C.M. Lynn, First Director In Taiwan, Passes Away At 94

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is saddened at the news that C.M. Lynn, the organization’s first director in Taiwan, passed away this week at the age of 94.

Lynn joined the Council upon the opening of its Taiwan office in 1973 and served as director until his retirement in 2008.

Throughout his career, Lynn organized numerous trade teams to the United States and other countries and invited more than 100 experts to Taiwan to provide technical services. He conducted training sessions and seminars and published various technical materials to assist Taiwan’s feed, livestock and grain processing industries in enhancing their production techniques and management efficiency. These initiatives significantly contributed to the advancement of Taiwan’s agricultural sector and the strengthening of trade relations between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Lynn maintained close relationships with Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture, feed industry associations, corn and barley product associations, pig and poultry associations as well as academic and research institutions. His role as a bridge between those sectors fostered collaboration and elevated Taiwan’s agricultural industry as a whole.

“I am very sorry to hear about former director Lynn’s passing, he was a great man who made invaluable contributions to the U.S.-Taiwan agricultural trading relationship,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO. “He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him and we all thank him for his tremendous contributions to the Council and the U.S. agricultural industry.”

Lynn (second from right) returned to the Council’s Taiwan office for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2023 along with Chang (leftmost), LeGrand (second from left) and current USGC Director in Taiwan Michael Lu (rightmost).

“Mr. Lynn was a pioneer and a steadfast advocate for U.S. agriculture in Taiwan,” Lu said. “His leadership laid a strong foundation for the Council’s mission in Taiwan, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of agricultural cooperation and partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan.”

Lynn was honored for his 35 years of service to the Council at the organization’s 48th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska in 2008, a testament to his commitment to U.S. agriculture, his influence in the Taiwanese market and the mark he left on the Council’s history.

“This is such sad news,” said Tom Sleight, former USGC president and CEO. “C.M. was a role model for me, from my early days as a technical coordinator to my final days working for the Council.”

Lynn’s long and storied career with the Council saw him work with countless colleagues across many countries, touching each of them with his dedication to the Council’s mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives. Lynn is pictured here at the Great Wall of China with former USGC President and CEO Ken Hobbie (right) in 1994.

“He was truly one of a kind and both the Council and me personally were very fortunate to have known him and spent quality time with him,” Hobbie said.

USGC Vice President Cary Sifferath (left) conversing with Lynn and former USGC Executive Director of International Operations Rick Tolman (right) at former USGC Director in China Jeff Brown’s residence in Beijing, China in 1994.

“I worked closely with C.M. during my early years with the Council. His influence helped me grow personally and professionally, and I can’t express enough gratitude for that,” Sifferath said. “I, and all of my Council colleagues who knew him, thank him for all he’s done for the Council and the people around him.”

The Council extends its best wishes to Lynn’s family and friends, and on behalf of its membership, thanks him sincerely for his remarkable efforts for the Council during his incredible life.

If you would like to extend a note of condolence to Lynn’s family, please email it to Michael Lu at mlu@grains.org by May 3.