Each year the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association recognizes a ginner for outstanding leadership and dedication to the industry. This year, the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association proudly recognizes one such individual whose journey embodies these values—Billy Sickler, the 2024 Southeast Cotton Ginner of the Year. The award was presented at the recent Southern Southeastern Annual meeting in Hilton Head, SC.
Billy’s path to the cotton gin wasn’t the traditional one. Born in Kentucky and later moving to Alabama in high school, he didn’t grow up in the industry. Instead, his journey took a different route—one that began with service to his country. After enlisting in the Army and serving a short time, he returned home to Alabama in search of a job. That search led him to a local cotton gin, where his career in the industry began as a “yard man.”
From the very start, Billy’s exceptional work ethic and problem-solving skills set him apart. It didn’t take long for his leadership potential to be recognized, and by the following season, he was promoted to assistant manager. His former boss once said that he had “never met someone with the work ethic and drive to learn that Billy demonstrated”—an attribute that would serve him well in the years to come.
Billy’s career has been marked by perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. He has experienced both the highs and lows of the business, from ginning just 3,800 bales to overseeing the closure of one gin and the establishment of an entirely new operation. Today, as General Manager of the Associated Cotton Growers Coop in Athens, AL, he leads one of the largest ginning operations in the state—one that recently processed over 62,000 bales in a single season.
Beyond his professional achievements, Billy is a devoted husband to his wife, Erica, and a proud father to their two daughters. Their journey together has been filled with hard work, resilience, and growth—not only in the cotton industry but also in their family life. In addition to managing a thriving gin operation, Billy and Erica own a pet crematory business, and more recently, Billy has embraced his newest and perhaps most cherished role yet: “Grumpy” to his two young grandchildren.
The Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association takes great pride in honoring Billy Sickler as the 2024 Southeast Cotton Ginner of the Year. His story is one of dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to the cotton industry. Please join us in congratulating Billy on this well-deserved recognition!