Shane Stephens has been elected the National Cotton Council chairman for 2016.  Stephens, from Greenwood, Mississippi, follows Seldge Taylor in the position.  Stephens has long been an active member in the cotton industry, participating in the Cotton Leadership Program from 1994-1995 and serving as president of the alumni association.  He has represented the NCC as vice president from 2007-2012 and sat on the board of directors from 2001-2005 and 2013-2014.  He has been the chair of the Packaging and Distribution and the Membership and Credentials committees as well.

Stephens is vice president of Staplcotn’s cotton services and warehouse divisions. With 11 offices throughout the Mid-South and Southeast, the cotton services division is responsible for recruiting and servicing the cooperative’s grower/members. The warehouse division is responsible for 14 warehouse locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Stephens holds a B.S. degree with honors in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He and his wife, Janet, live in Greenwood, and they have two daughters and one son. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Greenwood.

Other board member for 2016 are: vice chairman, Ronnie Lee; secretary-treasurer, Barry Evans; vice presidents, Robert Lacy, Mike Quinn, and Kent Fountain, with returning vice presidents Calter Paxton, III, Joe Nicosia and David Hastings.