By Hallie Bertrand

One of five finalists for state award

(L to R) Natalia Moore, ACG’s H.R. Director; Tom Pauken, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman; Bryan Gregory, PCCA’s Vice President of Textile Manufacturing; and Tresa West, Workforce Solutions South Plains Chairwoman.

In April 2011, American Cotton Growers (ACG) received the Workforce Solutions South Plains’ 2011 Employer of the Year award that recognized the denim mill’s innovative workforce strategies. However, the recognition did not stop at the regional level. ACG was one of five finalists for the Texas Workforce Commission’s Employer of the Year award for the state of Texas.

ACG also was the recipient of the Employer Award of Excellence for its involvement with local workforce boards and for being a positive role model for workers, other employers, and the community.

Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken also awarded ACG one of five Manufacturing Star awards for being an outstanding manufacturing company.

Pauken is a promoter of protecting and building domestic manufacturing businesses. He presented the award to PCCA’s Vice President of Textile Manufacturing Bryan Gregory during a brief ceremony in Lubbock.