During the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 13th International Marketing Conference and 56th Annual Membership Meeting this week in Sarasota, Florida, the Council honored six accounting and support staff members for five, 10 and 15 years of service.

This list of staff members is loaded with capable, dedicated team players who are seldom in the limelight but essential to the Council’s success, said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight.

As an example, he cited Mevis Clark, who has served for 10 years as an accounting assistant in Washington.

“When I think of Mevis, I think of the glue that binds the Council together,� Sleight said. “One of our organizational values is being excellent stewards of our members’ and the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS’s) monies. Mevis is extremely competent, diligent and dedicated to protecting the Council’s assets and reputation.�

In the Council’s office in Beijing, USGC Director in China Bryan Lohmar has similar praise for USGC Office Manager and Program Manager in China Joy Jin Zhang, who is marking 15 years with the Council.

“Joy has been a dedicated and integral part of the Council’s China office, where her patience, diligence and friendly nature have helped the office work as a team,� Lohmar said. “She continues to be a central force holding together all the components of our complex program in China.�

In Mexico, USGC Director in Mexico Julio Arturo Hernandez praised USGC Accountant Administrator in Mexico Ana Livia Guerra for her 15 years of service.

Hernandez cited her clear sense of teamwork, discipline and dedication to the Council’s work.

“Ana Livia is creative and enthusiastic and has the skills to keep the office running in good shape,� Hernandez said. “She has greatly contributed to achieving clean audits and has become a valuable asset to the Council.�

In Tokyo, USGC Director in Japan Tommy Hamamoto praised USGC Administrative Assistant in Japan Izumi Onozawa for taking on additional tasks such as the monthly newsletter, website management and preparations for visitors and trade teams such as the producers’ mission.

“This work in addition to her daily administrative tasks is possible because of her excellent job knowledge and capability in performing complicated logistical arrangements,� Hamamoto said, noting also the positive attitude and excellent communications skills that she has demonstrated during her five years of service.

In Tunis, USGC Accountant for the Middle East and Africa Rgaya M’Sallem is also marking five years with the Council – a period that included exceptional tensions and disruptions.

According to Sleight, she is not only an excellent accountant dedicated to her work, she is also key to keeping Council programs running across the large region the Tunis office covers.

“Rgaya typifies the whole of our operations in the region – poised, aware and highly professional,â€� Sleight said. “Her perseverance through challenging times is laudable and her efforts have helped the Tunis office be ready for a bright future.â€�

Finally, 2016 marks USGC Receptionist Brenda Perkins’ 10th year as the first voice visitors hear when they call or visit the Council.

First impressions mean a lot and, in Perkins’ case, the first impression is a smile, not only on her face but in her voice. That’s followed by a readiness to help, which sets the tone for any visit.

“Her cheerful disposition and warmth are a wonderful welcome to new and returning guests,� said USGC Director of Finance and Administration Helen Elmore.