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U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

Names Directors

Supply Chain, Industry, Environmental Groups Represented

The inaugural Board of Directors has been named Merchant – Steve Dyer (Tennessee);
for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol (Trust Protocol), a Cottonseed – Fred Serven (Tennessee);
new standard developed to help the U.S. cotton Manufacturer – Jim Martin (North Carolina);
production sector further reduce its footprint by Brands/Retailers are Liza Schillo, Levi Strauss &
enabling producers to assess their performance Co., and Joe Little, Tesco;
against specific sustainability goals. Through Suzy Friedman, Environmental Defence Fund;
robust data inputs, the Trust Protocol will add Melissa Ho, the World Wildlife Fund; Marty Matlock,
confidence throughout the supply chain – position- the University of Arkansas; and Garry Bell, formerly
ing U.S. cotton as the responsible choice for mills with Gildan.
and retailers.
Trust Protocol advisors include: Jesse Daystar,
The appointees include delegates from across the Cotton Incorporated; Andy Jordan, Jordan Consult-
entire supply chain, leading industry, scientific and ing; Marc Lewkowitz, Supima; Mark Pryor, The
academic experts as well as representatives from Seam; and Mike Quinn, Frontier Spinning Mills.
world renowned environmental organizations.
After initiation of a pilot earlier this year, full imple-
“We are proud to announce the appointment of the mentation is scheduled for 2020 for the Trust
Trust Protocol’s first-ever board of directors,” said Protocol, which is aimed at helping U.S. cotton
Ken Burton, Trust Protocol executive director. “This achieve by 2025 these national sustainability goals:
group of individuals bring unmatched expertise • 13% Increase in productivity, i.e. reduced land
within the cotton industry, a thorough understand- use per pound of fiber;
ing of the sustainability challenges facing the textile • 18% Increase in irrigation efficiency;
industry and experience within the retail sector. • 39% Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
Working together, the Board will ensure the Proto- • 15% Reduction in energy expenditures;
col will meet sustainability requirements throughout • 50% Reduction in soil loss; and
the supply chain and provide an unmatched level • 30% Increase in soil carbon.
of transparency and accountability.”
The directors will govern the Trust Protocol which
Directors representing the raw cotton industry has a mission of meeting U.S. cotton customers’
include: sustainability needs and providing transparency on
Producers – Matt Coley (Georgia); Ted Schneider
(Louisiana); Shawn Holladay (Texas); and Aaron cotton industry efforts to promote farmer economic
Barcellos (California); livelihood, environmental stewardship, caring of
Ginner – David Blakemore (Missouri); people and community, and personal and corpo-
Marketing Cooperative – Hank Reichle (Mississippi); rate integrity.

November/December 2019