The U.S. Grains Council’s agribusiness and U.S. farmer members are heading to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the USGC 7th International Marketing Conference and 50th Annual Membership Meeting Feb. 12-17, 2010. Nearly 300 meeting participants will get the opportunity on Sunday, Feb. 14, to hear the Honorable Carole L. Brookins offer the keynote address.

“Carole is a tremendous speaker that truly sees the big picture regarding global agriculture,� said USGC President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr. “Council members will hear creative perspectives on the current and future outlook for commodity markets, agriculture, international trade, global development and public policy.�

She is currently a managing director of Public Capital Advisors LLC, as well as a director on both corporate and non-profit boards. Brookins served from 2001 to 2005 as the U.S. executive director to The World Bank in Washington, D.C., appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the senate. She worked in commodities at the Chicago Board of Trade and as a vice president of E. F. Hutton in New York. She was founder and CEO of World Perspective Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm. During this period, Brookins’ public service included the President’s Export Council and the State Department Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy.

The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmers and agribusinesses committed to building and expanding international markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and their products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 10 international offices that oversee programs in more than 50 countries. Financial support from our private industry members, including state checkoffs, agribusinesses, state entities and others, triggers federal matching funds from the USDA resulting in a combined program value of more than $26 million.

The U.S. Grains Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital/family status. Persons with disabilities, who require alternative means for communication of program information, should contact the U.S. Grains Council.

Phone: (202) 789-0789 Fax: (202) 898-0522 Web site: www.grains.org E-mail: grains@grains.org