STUTTGART, Ark. – The farmer members of Riceland Foods, Inc. elected three new board members to its Board of Directors. Curtis Fox of Gillett, Ark. will serve as the new director representing the Stuttgart District. Britt Allmon of Pollard, Ark. will serve as a director of the Northeast Arkansas District. Cole Hicks of Walnut Ridge, Ark. will serve the Jonesboro District. Fox, Allmon, and Hicks began their three-year terms of service on Riceland’s board of directors in May.
Riceland’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Rich Hillman expressed his thanks to the retiring and incoming directors.
“It has been a pleasure to serve alongside Brandon, Wayne, and Fred, and they have my deepest thanks for their sincere dedication and service. They did an outstanding job of fulfilling their responsibilities on the Board of Directors by acting with integrity and contributing meaningful leadership that was in the best interest of Riceland, its members, and employees,” Hillman said. “Their service paves the way for the next generation of cooperative leaders, and I am looking forward to serving with Curtis, Britt, and Cole, as they take on their new roles.”
An Arkansas County native, Curtis Fox began farming rice, soybeans, and corn in 2018. Fox graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in plant and soil science. He has held various roles in production agriculture spanning retail sales, independent crop consulting, and agronomy. Fox serves on the nominating committee for Ag Heritage Farm Credit Services, and he previously served as a councilman of the City of Gillett.
“Riceland has a history of great leadership. Everyone has been here a while, and I think that is a testament to strong leadership within the Board of Directors and throughout the company,” Fox said. “I am looking forward to serving the cooperative’s members across my district.”
Cole Hicks is a fifth-generation farmer in Lawrence County. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in crop science, Hicks came back to the family farm in 2018. His love for agriculture began as a child, and he strives to be a good steward of the land. Hicks values the traditions of agriculture, and he is always looking for opportunities to innovate on the farm to create a lasting, sustainable future for generations to come.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve our district and the members of Riceland,” Hicks said. “Living and farming alongside many of our members, I understand the vital role Riceland plays in farm operations, mine included. It is both an honor and a privilege to represent the interests of Riceland and its members on the board, and I am committed to serving them with dedication and integrity.”
Britt Allmon is a third-generation farmer from Pollard, Ark. With over 30 years of experience with his grandfather and dad on the family farm, Allmon was elected to the seat his father, Wayne, held on the Riceland Board of Directors. Allmon currently serves on the Post Oak Cemetery Association.
“I’ve been a part of Riceland all my life,” Allmon said. “Riceland has been a good partner to work with, and I am looking forward to continuing the legacy of the cooperative and serving the members within my district.”
Riceland’s board of directors had three retirements this year. Brandon Bauman, a fourth-generation farmer of Stuttgart, Ark., served the Stuttgart District membership for 12 years. Wayne Allmon, a third-generation farmer from Pollard, Ark., served on the Riceland board of directors for 24 years. Fred Schmidt, a second-generation farmer of Jonesboro, Ark., served the Jonesboro District members for 15 years.
Riceland Foods President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin McGilton shared his gratitude for the retiring board members.
“It has been an honor to work with Brandon, Fred, and Wayne. Their service has helped position the cooperative for a better, brighter future,” McGilton said. “Through their combined 51 years of service, each of them has served their districts well. Thank you for your commitment to your cooperative.”
Riceland Food’s board of directors formulate the policies that guide the operations of the cooperative, responsible for storing, processing, transporting, and marketing more than 2.5 million metric tons of grain each year. Riceland products are sold across the United States and exported to more than 25 foreign destinations.
