Roney Officially Retires From American Sugarcane League

Jack Roney, who served the American sugar industry for nearly 30 years, was finally retired properly two years after he formally retired when he received his commemorative cane knife from the American Sugar Cane League.

Roney retired in 2020 but because of pandemic quarantine restrictions, he was unable to receive the engraved Louisiana sugarcane knife the League made for him.

Roney and his wife, Debi, traveled to Franklin, La. for the League’s joint meeting with the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Sugar Advisory Committee on November 30.

Roney served as the director of economics and policy analysis for the American Sugar Association (ASA) and was a friend to the leadership of the American Sugar Cane League as well as the rank and file members.

Part of the reason sugarcane continues to be a sustainable economic driver in 21st-century Louisiana is because of Roney’s work running the sugar program at the United States Department of Agriculture as well as his work with the ASA.

“His expertise and down to earth speaking manner has yielded immeasurable results representing sugar in a national forum,” said Jim Simon, League manager. “We’ll miss his steady hand and calm demeanor in the continuing sugar policy debate.”

Jack Pettus, the League’s Washington representative, described Roney’s role representing sugar as the industry’s “Explainomist” rather than “economist” because he had a canny ability to break down the esoteric intricacies of sugar policy into clear and simple language for national sugar policymakers, staff and media.

Roney has held his position at the ASA since 1996. His efforts focus on the development, implementation and defense of U.S. sugar policy and on the implications of multilateral trade negotiations and other trade policy topics for the U.S. sugar industry.

 The American Sugar Cane League is grateful for Jack’s service.