U.S. Grains Council Past Chairman Dale Artho brings a legacy of leadership to the organization that continues to this day. “Dale was chairman during some challenging times for the Council,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and CEO. “Dale’s vision and affability are always what carried the day then, and now.”

In 15 years of service, most of it representing Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board, Artho has contributed perspective and insight and been party to some of its most notable “firsts.”

With the 1994 Pioneer Mission, he was on the first team to visit Vietnam, an initiative that led the Council to begin market development efforts there without waiting for U.S. government funds.

Artho was also in at the beginning of Council efforts in Cuba, working with the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board to provide a humanitarian sorghum donation and traveling on the second team into Cuba.

“The Council runs its programs with a long-term perspective of where it needs to go,” said Artho. “It’s been very beneficial. If you look at the Council’s track record, the funding we producers have targeted to exports has paid off, and most producers have seen the value of these programs.”

“Dale is not only visionary and charismatic,” said Sleight, “He is always asking the “what if” questions to challenge Council thinking on programs – a very valuable contribution.”

Artho is now a delegate for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and serves on the Council’s Trade Policy Advisory Team.