Ron Gray, a farmer from Illinois, was recently elected to serve as the U.S. Grains Council\u2019s (USGC) chairman for 2014\/2015.<\/p>\n
Following his election, Gray announced the Council\u2019s new theme for 2014\/2015, \u201cGlobal Awareness, Global Connections.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council\u2019s work is individualized \u2013 each region, each nation and each situation is unique \u2013 just like a thumbprint,\u201d Gray said. \u201cRobust 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Council\u2019s 2014\/2015 Board of Directors was also recently elected. That body now includes:
\u2022 Ron Gray, Chairman, Illinois Corn Marketing Board
\u2022 Alan Tiemann, Vice Chairman, Nebraska Corn Board
\u2022 Chip Councell, Secretary\/Treasurer, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board
\u2022 Julius Schaaf, Past Chairman, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
\u2022 Thomas Sleight, President and CEO, U.S. Grains Council
\u2022 Steve Brody, Agribusiness Sector Director, DuPont Pioneer
\u2022 Mark Seastrand, Barley Sector Director, North Dakota Barley Council
\u2022 Dick Gallagher, Corn Sector Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
\u2022 Bill Kubecka, Sorghum Sector Director, United Sorghum Checkoff Program
\u2022 Craig Floss, State Checkoff Sector Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
\u2022 Jim Tobin, At-Large Director, Monsanto
\u2022 Jim Stuever, At-Large Director, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council
\u2022 Charles Ring, At-Large Director, Texas Corn Producers Board
\u2022 Deb Keller, At-Large Director, Iowa Corn Promotion Board \u2022<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ron Gray, a farmer from Illinois, was recently elected to serve as the U.S. Grains Council\u2019s (USGC) chairman for 2014\/2015. Following his election, Gray announced the Council\u2019s new theme for 2014\/2015, \u201cGlobal Awareness, Global Connections.\u201d The theme embraces the opportunities and partnerships that come from trade, while acknowledging there is still work to be done … <\/p>\n