Three 10-year members round-out the roster of U.S. Grains Council delegates who will be honored at the 54th Annual Board of Delegates meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, July 28-30, 2014, for their service to the organization: Dan Hammes, representing Quality Technology International Inc.; David Heckman, from Elanco Animal Health; and Larry Prager, of SCAFCO Grain Systems.

Hammes offers an example of how the Council membership experience evolves with longer service:

“The reason we joined the Council initially was because of its marketing capabilities and its positioning in key countries around the world,” he said. “Since then, I’ve come to appreciate the ability the Council has to deal with issues that come up around the world, such as market access for distiller’s dried grains with solubles.

“The Council’s core competency is based on having people in key markets who know how to access the systems.”

All three honorees have served on Council Advisory Teams: Prager on Mem/Com, Heckman on Trade Policy, and Hammes on the Value-Added team, which he chaired.

Hammes urges members who want to maximize their Council experience to sign up for an A-Team.

“Even if you don’t get appointed, it’s useful to sit in on the sessions,” Hammes said “That’s where you can zero in on the Council work that interests you.”

It’s also a chance to get to know the Council’s international staff, he said. “It’s a chance to utilize the Council’s resources to understand how markets function in these different regions.

“Without that base information, it’s hard to get feedback and follow so many different markets.”