Bruce Atherley has served as executive director of Cotton Council International (CCI) since October 1, 2015.

Atherley has a successful track record in global marketing and management having introduced brands and products into global markets in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Bruce does not come from the cotton world, but instead had a 30-year career in consumer marketing and general management with companies including General Mills, Heinz and Wrigley.

Atherley earned a B.S. in Accounting from Bucknell University and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration. He and his wife, Meredith, have three sons.

CCI is the export promotions arm of the Memphis-based National Cotton Council of America. Headquartered in Washington, DC, and with a reach extending to more than 50 countries through 17 offices worldwide, CCI uses trade services and consumer promotion activities to increase exports of U.S. cotton fiber, manufactured cotton goods, cottonseed and their products in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America.