By Blair White
Upon the retirement of Jay Cowart earlier this summer, long-time PCCA team member Randy Squires was promoted to Vice President of Warehouse Operations. A seasoned professional with decades of experience at PCCA and throughout cotton country, Squires has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and operational success throughout his career. PCCA CEO Kevin Brinkley said Squires was an easy choice.
“Randy has demonstrated a can-do attitude repeatedly, and he does some of his best work under pressure. He is exactly the kind of leader PCCA needed to continue momentum in our Warehouse Division.”
Squires was born and raised in Hobart, Oklahoma, a small town northwest of Lawton. He received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University in 1998. Squires joined PCCA in 2000 as a Field Services Representative for the Oklahoma, Kansas, and the Red River areas, providing invaluable gin accounting and gin services support to those gins. In 2008, Squires transferred to the Warehouse Division and was appointed as the Warehouse Coordinator. In 2019, he was promoted to the Director of Warehouse Administration, where he has since overseen daily operations and project management for the division.
“I’ve worked at PCCA for the last 25 years,” Squires said. “Starting as a field representative and working my way up through the Warehouse Division has given me a very robust understanding of PCCA’s operations and how best to address the needs of our growers and gins. As a leader, it’s invaluable to have experienced the day-to-day challenges and be able to lead your team with that understanding.”
In his new role, Squires looks forward to building upon his predecessor’s foundation. The Warehouse Division team is hoping to store and ship a slightly larger crop than in previous years. Squires plans to leverage technology and innovation to take the Warehouse Division into a new era.
“PCCA has always been a leader in the cotton industry, especially regarding technology,” he explained. “I see the Warehouse team continuing to push the boundaries of technology to find additional efficiencies in the logistical movement of our grower-owners’ cotton. Hopefully, we will have a decent crop to handle this year, enabling us to fulfill those efforts.”
Despite the challenges drought conditions have brought to the cotton industry over the last few years, Squires remains optimistic.
“You know, multiple drought years make things challenging, but they also make us better equipped to handle the bumper crops,” he said. “I have always appreciated what PCCA stands for, and valued the growers that own this co-op. Honesty and respect will take you far in life and in this industry, no matter the challenges you face.”
Reflecting on his years of experience and the values that have guided his career, Squires emphasized the importance of integrity and perseverance in a career in cotton. His passion for PCCA’s mission continues to drive him as he takes on his new role.
“I am very excited and humbled to have been given this opportunity for myself and my family,” Squires said. “I am very fortunate to work for a company with which my values align. I love farming, ranching, and working for a cooperative whose ultimate goal is to serve its farmers.”
Former Vice President of Warehouse Operations, Jay Cowart, expressed his confidence in and deep admiration for Squires. He said he takes great pride in passing the torch to someone he trusts and respects.
“Randy has unmatched loyalty and compassion for PCCA, its members, and employees, coupled with great instincts, honesty, and integrity,” Cowart said. “He perfectly represents PCCA’s core values, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
