Rick Lavis

Rick Lavis in his office

Tempe - Maricopa County

Inducted in 2017

When Rick Lavis lost his battle with cancer in November of 2016 Arizona lost a strong and well respected advocate for the cotton industry and Arizona agriculture as a whole. He served Arizona agriculture well for 36 years. Although Rick did not come to the Arizona Cotton Growers Association with a strong cotton background, his dedication to the industry and his ability to learn quickly made him a powerhouse.

He arrived here from Washington, D. C. where he served as the deputy assistant Secretary of the Indian Affairs, Department of Interior, but his expertise was not confined to the Washington scene. Between 1968 and 1971 he was the director of development and alumni affairs for the Orme School in Mayor, Arizona. In 1971 he went back to Washington, D.C. where he spent the next seven years working for Senator Paul J. Fannin as his legislative assistant and chief of staff in the Washington D.C. office. Between 1971 and 1978 he was responsible for all legislation, appropriations and Federal regulatory action affecting health, education, social, welfare and Indian affair programs emanating from that office.

Rick not only became effective for the cotton industry in Arizona, his influence benefitted all of Arizona agriculture. “Rick shoots straight”, said Jim Klinker of the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, “He is thorough on getting the details on issues that affect cotton growers. He is ‘Mr. Cotton’ to policy makers.”

The same sentiment echoed through all of the letters of recommendation for Rick’s nomination to the Hall of Fame. Paul Ollerton, owner of Tierra Verde Farms, stated, “There is no one in the Arizona cotton industry that hasn’t been affected by Rick’s leadership. In his role as the head of the Arizona Cotton Growers Association (ACGA) he represents us before state and federal legislative and regulatory agencies that affect how we do business on a day to day basis. This is not only for cotton growers, but the cotton ginners and marketers that are all affected by legislation and regulatory practices that the cotton industry needs to deal with.” In his support for Rick’s nomination W. Bruce Heiden of H-Four Farms wrote, “Rick Lavis has served Cotton and all of agriculture for 36 years. He is highly respected by the State Legislature, regulatory agencies and the Governor’s office. He enjoys good relations with other agricultural organizations both in state and nationally. All of Arizona agriculture is better off today because of Rick Lavis’ efforts for 36 years.”