By Blair McCowen
Each year at the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council (TACC) annual meeting, individuals in the industry are honored for succeeding in the areas of business, leadership, service, efficiency and more. This year, Randy Reid, Bob Snodgrass, and John Dunlap received awards for doing what they do best in the world of cotton and coops.
RANDY REID – GINNER OF THE YEAR
The words honor, integrity, passion and vision have all been used to describe the Cooperative Ginner of the Year award recipient Randy Reid, but the praise for his work does not stop there.
Among those who have commended Reid’s work is Larry Black of Central Rolling Plains Coop located in Roscoe, Texas. Black said Reid is a man dedicated to customer service, efficiency, and profitability, and has made his gin a leader in the area it serves.
Further admiration for Reid came from Tommy Engleke, TACC’s executive vice president, who said some years ago Reid made quite a first impression on him.
“I was blown away by his meticulous attention to finance,” Engleke said. “It is impeccable, and needless to say, his record proved well to his coop and later to TACC.”
Reid, a native of Lamesa, Texas, is the current gin manager at Tri County Producers Cooperative in Loop, Texas.
Since beginning to “live and breathe” the ginning business at age 26, Reid has been a part of Miles Coop, Windham Coop, and now manages Tri County Producers Coop which was formed after the merger of Windham and Loop cooperatives. He also has been active in state cooperative associations, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, National Cotton Council, and served as TACC’s Board President in 2010.
Reid graduated from Lamesa High School and attended college at Texas Tech University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and finance. Reid and his wife, Anna, have been married since 2004. He has a stepson, Steven, and five grandchildren: Dakota, Jerian, Victoria, Brook, and Ashley. Described as a busy man with a big heart, the 13-year Tri County Producers Coop manager stays involved in his community by supporting local sports programs, homecoming activities and livestock shows, as well as providing scholarships to students through his gin.
BOB SNODGRASS – DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Growing up in a military family gave the late Bob Snodgrass the opportunity to call anywhere from Virginia to Texas home, but he ultimately found his home in the hearts of the people in the cotton industry. Chris Gwinn, PCCA South Texas Manager, said Snodgrass had a personality that was never overlooked.
“Bob was a dedicated family man with a big heart, great sense of humor, and strong faith,” Gwinn said. “He was known for his leadership, work ethic, and wit – as well as his conversational skills.”
After graduating from Coleman High School in Coleman, Texas, Snodgrass earned his business degree from the University of Texas in Austin. It was also here that he re- united with his childhood sweetheart, Mary Margaret. Today, they have five children and eleven grandchildren.
Before beginning a career in the cotton industry, Snodgrass worked in the wholesale business in Houston, Texas. After moving to Bryan, Texas, in the 1980s, he began
a cotton warehousing career, then worked for 24 years at the Taylor Compress in Taylor, Texas.
In 1991, Snodgrass furthered his involvement in the industry and joined Texas Cotton Growers, Inc. He also held offices ranging from delegate to president on boards for TACC, Cotton Growers Warehouse Association, and the National Cotton Council.
Reminiscing about her husband’s personality and work ethic, Snodgrass’ wife Mary Margaret said, “Bob was the most unselfish person I have ever met. He did everything for everybody and never put himself first.”
Bob Snodgrass, TACC’s Distinguished Service Award Recipient, has left a legacy in the cotton industry and set an example of selflessness for others to follow. He is remembered for his talkative nature and glowing sense of humor, as well as his outstanding work and contributions to the agricultural industry and its people.
JOHN DUNLAP – COOPERATOR OF THE YEAR
It has been said that once a person “gets bit by the farming bug” he can never get it out of his system. For this Cooperator of the Year, the “farming bug” is what helped him get started in the agricultural industry.
When John Dunlap was eight years old, his father taught him how to drive a tractor on the family farm in Floyd County. According to President and CEO of Farmers Cooperative Compress Ron Harkey, Dunlap has been driving that tractor ever since, all the while striving for success.
“John has quietly and steadily led Farmers Cooperative Compress as Chairman since 2004,” Harkey said. “He is always willing to be open minded and never afraid to push back if needed. I have certainly learned to respect his honesty, integrity, and genuine love for cooperatives.”
After graduating from Floydada High School in 1968, Dunlap attended Texas Tech University and received his degree in agronomy.
After college and during his first year of farming, Dunlap began serving on coop boards for various organizations and continued to do so in the years that followed. He first served on the Floydada Producers Coop Elevator Board and soon added to his coop service experience with the Floydada Coop Gin Board and the Lighthouse Electric Cooperative Board. Dunlap also served on the Floyd County Farm Services Board, the Floydada Independent School Board, and the Cotton Incorporated Board.
Dunlap currently resides in his hometown of Floydada, Texas, with his wife of 43 years, Judy. They have three children: Robert, Bonnie, and Melissa; and two granddaughters: Karis and Laityn.
According to Judy, her husband’s “one and only hobby” is people. As a result of having such a hobby, Dunlap’s ability to serve others has been highlighted in the award of Cooperator of the Year.
