Ronald Bailey, Sr.
Jun 14, 2016
USA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Ronald Wade Bailey, Sr., of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who passed away on June 10, at the age of 80.
Bailey became the head of Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 1967 and under his 21-years of leadership the cooperative became a major global competitor in the rice industry. During his tenure Producers acquired nine green rice drying and storage facilities throughout eastern Arkansas, and saw farmer-member receipts increase from 4.5 million to 20.4 million bushels annually.
“Ronald Bailey was a visionary leader for Producers Rice Mill, Inc.,” said Producers current President & CEO Keith Glover. “Much of Producers’ success today can be traced to his leadership and the construction and acquisition of some of the most modern rice facilities within the industry during his tenure as president.”
Bailey was a past chairman of the USA Rice Millers’ Association and was appointed to the Rice Advisory Council by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture where he served on the International Programs Committee.
Funeral services were held this morning. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs and the Gina Renee Bailey Scholarship Fund in care of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Stuttgart.