Appleton Announces USGC Departure, Coe Returns

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is in the midst of a changing of the guard for the organization’s executive assistant as Abigail Appleton prepares to depart and Courtney Coe assumes the role.

Appleton, the current executive assistant, will leave the organization on Jan. 17, 2020, as she relocates to Florida with her husband. She joined the Council in April 2017. In her role, Appleton coordinated administrative and travel arrangements for the USGC board of directors and executive staff as well as prepared meeting materials for directors’ meetings.

“It was an honor to have Abigail as our executive assistant,” said Kim Atkins, USGC vice president and chief operating officer. “Her background as a farm kid from Iowa and her prior work experience has served her and the team well at the Council.”

Prior to joining the Council, Appleton served as special assistant to the executive vice president of the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., where she managed the organizational planning process and assisted with the executive coordination of events management.

Appleton earned a master’s degree in political science and international relations from the American University in Cairo, a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and political science from Valparaiso University.

As Appleton prepares to depart, Coe returned to the Council on Oct. 15 as the incoming executive assistant. In her new role, Coe will be a member of the executive team and provide support to the Council’s staff and board of directors. While in transition, Coe is also assisting the USGC membership department.

“I am very pleased and excited that Courtney has returned to work at the Council,” said Helen Elmore, USGC director of finance and administration. “Courtney is a delight to have as a co-worker with a ‘let’s get it done’ approach to work.”

Coe previously joined the Council in December 2016 as the receptionist and administrative assistant for the Council and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). In March 2017, the Council promoted Coe to membership and communications coordinator. In this role, she served as a liaison between the membership and communication departments and managed website content, assisted with membership meeting planning and implementation, maintained membership records and completed other various administrative duties. Coe left the Council in July 2018 to spend time with her son.

Please join the Council in welcoming Courtney back to the organization and wishing Abigail farewell!