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U.S. Wheat Associates Promotes Ben Conner to Director of Policy, Henry Moving to Capitol Hill

USW is pleased to announce that Ben Conner has been promoted to Director of Policy to lead the USW policy team’s efforts and manage relations with wheat value chain organizations.

Current USW Vice President of Policy Dalton Henry will depart USW on Dec. 30, 2016, to take a position as Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman-Elect Roger Marshall. Henry will have the opportunity to work on policy affecting his home district in Kansas.

“We recognize that this is an opportunity Dalton should not pass up and, while we will miss him at USW, we congratulate him and thank him for his service to wheat farmers in Kansas and across the United States,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “Trade policy is a critical part of our mission to open new overseas markets and Ben is well prepared to take up to the challenge. With Policy Specialist Elizabeth Westendorf focusing on food aid, innovative breeding and production policies and other areas, our policy team will keep advancing our aggressive USW trade policy agenda.”

Conner joined USW in 2014 as Assistant Director of Policy at the organization’s Headquarters Office in Arlington, VA, after spending five years working in agriculture and trade policy in the office of U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns. He also has extensive academic experience in international affairs and agricultural economics. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/1mW1Hgq.

Ben Conner

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Vince Peterson Named to Follow Alan Tracy as U.S. Wheat Associates President in 2017

ARLINGTON, Virginia — At their fall meeting Nov. 5, 2016, in Denver, CO, the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Board of Directors unanimously selected Vince Peterson as the next President of the organization replacing Alan T. Tracy, who plans to retire in July 2017. Peterson currently serves as USW Vice President of Overseas Operations. USW is the industry’s export market development organization, representing the interests of U.S. wheat farmers in more than 100 countries.

“First I want to thank the board for their confidence in me following the great work that Alan has done leading this organization for the last 20 years,” Peterson told the farmer directors. “This day would not be possible for me without the work and support of all the overseas staff and my colleagues here in our U.S. offices. I want all of them and the board to know that I will do all I can to continue this organization’s strong service to American wheat farmers and their overseas customers.”

“Protecting and expanding export demand for wheat has always been critical, but never more so than in this depressed market,” said 2016/17 USW Chairman Jason Scott, a wheat farmer from Easton, MD. “The entire board believes that Vince Peterson is the right person at the right time to fill the President’s position after Alan retires. He has spent his entire career in the grain trade and has been a steady hand directing overseas marketing efforts for USW over the last 31 years. This also represents a very practical way to make this transition.”

After Tracy informed the board in July 2016 of his intention to retire, Scott formed a search committee and appointed USW Past Chairman Brian O’Toole, a wheat farmer from Crystal, ND, as its chair.

“During our initial meetings, the committee decided to focus the search for Alan’s replacement inside the wheat industry,” O’Toole said. “Vince expressed his interest in the position and it quickly became clear that he was the most qualified candidate with obvious respect across the entire wheat industry. The committee voted unanimously to recommend him to the directors, and they agreed with us.”

“From the start of this process I expressed my hope that this would be a smooth transition,” Tracy said. “Vince has been one of my senior staff colleagues from the time I accepted this position in 1997 and I had no hesitation recommending him as my replacement. We will have plenty of time to look back at my work here, but for now I offer my sincere congratulations to Vince and I look forward to working with him and the board to make sure this organization doesn’t miss a beat.”

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” Its activities are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

Header Photo Caption: Wheat Export Organization Announces Leadership Transition for 2017. U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Board of Directors selected Vince Peterson (far left) as the next President of the organization at their fall meeting Nov. 5, 2016, in Denver, Colo. Peterson, who currently serves as Vice President of Overseas Operations, will replace Alan T. Tracy (second from right) who will retire in July 2017 after 20 years as USW President. They join USW Chairman Jason Scott (second from left), a wheat growers from Easton, Md., and Past Chairman Brian O’Toole (far right), a wheat growers from Crystal, N.D., who chaired a selection committee.

