The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to announce the hire of Melissa George Kessler as the USGC director of communications at the Washington, D.C., headquarters.

“Melissa has a strong communications background and has worked extensively with agricultural media,” said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight. “She will bring a new perspective to the job and help strengthen our communications efforts.”

As director of communications, Kessler will design and execute aggressive communications strategies to raise the profile of USGC experts, expertise and its mission. She will develop and lead the Council’s overall communications initiatives and public relations efforts, including internal and external communication strategies.

“Melissa is excited about broadening her international perspective,” Sleight said,” and I am very pleased to have her join the Council in a month, just in time for our Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Omaha.”

Kessler is currently a consultant focusing primarily on communications and organizational effectiveness. Previously, she had served for seven years as the National Association of Wheat Growers’ director of communications. In that position Kessler managed the association’s media relations, created and maintained NAWG’s digital presence, actively participated in the association’s policy-setting process and more.

She is replacing Marri Carrow who recently was promoted to regional director of the Western Hemisphere based in Panama.

Kessler holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in political science and master’s degree in organization development from American University. Her first day at the Council will be July 18, 2014, and on that date she will be reachable at mkessler@grains.org and 202-789-0789.

Welcome aboard, Melissa!