Bob Oleson’s (pictured left) work with the U.S. Grains Council began long before he stepped into the executive director’s post at the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board Inc. In the 15 years he has done double duty as executive director and as a corn grower. In that time, according to USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight, he has been a key stabilizing force maintaining Wisconsin’s ties with the Council.

Asked about the benefits he sees from Council involvement, Oleson cites the broader perspective that members gain.

“I think we’ve helped the business of corn grower exports, but the biggest thing to come out of Council membership is the way it opens people’s eyes,” Oleson says. “We’ve had any number of Wisconsin growers come back from Council missions with a new understanding of what it takes to trade, how it’s different trading with a country like Japan from trading with China.

“Until you see it firsthand, you really don’t understand the huge differences.”

This year the Council also honors Kyle McCann (pictured left), executive director of the Louisiana Soybean & Grain Research & Promotion Board, for 25 years of work with the Council.

“Louisiana has been a long-time, loyal supporter of the Council’s export efforts, and Kyle has been a key figure in keeping his board involved for 25 years,” said Sleight.

“He has done this at the same time he has balanced Council liaison work with his other responsibilities with the Louisiana Farm Bureau, where he is responsible for issues from rice and corn to honeybees, forestry and ground water management – and he has always found a way to keep Louisiana’s involvement moving forward.

“This continuity is truly a benefit to the Council and its efforts.”