Mr. Richard Lindsey has been named as the recipient of the 2024 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year award by the National Cotton Ginners Association. Mr. Lindsey is a Cherokee county native and began his career with his first harvest in 1957 as a 4-H project.

Mr. Lindsey was presented with this distinguished award at the 2025 National Cotton Ginner Association’s annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Lindsey continues to be very active in the cotton industry and is still active in the management duties of the Cherokee Gin and Cotton Company, which happens to be the largest gin in Alabama. .

The award presented to Mr. Lindsey is based on the efficient and faithful service to the ginning industry and to those principles seen from Horace Hayden, a former NCGA executive secretary. Mr. Lindsey is a member of many boards, including First Southern State Bank, Cherokee County Alfa Organization, and Howell Cemetery Association Mr. Lindsey also served in the Alabama Legislature for over 35 years as well.

Mr. Lindsey is the current President of the NCGA, and has also served on many National Cotton Ginners and National Cotton Council committees as well. During its annual meeting, the NCGA elected as its 2025 officers Mr. Lindsey was chosen as Chairman of the Board.