By Hallie Bertrand

L to R: Workforce Solution South Plains CEO Martin Aguirre, Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers & TWC Chairman Tom Pauken, American Cotton Growers Director of Human Resources Natalia Moore, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association Vice President of Textile Manufacturing Bryan Gregory, National Association of Workforce Boards Executive Director Ron Painter, and Workforce Solutions South Plains Board Chair Adrienne Cozart.

American Cotton Growers (ACG) received the South Plains Workforce Solutions’ (SPWS) 2011 Employer of the Year award during a ceremony held in Lubbock on April 13. The award originated in 2001 as a way to recognize employers that practice innovative workforce strategies.

“As we began the daunting task of identifying the 2011 Employer of the Year award recipient, American Cotton Growers just seemed to be the obvious choice,” said Lisa J. Spears, Workforce Solutions Public Information Officer. “ACG recognizes the importance of investing in its most valuable asset Ð human capital.”

ACG employs more than 500 people in Littlefield making it the largest employer in Lamb County. The company was recognized for the high value it places on its workforce and for providing its employees with a variety of benefits, an employee advancement program that encourages promotions from within, and other incentives. ACG also offers English or Spanish as a Second Language courses which are available to all employees to improve communications.

In addition, ACG partners with Workforce Solutions in the Texas Back to Work program to hire employees who are currently receiving unemployment benefits. This helps decrease the number of unemployment insurance beneficiaries in the region.

“Our people work so hard in this difficult environment and job market to do all we can to put ACG in the best position for success,” said Bryan Gregory, PCCA’s Vice President of Textile Manufacturing. “This is huge honor, and it is always nice to be recognized among one’s peers.”