Darneille Elected to Lead Cotton Council International

PCCA President and CEO Wally Darneille has been chosen to lead Cotton Council International in 2010. He was elected to lead CCI as its president during NCC’s 72nd annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn.

CCI is the National Cotton Council’s export promotions branch and oversees programs in more than 50 countries under the Cotton USA trademark. Cotton USA promotes U.S. cotton fiber and manufactured cotton products in markets around the world.

Darneille graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1973 and graduated summa cum laude with an MBA from Auburn University of Montgomery in 1978. In 1975, he attended Murdoch’s International Cotton School in Memphis, Tenn.

Darneille came to Lubbock to serve as president of PCCA in 2004. Prior to that, he had served 30-years in the cotton industry.

Darneille also serves on the boards of NCC, Amcot, TELMARK, the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Denimatrix and The Seam. He also served as chairman of the National Council of Textile Organizations. He has served two terms on the American Cotton Shippers’ Association Board of Directors, and he was the first American elected to full membership on the Liverpool Cotton Association’s Board of Directors. He previously served as a member of various CCI delegations promoting U.S. cotton in export markets. Darneille currently is vice president of the World Cotton Exporters Association.

PCCA’s Board Chairman Eddie Smith says Darneille’s election will offer a higher level of coordination and cooperation on behalf of the U.S. cotton industry.

“We are able to communicate and make sure we are on the same page about all of the different challenges that the cotton industry faces,” Smith said. “We have a unique relationship in the respect that we can talk about issues that affect CCI and the NCC.” Smith feels that Darneille’s previous experience in the cotton industry serves as an advantage as he leads the CCI as president.

“Wally brings a lot to the table,” Smith said. “He has a lot of relationships that are vital to that organization which is key to being successful at communicating with individuals about issues that the cotton industry will be facing,” Smith said.