May 2024 Monthly Meeting

Jim Simon possesses a genuine interest in agriculture and its people. Sugar, and rice production along with other agricultural interest have been part of his family for several generations. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 from the L. S. U. College of Agriculture.

He has served as Chairman of the Board, or Committee chairman of several civic organizations in New Iberia including the Chamber of Commerce, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, Kiwanis, the Sugarcane Fair & Festival and Shadows on the Teche.

He is recognized as a national sugar industry leader as he is a Past-Chairman of the Board of the Sugar Association. He is also one of four U.S. Sugar Industry representatives on the “Mexican Task Force”, a team that negotiates sugar trade with Mexico and served and as Chairman of USDA’s Sweetener Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee.

In June 2004, after a career in banking, Jim joined the American Sugar Cane League as its General Manager. He monitors research activities and coordinates the federal and state lobbying activities, and deals with environmental, trade, and other industry issues, as well as social and cultural issues which have a daily impact on the Louisiana sugar industry.

Jim, and his wife Nancy, reside in New Iberia.