Transportation Strategic Planning Blog

The Transportation Strategic Planning Committee as clearly defined below, has been re-authorized to continue their work to ensure efficient methods of logistics in the movement of Texas cotton. The committee has met during the course of the last couple of years with other industry leaders and warehousemen to contiue to reach solutions that will benefit each segment of the trade. In order that they may address current issues that may arise during 2017-2018, we URGE  participation in the BLOG. The BLOG was established so that the cotton industry as a whole in Texas can perfect the flow of our cotton by maintaining an "on-going and inclusive dialogue that drives problem recognition, solution development, and implementation". 

BACKGROUND:  President David Edwards, appointed a Transportation Strategic Planning Committee (TSPC), a small task force comprised of a diverse group of warehousemen and merchants with significant and long-term commitments in Texas, to meet and identify main issues facing the Texas cotton transportation and overall industry flow. The special committee met weekly for over a month prior to the Flow/Marketing Meeting held in Lubbock on September 12, 2014, in which a WORKING REPORT was presented. TSPC Chairman, Michael Symonanis, presented a working report to the TCA board of directors on September 11, 2014, and was accompanied by Liz Chandler, Ray Haggard, Mike McBain, and David Fields. President Edwards charged the committee to continue their work and has been re-authorized in subsequent years and continues to be a work in progress during 2017-2018 . TSPC Committee members requested that the TCA provide a vehicle to include a broader industry/stakeholders on feedback and perspectives to the Committee after the Flow Meeting. The TSPC Committee desires an on-going and inclusive dialogue that drives problem recognition, solution development, and implementation. In order for the industry to function at optimal levels given global competition, the TCA is resolved to creating a culture of continuous improvement in flow management and supports the desire of the TSPC.

Current members of the TSPC include Chairman, Michael Symonanis of Allenberg Cotton Co., Cordova, Tn., Liz Chandler, Chairman of the TCA Standing Committee - Compresses, Warehouses & Transportation, Alan Underwood & Ray Haggard of Underwood Cotton Co, Lubbock, Jay Cowart of PCCA, Altus, Ok., Brett Underwood of Trinity Co., Lubbock, Tx., Mike Nettles of Farmers Coop Compress, Lubbock, Tx., Robert Swize of Gulf Compress, Corpus Christi, Tx., and Mike McBain of R & T Truck & Laredo Cotton Transfer of Lubbock and Laredo. Joining the special committee in consultation include the executive leadership of the American Cotton Shippers Association, the Texas Cotton Association, and the Cotton Warehouse Association of America. 

The text of the working report of the TSPC is provided for your reference. We have provided this BLOG on our website to encourage dialogue and invite all industry to participate.Comments are public on our website. Comment period is open and will be ongoing until further notice.
Transportation Strategic Planning Committee - WORKING REPORT