Verett to Retire from Plains Cotton Growers After 24 Years
April 19, 2021 
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Verett is retiring after 24 years of service to PCG and the High Plains cotton industry, effective June 30.
Verett has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization since 1997 and is only the third person to hold the position since PCG was formed in 1956. He announced his retirement during the organization’s Board of Directors meeting on April 9.
Kody Bessent, PCG Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs, was named to succeed Verett, effective July 1, 2021.
Verett accepted the role as CEO in 1997, having previously served as a producer board member from Crosby County and as PCG board president in 1988 and 1989 and chairman in 1990 and 1991. He also served as chairman of the PCG Boll Weevil Steering Committee in 1992 and 1993.
During his tenure, Verett guided the organization through a significant period of change and renewal that allows PCG to successfully work on behalf of cotton producers and the High Plains cotton industry to carry out the mission of the organization. He encouraged staff and volunteer leaders to continually find ways to improve the organization in order to meet the unique challenges that face the region’s cotton economy.
Over the past 24 years, he has worked on countless legislative and regulatory efforts including four farm bills, crop insurance reform and numerous ad hoc assistance programs – including playing a critical role in getting cotton back into TITLE 1 of the 2014 Farm Bill.
Verett is actively involved in numerous professional and community activities. He serves as the treasurer of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, is an active member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee, serves on the board of the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority. He has served on the advisory board for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University, as well as participating on numerous search committees for positions at both TTU and Texas A&M University. He was chairman of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce in 2006 – the first cotton producer to serve in that capacity.
In 2017, Verett was named one of the Top 100 Leaders in agriculture and rural communities nationwide by Farm Credit. In 2006, he was named recipient of the Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award for his service to the U.S. cotton industry and has recently served as a contributor to Cotton Grower’s Cotton Companion podcast.
Based on information provided by Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
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