Ron Gray, a farmer from Illinois, was recently elected to serve as the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) chairman for 2014/2015.

Following his election, Gray announced the Council’s new theme for 2014/2015, “Global Awareness, Global Connections.” The theme embraces the opportunities and partnerships that come from trade, while acknowledging there is still work to be done to expand and improve global connections.

“The Council’s work is individualized – each region, each nation and each situation is unique – just like a thumbprint,” Gray said. “Robust export markets are the result of demand-building, trade agreements, transportation, trade servicing, confidence-building, responsiveness and empathy, which are all things we can impact through awareness and connections.”

Gray has been involved in agriculture production for the last 35 years and has been a crop insurance agent for nearly a decade. He previously served as chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, serving as a delegate from that organization to the Council since 2002.

The Council’s 2014/2015 Board of Directors was also recently elected. That body now includes:
• Ron Gray, Chairman, Illinois Corn Marketing Board
• Alan Tiemann, Vice Chairman, Nebraska Corn Board
• Chip Councell, Secretary/Treasurer, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board
• Julius Schaaf, Past Chairman, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
• Thomas Sleight, President and CEO, U.S. Grains Council
• Steve Brody, Agribusiness Sector Director, DuPont Pioneer
• Mark Seastrand, Barley Sector Director, North Dakota Barley Council
• Dick Gallagher, Corn Sector Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
• Bill Kubecka, Sorghum Sector Director, United Sorghum Checkoff Program
• Craig Floss, State Checkoff Sector Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
• Jim Tobin, At-Large Director, Monsanto
• Jim Stuever, At-Large Director, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council
• Charles Ring, At-Large Director, Texas Corn Producers Board
• Deb Keller, At-Large Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board •