Council Welcomes Three New Global Staff Members

This week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) welcomed three new staff members to its global team – Linda Schmid, Ellie Yan and Xiaoming Wang.

Schmid joined the Council’s ethanol team in the Washington, D.C., headquarters as the new manager of ethanol policy and sustainability. In this role, Schmid will assist the director of global ethanol market development, the global ethanol team and global offices in the development and implementation of an effective multilateral strategy for U.S. corn-based ethanol opportunities. She will plan, coordinate and implement ethanol activities around the globe, while mapping relationships for engagement efforts.

Linda Schmid

“We have been eagerly anticipating the addition of Linda to the ethanol team. Her dynamic background, enthusiasm and passion for trade, as well as her robust international experience, will enable the Council to pursue new market development opportunities and further solidify key relationships within the global energy, environmental and transportation community,” said Mackenzie Boubin, USGC director of global ethanol export development.

Schmid previously held positions at the World Bank, USAID and most recently was a consultant working on international trade and industry analysis for various entities and institutions around the world. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.

Yan came on board this week as the new program manager in the Council’s China office. Yan will lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Council’s programs in the country.

Ellie Yan

Prior to joining the Council, Yan worked in numerous organizations, including media, the Netherlands Agri-Food & Technology Centre and Tsinghua University. For nine years, Yan served as a project officer in a government institution, supporting international communication and cooperation in Chinese language and culture.

“Throughout her professional journey, Ellie has developed her networking, managerial and organizational skills,” said Manuel Sanchez, USGC director in China. “Her contributions will aid the Council’s program implementation in this vital market for U.S. coarse grains.”

Yan holds a bachelor’s degree in languages from Jinan University in Shandong Province, China.

Also in the China office, Wang serves as the new marketing specialist, focusing on coarse grains and co-product promotion. In this role, Wang will assist the country director in developing market strategy and implementing the Council’s market development programs in China.

Wang previously served as a consultant at Tractus Asia, serving multiple U.S. states in promoting trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. His latest assignment was as chief representative of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, facilitating trade and FDI in East Asia and South Asia markets. Before Tractus Asia, Wang managed production in the industrial packaging sector at Deufol China and Seaworthy Packaging Solutions.

Xiaoming Wang

“Xiaoming brings both the knowledge and experience we need to better serve the single-largest market for U.S. agriculture,” Sanchez said. “Well versed in promoting trade and foreign direct investment, Xiaoming will be a valuable addition to our growing team here in China.”

Wang holds a master’s degree in intercultural communications from Shanghai International Studies University.

Please join the Council in welcoming Linda, Ellie and Xiaoming.