Four USGC D.C.-Based Staff Recognized For Five Years Of Service

While each department in the Washington, D.C., headquarters office of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has a different focus, they all work together to fulfill the Council’s mission. This talent is evidenced by four members of the Council’s D.C.-based staff recognized for five years of service during the organization’s 17th International Marketing Conference and 60th Annual Membership Meeting in Tampa, Florida.

Isaac Belete knew from the start he would be a good fit as the Council’s IT manager when he first learned about the position. His work is crucial to keep the Washington, D.C., headquarters office running smoothly no matter the infrastructure challenges that arise.

“What interested me most about the position was the opportunity to work with local and global clients as well as managing different IT projects,” Belete said. “Working at the Council allows me to use my previous experience while continuing to develop my expertise in new areas of responsibilities.”

Emily Byron has also tackled programmatic and logistical challenges during her five years with the Council. She started as the global programs coordinator, focusing on the logistics and coordination of the Council’s international programs. She later transitioned into her current role as manager of global programs, expanding that work to focus on member missions, consultant missions and trade teams.

“When I took on my new role, I was able to dig deeper into marketing strategy and member relations,” Byron said. “I have worked more closely with our international staff to determine what strategies work best for their markets and have worked more closely with our members to enhance their experience with Council programs overseas.”

Like Byron, Lucas Szabo also began his Council career as a global programs coordinator. In this role, he developed a strong base knowledge of the organization. He transitioned into working with the ethanol department as the manager of ethanol export programs, taking on the lead role in program implementation.

When Szabo was promoted to manager of global ethanol market development, his duties shifted to a focus on strategic planning, including for the Global Ethanol Summit in November 2019.

“The Summit included 400 international participants from more than 60 countries,” Szabo said. “Seeing the culmination of the Council’s hard work developing ethanol markets around the world come together at one unified event was very rewarding.”

Melissa Kessler joins Byron and Szabo as a key member of the Council whose position has evolved over time to fit her expertise.

In summer 2014, Kessler received a call from Marri Tejada, longtime director of communications. Tejada was moving to Panama to assume a new position as the Council’s regional director of the Western Hemisphere. Kessler took the call and eventually joined the Council, leading the Council’s internal and external communications efforts.

Over time the organization’s needs grew, and Kessler transitioned into the role of director of strategic relations. Now she works to strengthen relationships with Council supporters and international partners through strategic communications, trade education efforts and increasing awareness of Council programs.

“I enjoy the complexity of the work at the Council. We truly do a little bit of everything, a little bit of everywhere,” she said. “I always tell people I will never have a more interesting job, no matter what the future may hold.”

Please join us in celebrating these D.C.-based staff members as they each mark five years of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives with the Council!