A welcoming smile and contagious laughter are likely to greet anyone entering the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, thanks to the long-time presence of Shellen Ng.

“Shellen is one of the most upbeat, smart and dedicated staffers I have had the privilege to work with,” said Tom Sleight, Council president and chief executive officer. “Her infectious enthusiasm has engendered confidence and trust in the Council’s presence and activities throughout a very important region of the world.”

The Council formally recognized Shellen for 20 years of service during its 15th International Marketing Conference and 58th Annual Membership Meeting this week in Houston, Texas.

Shellen helped pioneer the Council’s presence in Southeast Asia, starting as an accountant and working up through the administrator and the programs manager positions until she assumed her current role as programs director.

In this position, Shellen manages the Council’s market development work across the Southeast Asia region, which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, New Zealand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Burma. Her work covers the full-range of the Council’s efforts to expand exports into this quickly growing area of the world, including providing technical expertise and support as well as connecting grain buyers and end-users with U.S. suppliers.

“I can say with full confidence that Shellen is the backbone to this office,” said Manuel Sanchez, regional director for Southeast Asia. “Today there is no one with her experience and knowledge of all our customers in each market.”

Shellen said she remembers her first time to a corn field and watching corn harvest as part of a trade team in 2007, recalling how amazed she was by the advanced technology used by farmers. Through her work with the Council’s programming in Southeast Asia, Shellen said she has enjoyed the combination of educational opportunities like that trade team and developing long-term relationships with customers in the region.

“Many of those I have met in the grain industry are not just business acquaintances but now are great friends of mine,” Shellen said. “Most importantly, there is always something new to learn every day, and that has retained my interest in working with the Council.”