 

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Boyuan Chen to Represent U.S. Wheat Farmers in Taiwan Market

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has hired Boyuan Chen as Country Director in the organization’s Taipei, Taiwan, office. Starting Nov. 1, 2016, Chen will manage U.S. wheat market development programs and USW’s business and government relationships in a market that imports on average about 38 million bushels of U.S. wheat every year. Chen will replace long-time Country Director Ron Lu, who is transitioning to retirement at the end of 2016 after 33 years with USW.

“Boyuan Chen is an ideal manager for this position who will draw from 20 years of experience in food and feed commodity procurement with Uni-President Enterprises,” said USW Regional Vice President Matt Weimar. “He joins our history of strong leadership since Western Wheat Associates opened an office in Taipei more than 50 years ago. By helping Taiwan’s flour millers and wheat foods industry constantly improve their products, we have developed very loyal customers for U.S. dark northern spring, soft white and hard red winter wheat farmers.”

After three years in banking, Chen started with Uni-President, Asia’s largest food production corporation, in 1997 as a grain market analyst and gained experience in the company’s soybean procurement group. In 2001, he moved up to assistant chief of the company’s Taipei procurement section working closely with the Taiwan Flour Mills Association (TFMA), the Taiwan Feed Industry Association and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association. Chen’s last position with Uni-President was as section chief of import affairs from 2009 to 2016. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from National Taiwan University, Taipei, in 1989, and a master’s degree in Financial Management from Syracuse University in 1994.

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Bids Farewell to Taiwan Colleagues Ron Lu and Serena Wu

TAIPEI, Taiwan – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) announces the retirement of two long-time associates from its Taipei Office. After 33 years of service, Ronald L. J. Lu is stepping down as Country Director, and Serena Wu is retiring her post as Office Manager and Accountant after 38 years of service.

“Today, per capita wheat consumption in Taiwan has exceeded that of rice. It is a market that prefers the quality and reliability of U.S. wheat and Ron and Serena have played key roles in that success,” said USW Regional Vice President Matt Weimar, who oversees operations in South Asia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. “USW has a strong presence in Taiwan, across all sectors and entities in the food industry because of their dedication and commitment representing U.S. wheat farmers.”

Lu joined USW in 1983 as a technical specialist and was appointed country director in 2004. During his tenure, Lu worked directly with end users and importers to help them strengthen commercial links with U.S. export companies through trade servicing, technical assistance and promotional activities. From 2007 to 2009, Lu served as the chairman of the China Grain Products Research and Development Institute (CGPRDI). During his USW career, he has facilitated countless customer and trade team visits to the United States, including the biennial Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission during which the Taiwan Flour Mills Association (TFMA) traditionally signs letters of intent to purchase U.S. wheat during the following two marketing years. Lu will remain with USW through the end of 2016 providing ongoing assistance as a Senior Advisor.

“Over these many years, Ron has added value to every level of USW’s work in Taiwan — from improving and creating the finest wheat food products for consumers to strengthening the long standing trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States,” said USW Vice President of Overseas Operations Vince Peterson. “Through his steady efforts and successes, he has made immeasurable contributions to both the wheat food industry in Taiwan and the U.S. wheat production and export industries.”

“By hosting so many public introductions of those new wheat food products with his customers and educational partners, Ron truly has been the face of U.S. wheat in Taiwan,” said Weimar.

Wu joined USW in 1978 serving as a personal assistant to the country director and overseeing daily office operations. Her responsibilities ranged from budget development and program management to finances and translations. She had an important role in planning conferences, seminars and meetings for the Taipei office, including arranging travel for office staff, consultants and trade cooperators.

“With an ever-engaging smile and upbeat attitude, Serena has been a constant element in producing and molding USW’s activities into a highly successful program for Taiwan,” said Peterson. “She has been indispensable and the wheat-related industries on both sides of the Pacific owe her a huge thank you for her dedication, service and for bringing us all together.”

