League manager Simon chosen as King Sucrose of 2023 Sugar Cane Festival
Sugar industry leader James H. “Jim” Simon of New Iberia has been chosen as the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Association’s King Sucrose LXXX.
The Sugar Cane Festival will be held in New Iberia Sept 21-24.
Simon is the manager of the American Sugar Cane League. His family has been in the sugar business for several generations. His grandfather was a sugarcane producer in St. James Parish, his father served as county agent in St. Mary Parish and his brother farmed cane in St. Mary.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural mechanization in 1983 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He completed LSU’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program in 2003 and the Leadership Louisiana Program in 2007.
Simon’s professional career started in banking, but he stayed true to his agrarian interests and served as a senior vice president where he was heavily involved in sugarcane production and sugar processing finance.
After 18 years in banking, Simon was hired as the general manager of the American Sugar Cane League. He is responsible for coordinating federal and state lobbying activities, monitoring research activities, and overseeing the public relations, promotional and educational activities of the organization. Additionally, he monitors environmental, trade, and other industry issues, as well as social and cultural issues which have a daily impact on Louisiana’s $3 billion sugar industry.
After joining the League, Simon quickly rose in prominence among United States sugar industry executives, where he is recognized for his calm, stabilizing demeanor. He has served as chairman of the Washington D.C.-based Sugar Association and is one of the U.S. sugar industry members of the task force responsible for negotiating sugar trade with Mexico.
In addition to his professional work, he has always been civic-minded. He has served on numerous civic organizations in leadership roles including the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, Kiwanis Club of New Iberia, Louisiana Sugarcane Fair & Festival Association, Shadows on the Teche, Boy Scouts and is currently heavily involved in the ACTS Retreat program through St. Peter Church.
Simon and his wife Nancy have three sons and a daughter and are the proud grandparents of Abigail, Jack, Henry and Luke.
