Sifferath Promoted To USGC Vice President

Cary Sifferath was promoted from senior director of global programs to vice president at the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) on April 18.

“Cary’s 28 years of experience at the Council will serve as a steady pillar for the entire organization as we move forward in ever-dynamic markets and geopolitical situations affecting trade of the products we market globally,” said USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “The depth of knowledge on international markets and trade that Cary brings to the executive department will serve us all well.”

Sifferath was initially hired as manager of international operations for Asia in 1993. His trajectory with the Council then took him to its Kuala Lumpur office and began what would be 19 years spent running four of the Council’s overseas offices, in Malaysia, Japan, China and Tunisia. Still managing the Tunisia office, he moved back to Washington, D.C., in 2014 and became senior director of global programs in the summer of 2015.

Over his long tenure, Sifferath has developed a vision for the Council’s work, and he is eager to implement that in his new role.

“I look forward to working with our board, our members and our global staff to bring my experience in market development and global operations into my new role as vice president,” Sifferath said.

“Leadership will be vital for the Council as global trade policies and trade flows are continuing to change, and the Council needs to stay on the leading edge of policies and trade flow changes as they affect exports of feed grains in all forms.”

As vice president, Sifferath will supervise all overseas offices and operations related to the promotion of U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, co-products and ethanol for the Council.

Looking back over his time at the Council, Sifferath remembers working through events including the Southeast Asian economic crisis, the Arab Spring in North Africa, U.S. ethanol’s evolution around the world and the growth of fledging markets, like Vietnam, into thriving ones.

“To be involved on the ground floor and to see what kind of market it has become today, that’s something that’s been a strong part of my experience at the Council,” he said. “And you always think, where is the next South Korea, where is the next Vietnam? Is it Myanmar, Bangladesh, Tanzania, another country?”

The Council congratulates Sifferath on his new role as he brings his vision to its mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives.