis
1956 - 1962
Arizona Life Members
Kempton Ashburn
Casa Grande
Tom Jepsen*
Casa Grande
Gesford Francis*
Peoria
Jack Francis*
Peoria
William J. Reckling, Jr.*
Phoenix
Larry Warren
Phoenix
Charles Owen*
Pima
Ron Stanz
Yuma
Joyce Stanz
Yuma
Jim Gale*
Coolidge
Kathy Lambert
Buckeye
Dr. Phil Wakelyn
Washington, D.C.
Barbara Haralson*
Safford
Lon Emerson
Glendale
Ed Hughes
Mesilla, NM
Dwayne Alford
Yuma
Rick C. Lavis*
Phoenix

* - Deceased

Associate Members
Allred's Insurance & Cotton Co.
AMS
Arizona Bag Company
Arizona Grain
AZ Ag Marketing
AZ Crop Improvement Assoc.
BASF
Bayer
C & M Baling Services
Calcot
Capitol Engineering Co.
CG Commodities
Cherokee Fabrication
CM Material Handling
Dubose Strapping Inc
Farm Credit Services SW
First Interstate Bank
Foothills Bank
Goetz & Sons Inc
Handwerker-Winburne, Inc.
Imperial Western Products
Jess Smith & Sons Cotton LLLC
L. P. Brown Company
Langston Companies Inc.
Louis Dreyfus Cotton Storage
Lummus
National Bank of Arizona
Olam Agri
Powers-Leavitt Insurance
Precision Electric Co.
R & C Supply Co.
Samuel Strapping Systems
Southwest Risk Management
Supima Assoc.
Tama USA
Wetmore Environmental Lab
Wildwood Cotton Tech