Taiwan is on average the sixth largest market for U.S. wheat, purchasing more than 15 million metric tons (more than 550 million bushels) since 1998. In each of the past two marketing years, Taiwan’s flour millers purchased about 1.0 million metric tons (MMT), or nearly 37 million bushels, of U.S. wheat.

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

Header Photo Caption: Ron Lu and Serena Wu with USW colleagues at the USW Taipei Office 50th Anniversary event in April 2016. (L to R): Steve Mercer, Vice President of Communications; Shu-Ying “Sophia” Yang, Asian Products/Nutrition Technologist; Erica Oakley, Program Manager; Serena Wu, Office Manager and Accountant; Fiona Lee, Executive Secretary and Accountant; Matt Weimar, Regional Vice President; and Ronald Lu, Country Director.

Caption: USW staff recently hosted a dinner honoring Ron and Serena’s many years of service. (L to R): Ronald Lu, Country Director; Kevin McGarry, Vice President of Finance; Serena Wu, Office Manager and Accountant; and Matt Weimar, Regional Vice President.

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Promotes Rutger Koekoek to European Regional Marketing Director

ARLINGTON, Virginia – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is pleased to announce that Rutger Koekoek is promoted from marketing specialist to regional marketing director for Europe. Koekoek joined USW in 2009 and is based in the organization’s regional office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. USW is the export market development organization for U.S. wheat farmers.

“We are recognizing Rutger’s work and his successful performance over the past several months filling this regional role as our long-time director Goris van Lit transitioned to retirement,” said USW Regional Vice President Ian Flagg. Flagg manages USW staff and all market development activities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa from Rotterdam.

Europe continues to be an important regional market for U.S. wheat. It is the largest export market for northern durum and Desert Durum® and flour millers frequently import U.S. hard red spring (HRS) wheat to blend with locally-produced “soft” wheat.

Before joining USW, Koekoek worked in seed sales and marketing management first with Delta and Pine Land in its Netherlands office. Koekoek managed sales and marketing of cotton seed in Europe and directly managed Delta and Pine Land’s Turkish subsidiary. Koekoek also worked as a marketing product manager for Dutch vegetable seed producer De Ruiter Seeds, where he steered the development and product lifecycle for pepper and eggplant varieties.

Koekoek received a bachelor’s degree in International Management at the Rotterdam Business School and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Marketing from Wageningen Agricultural University.

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Announces Several Staff Promotions

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the industry’s export market development organization, promotes three associates to Vice President. Ian Flagg is named Regional Vice President for the organization’s European and Middle Eastern, North and Eastern Africa regions. Jennifer Sydney becomes Vice President of Programs and Planning, and Dalton Henry becomes Vice President of Policy. In addition, Shawn Campbell is promoted to Deputy Director, West Coast Office, and Jim Frahm becomes Senior Advisor.

Flagg is based in USW’s regional office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Sydney and Henry serve in the organization’s Headquarters Office in Arlington, VA. Campbell works in Portland, OR, and Frahm works half-time from his home in Charleston, SC.

“I have said many times how proud I am of the people who work at U.S. Wheat Associates,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “These associates and the people who report to them are making a real and positive difference for USW and for the U.S. wheat farmers we represent. Their commitment to their jobs and promoting U.S. wheat is very strong and is clearly evident in the results of their work.”

Minnesota native Ian Flagg first served USW as Assistant Director, West Coast Office, then as Market Analyst in the Headquarters Office, before accepting a position in 2009 as Assistant Director for the Middle East, East and North Africa (MEENA) region in Cairo. He was promoted to Regional Director in 2014 and moved to Casablanca, Morocco, then transferred again to Rotterdam in January 2016 to direct activities in MEENA and Europe. Flagg has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and a master’s degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from North Dakota State University.

Jennifer Sydney directs the preparation and submission of USW’s annual Unified Export Strategy proposal to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), manages FAS activity amendments, coordinates state funding and supervises USW Programs staff. Sydney had similar responsibilities at the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, DC, before joining USW in 2010. She is a native of Greeley, CO, and received a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Colorado.

