Barry Aycock

William Barry Aycock (born January 21, 1969) is an American investor and entrepreneur from Parma, Missouri.

Barry Aycock
Barry Aycock with Ted Strickland in 2016
Born (1969-01-21) January 21, 1969
Sikeston, Missouri, U.S.
Alma materSoutheast Missouri State University (B.S.) University of Missouri (M.Ed.) Southern Illinois University (Ph.D.)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Michelle Masters Aycock
ChildrenJoel, Jonathan

Early life

Aycock was born in Sikeston, Missouri. One of three siblings, Aycock graduated from Risco High School in Risco, Missouri.

Education

Aycock obtained a B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University, a M.Ed. from The University of Missouri and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University.

Career

Aycock formed Aycock Agricultural Services in 1988, which would eventually go on to become the largest cotton consulting firm in the United States and South America. 1995 was a defining year for Aycock. He was appointed to numerous state boards by then-Governor Mel Carnahan, and was also named the National Cotton Consultant of the Year by Cotton Farming Magazine. He was the youngest and only Missourian to ever win the award. The success in his home state of Missouri led him to an appointment under Bolivian Ambassador to the United States, Andrés Petricevic. Throughout 1998, Aycock served as a cotton consultant to the Government of Bolivia.

AgXplore International

In 1999, Aycock founded AgXplore International in his hometown of Parma, Missouri. Under his leadership, AgXplore grew to be a leader in surfactants, fertilizers, and fertilizer additives. Many of the products created at AgXplore have gone on to be used by farmers around the globe. Between 1999 and 2019, AgXplore grew to become a leading agricultural company with sales in forty states and fourteen countries, and a sales force that grew from one to over fifty employees. In 2010, Aycock started a new branch of his operation with Tri-County Seed, one of the largest cottonseed vendors in the State of Missouri.

Cotton Gin Operations

In 2005, Aycock furthered his footprint in the cotton industry with the construction of Sandy Ridge Cotton Co. in Malden, Missouri. Aycock divested of his shares in Sandy Ridge Cotton Co. in 2018. In 2019, he purchased two cotton gin operations, the Bernie Farmers Gin located in Malden, Missouri and the Mahan Gin in Parma, Missouri. In 2020, Aycock acquired Portageville Farmers Gin in Portageville, Missouri.

Other Ventures

Aycock is heavily invested in operations outside of the agricultural industry.

In 2016, Aycock partnered with legendary WWE personality Jerry Lawler to open a bar and grill on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2017, the pair expanded to open King Jerry Lawler's Memphis BBQ Company, a fast-casual barbecue chain of restaurants.[1][2]

In 2017, Aycock entered into the senior care industry with the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in Sikeston, Missouri. He expanded his footprint with the purchase of an existing skilled care facility in Marshall, Missouri.

In 2019, Aycock became a minority owner of the Texas Legends, a G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. The team is based out of Frisco, Texas.[3]

Awards

1995 - Named National Cotton Consultant of the Year by Cotton Farming Magazine [4]

2015 - Named to Ingram's Magazine list of 50 Missourians You Should Know [5]

Politics

Aycock has been involved with Democratic politics in the State of Missouri for the majority of his adult life. From 2007 to 2008, he was the largest single fundraiser for Governor Jay Nixon, and was successful in raising over $300,000 from over 100 different donors.

2008 - Named to Governor Jay Nixon's transition team.[6]

2009 - Appointed to Governor Jay Nixon's Economic Stimulus Coordination Council.[7]

2009 - Finalist for the Missouri Director of Agriculture position.

2010 - Appointed to The Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges [8]

2013 - Declined appointment to Missouri Director of Agriculture position.[9]

2016 - Frontrunner for Lieutenant Governor in the 2016 Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election.[10]

References
  1. "Jerry Lawler's Restaurant Live Wrestling Results – Lawler, Koko B. Ware, "Superstar" Bill Dundee officially open Lawler's Memphis restaurant". PWTorch. September 6, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  2. "Lawler opens BBQ restaurant". The Commercial Appeal. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  3. "Owners Bio's". Texas Legends. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  4. "2018 Cotton Consultant of the Year". Cotton Farming Magazine. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  5. "50 Missourians You Should Know". Ingram's Magazine. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  6. "Citizen Advisers Across State Will Help Recruit Broad-Based, Highly Qualified Pool of Applicants for Nixon Administration". Branson Agent. December 5, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  7. "Missouri Economic Stimulus Coordination Council" (PDF). February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  8. "Southeast Missouri businessman named to judge discipline panel". Columbia Missourian. August 24, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  9. "Aycock Considers Missouri's Director of Agriculture". ShowMe Times. October 15, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  10. "Parson to move to Lt. Governors Race". The Missouri Times. July 24, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
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