Americot, Inc., a leading supplier of premium cotton seed, is pleased to announce the addition of four germplasm specialists to the research and germplasm team. “As we continue to expand our regional variety cotton seed products, it is important for us to add key individuals that have the direct experience and regional understanding within these areas,” said Dr. Douglas Jost, Americot director of research and germplasm. “We are extremely fortunate to have highly-talented cotton-industry research professionals like Scott, Brooks, Todd and Levi join our team.”

Scott Russell has transitioned from Southeast sales representative to research and germplasm specialist, based in Georgia and supporting customer sales and growers in the area. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology/Integrated Pest Management (IPM), then earned a Master of Science degree in Entomology from Louisiana State University. He has been with Americot since 2017 and previously spent 17 years as an independent crop consultant for cotton and peanut growers in South Georgia.

Dr. Sterling Brooks Blanche graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in in Agronomy, then completed a Master of Science degree in Weed Science at Mississippi State University. He then earned a Ph.D. in Agronomy and Crop Science from Louisiana State University, where doctoral studies focused on cotton breeding location, variety and environmental interactions. Before joining Americot, Brooks worked as a Cotton Development Specialist for Phytogen for seven years, and prior to that was an agronomist and assistant professor at Louisiana State University. Based out of Saint Joseph, Louisiana, Brooks supports research and breeding efforts for growers in the Southeast and Delta regions as a germplasm specialist.

Dr. Todd Spivey joins Americot as a germplasm specialist, supporting our research and breeding activities for growers in North Carolina and Southeast regions. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and holds a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology where he focused on cotton production. Prior to joining Americot, Todd served as the state soybean agronomist for the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

Levi Schaefer is a graduate of Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics, as well as a Master of Science degree in Agribusiness. He was involved in cotton research while at Texas Tech and has spent the last several years farming and as an independent Oil and Gas Landman. Levi joins Americot as a germplasm specialist, supporting research and breeding efforts in the Northern and Southern Plains of Texas.

Americot, Inc., headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, provides U.S. cotton growers with quality seed of localized varieties, offering high yield potential and excellent fiber quality, along with the technologies that growers want and need. American-owned and fully independent, Americot is a national leader in cotton seed production and technologies. For more information on Americot and our NexGen brand cotton products, call 888.678.SEED (7333) or visit www.americot.com.

Contact:
Tyrell Currie
Marketing & Communications Manager
806.793.1431, ext 140
tcurrie@americot.com