Keith H. Heffernan will serve as senior vice president of operations and industry relations of the Washington, D.C., based U.S. Grains Council. Heffernan was formerly the chief of staff for the Farm Credit Administration. He accepted the charge to assist in leading the country’s largest export market development organization for barley, corn, sorghum and their co-products. USGC President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr said Heffernan’s experience working in producer-run organizations is invaluable. “Keith has a long history of service to U.S. producers through trade organizations. He understands the challenges and offers creative solutions,â€� said Dorr. “The members of the Council will have a leader that truly values producer and agribusiness involvement.â€� As chief of staff for Farm Credit Administration, Heffernan coordinated the development and implementation of the agency’s strategic operating and budget plans and activities. Heffernan was the first executive director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association; director of public affairs for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; assistant director for the Center of Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University; and chief of staff for USDA’s Rural Development.