Phillip Burnett, a former chief staff executive for the National Cotton Council (NCC), has received the 2018 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award. He was honoured during the NCC’s 2019 annual meeting, which was held in San Antonio, from February 8-10, 2019. The NCC of America is a trade organisation for cotton production in the United States.
The award, named for the late California industry leader and past NCC president, Harry Baker, is presented annually to a deserving individual who has provided extraordinary service, leadership and dedication to the US cotton industry, according to NCC.Phillip Burnett, a former chief staff executive for the National Cotton Council (NCC), has received the 2018 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award. He was honoured during the NCC's 2019 annual meeting, which was held in San Antonio, from February 8-10, 2019. The NCC of America is a trade organisation for cotton production in the United States.#
In presenting the award, outgoing NCC chairman Ron Craft noted that during Burnett’s tenure he maximised opportunities for the US cotton industry among international customers, lawmakers, regulatory agencies, and allied industry.
“Burnett took great pride in seeing the Council utilise its greatest strength – unity among membership – which fostered the necessary consensus-building to ensure the cotton industry’s interests were advanced in Congress and the executive branch. Among his many legacies was the attainment of the highest levels of membership for both the Council and The Cotton Foundation. He also instilled confidence and creativity with cotton industry leadership and staff,” Craft said.
Burnett has earned a business administration degree from the University of Mississippi in 1966 before joining the NCC as a field representative. In 1972, he was named the NCC’s assistant Washington representative and worked with multiple regulatory agencies on issues ranging from plant protection product registrations to clean air/water rules to health/safety standards.
In 1977, Burnett returned to the Memphis office as assistant to the executive vice president – a position he held for four years before joining the Cotton Board, where he worked on the producer- funded research and promotion programs conducted by Cotton Incorporated. In 1989, he returned to the NCC after being named to the dual role of executive vice president and chief executive officer. Simultaneously, he served as chief executive officer of CCI and executive vice president of The Cotton Foundation. (GK)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India