USGC Recognizes Hibner For 25 Years Of Service

The U.S. Grains Council recognized Greg Hibner for 25 years of service to the organization at the Council’s 63rd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Calgary, Canada, held July 26-28.

Hibner spent the last 12 years with the Council as president of Hawkeye Gold, a company specializing in trading and marketing ethanol, grains and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Prior to that, Hibner spent 23 years in Decatur, IL, marketing corn co-products, including corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed. He recently moved into a new role as vice president of business development at JD Heiskell, one of the largest feed manufacturers in the country.

“I traveled to over 35 countries marketing corn gluten meal, corn gluten feed and DDGS, and in the process, became close with the Council’s staff,” Hibner said. “I still have friends in Germany, Switzerland, Colombia, China, Chile and Singapore, among others that I correspond with routinely. I find that fulfilling as I look back on a long career.”

Hibner noted he’s seen his role change significantly over his quarter-century of service as ethanol production boomed.

“In many ways, my growth in ethanol mirrored the Council’s involvement,” Hibner said. “It is now important to my business, important to the Council’s mission and critical to the prosperity of the American grain farmer.”

Increased export opportunities for U.S. producers became more important for Hibner as his career progressed and he got to see how market access generates exciting new revenue avenues.

“As I get older, I see a bigger, more meaningful picture. Developing markets brings people together and cements friendships from different backgrounds,” Hibner said. “It creates personal bonds that enrich lives. Enabling trade creates a culture of listening to truly understand the challenges and potential solutions to trade issues. And improving lives, well, isn’t that ‘what a life well lived’ is all about?”

Hibner added that his fondest memories of the Council include trips to Indonesia with Council Vice President Cary Sifferath and a recent journey to Brazil with Craig Willis, Council agribusiness ethanol and co-products sector director who works closely with Hibner and the Council’s Latin American team.

Out of the office, Hibner and his wife, Kim, oversee farm and ethanol investments and enjoy spending time with their two grandsons, and are awaiting their third.

“Obviously family is my first passion. Agriculture is my second passion and with the tremendous help of my farm tenants, 35 years of investing and patience from my family, we have built up a sizable farm run by the best farmers in the Midwest,” Hibner said.

Please join the Council in congratulating Greg for his 25 years of service!