By John Johnson
A family tradition of cooperative leadership took another step forward when PCCA members attending the cooperative’s 50th Annual Stockholders Meeting on September 17 elected Lexie Fennell to represent District 3 on the board of directors. He replaces the late Larry Lockwood.
Lexie Fennell
Fennell, 42, has farmed for 24 years and currently is serving his first year as president of the board at Springlake-Earth Cotton Growers Coop Gin. Previously, he served several years as vice president of the board. Fennell’s other leadership duties include 14 years on PCCA’s Delegate Body, four years on the Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors, and eight years on the board of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., (PCG). His father was president of the local gin’s board for 18 years and served as president of the Plainview Cooperative Compress Board.
“This will be my last year on the PCG Board,” says Fennell. “I’m cutting back because I want to do a good job for my local coop gin, PCCA and all the members of District 3,” he adds. “I’m honored and excited to serve on PCCA’s Board of Directors, and I really believe in the cooperative principle.”
With the assistance of his wife Kelley and 12-year-old triplets Amy, Heath and Blake, Fennell raises cotton, corn, wheat, cattle and sheep on a 5,000 acre farming operation headquartered in northern Lamb County. He uses a minimum tillage crop rotation system to maximize his cotton yields and conserve water.
“We also maintain a herd of 70 cows to raise club calves,” Fennell says. “We sell some of the calves and keep some to show. Our major family events are the livestock shows.”
PCCA members also re-elected the following directors during the cooperative’s recent annual meeting: Eddie Smith, District 4; Charles Macha, District 5; and Jackie Mull, District 6.
