The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of seven members, seven alternates, and two advisors to serve three-year terms on the Cotton Board from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Additionally, USDA appointed seven individuals to fill board vacancies.
Newly appointed members:
Caroline Collins Barber, Charlotte, N.C.
Kelly Gupta, Houston, Texas
Doyle Schniers, San Angelo, Texas
Newly appointed alternate members:
Daniel Pacheco, Oro Valley, Ariz.
Martin Schatz, Alameda, Calif.
Willie Scott, Collins, Ga.
Chris Matschek, Garden City, Texas
Reappointed members:
Adam Hatley, Mesa, Ariz.
Michelle Tarry, Maplewood, N.J.
Tara Hoffmann, New York, N.Y.
Julie Davis Holladay, Lubbock, Texas
Reappointed alternate members:
Nicholas A. Pence, Severna Park, Md.
Steven J. Bohman, Allen, Texas
Steven D. Olson, Plainview, Texas
Newly appointed advisor:
Nicole Tanner, Liverpool, N.Y.
Reappointed advisor:
Damian Murrieta, Stanfield, Ariz.
Additional appointments:
USDA appointed five members to fill board vacancies with terms through Dec. 31, 2025:
David C. Light, Rolla, Kan., member
Carolyn Seeliger, Burden, Kan., alternate member
Brad Harrison, Elk City, Okla., alternate member
Volkan Tastan, Cherry Hill, N.J., alternate member
Elizabeth Cobarrubias, Salem, Ore., alternate member
USDA appointed two members to fill board vacancies with terms that expire Dec. 31, 2026:
Jennifer Pisula, Wilmington, Del., member
Shannon Chestnut, Mansfield, Texas, alternate member
The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 authorized a national cotton research and promotion program that is both industry-operated and funded. More information is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cotton Board webpage.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils, and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender