Former U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Chairman Larry Groce passed away last week after a rich life marked by his love for his family, his lasting impact on the Council’s membership and advocacy for U.S. producers.
“It’s hard for me to have to say goodbye to Larry, a leader, colleague and friend,” said former USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight. “His depth of caring, ever so deeply and consistently, about the Council’s past and future was striking. I know Larry thought about the Council and its various partners every single day.”
Groce spoke at the opening ceremony of a U.S. Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) laboratory in Alexandria, Egypt in 1994.
Groce was elected chairman in 1994, when the organization was called the U.S. Feed Grains Council (USFGC) and the Council’s membership greatly expanded during his tenure before it became the U.S. Grains Council. He guided the organization through major global trade shifts, including the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement and led the milestone celebration of reaching the 50 billionth bushel of U.S. corn delivered to Japan.
Groce (front, third from left) pictured at the Great Wall in Beijing, China during his chairmanship in 1994, along with former USGC President and CEO Ken Hobbie (rear, second from left) and current USGC Vice President Cary Sifferath (front, third from right).
After his time as chairman, Groce served as the executive director of the Grains Foundation, which raised money to support the agricultural leaders of tomorrow by escorting groups of college students to visit key international grain markets.
“I cannot remember a day of my career with the Council that Larry was not part of,” said former USGC President and CEO Ken Hobbie. “He was a champion and long-term supporter of the Council’s mission and willingly gave his time and talent whenever asked to help make the Council the organization it is today.”
Groce addressed the Council’s 34th Annual Board of Directors Meeting in Chicago, IL in 1994.
He received the Council’s lifetime achievement award in 2014 for his contributions not only to the Council, but to the entire U.S. agricultural sector. A tribute video from the award ceremony is available to view here.
Groce attended a Council meeting in Washington, D.C., in 1993.
The Council sends its sincerest condolences to the Groce family and deeply thanks Larry for his service to the Council and the U.S. agriculture community.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.