Dalton Henry has lead responsibility for coordinating the USW policy team’s efforts and managing relations with wheat value chain organizations. He joined USW in March 2015 after five years with Kansas Wheat as Director of Governmental Affairs. Henry grew up on and is still involved with a diversified crop and livestock operation near Randolph, KS. He has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism from Kansas State University.

As Deputy Director, West Coast Office, Shawn Campbell is responsible for liaison with the grain export trade and constituent state-level wheat commissions, hosting visiting trade delegations and additional support for headquarters and overseas office staff. Before joining USW in 2009, Campbell was an agricultural economist for an Alberta, Canada, feedlot. An Oregon native, Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and Agricultural Systems Management and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho.

Jim Frahm has been with USW since 1978, serving most recently as Vice President of Planning. He coordinated long term strategy and program evaluations with and between USW’s overseas offices and USDA FAS. As Senior Advisor, Frahm will continue to represent the organization on wheat quality and sanitary/phytosanitary issues and in other assignments. His first position with USW was in Rotterdam directing market development activities in Eastern Europe. He worked as a grain merchandiser for Continental Grain before joining USW. Frahm received a bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Iowa State University. He also earned a master’s degree in International Affairs specializing in Russian area studies at Columbia University.

USW works in more than 100 countries to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 18 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by FAS. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Headquarters Welcomes New Fiscal Officer

USW welcomes Kurt Coppens to its Arlington, VA, headquarters office staff as fiscal officer effective July 5, 2016. In that position, Coppens will consolidate expenses for USW’s 15 foreign offices for USDA claims, perform internal auditing, prepare reconciliations and many other financial reporting tasks.

He will report to Kevin McGarry, USW vice president of finance.

“Kurt has a wide breadth of accounting experience and significant international exposure over more than 10 years. I think Kurt will add great value to USW and I am excited to have him join the finance team,” said McGarry.

Most recently, Coppens was employed as an accounting manager at Agora, Inc., a specialty publishing house in Baltimore, MD. Prior to that, Coppens was an accounting manager at Agora’s office in Paris, France, from 2009 to 2011. In both positions, he managed company accounting practices, revised accounting systems and served as a liaison between the Baltimore headquarters and the French and Swiss offices.

Prior to 2009, Coppens worked for such international companies as BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide, Intelsat Global Service Corporation, NeuStar, Inc, and FaciliCom International.

Coppens holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he majored in finance and international business. He is fluent in French, and proficient in Dutch and German.

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Executive Assistant Joins U.S. Wheat Associates in Taipei

TAIPEI, Taiwan – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has hired Fiona Lee as Executive Assistant and Accountant in the organization’s office in Taipei, Taiwan. Ms. Lee will train with long-time Office Manager/Accountant Serena C. Wu, who plans to retire later in 2016. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

“Fiona’s work experience ranges from financial project management to legal matters and translation needs,” said Matt Weimar, USW’s Regional Vice President for South Asia. “These are strong assets that will certainly benefit the U.S. wheat farmers we represent and our industry and government partners in Taiwan.”

“We knew we had a difficult job to eventually replace Serena Wu,” said Ronald L. J. Lu, USW’s Country Director for Taiwan. “Serena has served this organization and our customers faithfully for more than 38 years. With her guidance over the next several months, though, we are sure Fiona will be well prepared for another long and successful tenure with U.S. Wheat Associates.”

Ms. Lee comes to USW after serving as a clerk and English secretary at a Taipei law firm and as an executive assistant at Henkel Taiwan, a large industrial products company. She worked as an investment manager with Uni-President and at the consulting firm KPMG Taipei she served on corporate finance teams related to merger and acquisition projects as well as in corporate finance risk management. Ms. Lee has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, and a master’s degree in finance from George Washington University, Washington, DC. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.

Taiwan is on average the sixth largest market for U.S. wheat, purchasing more than 15 million metric tons (more than 550 million bushels) since 1998. In each of the past two marketing years, Taiwan’s flour millers purchased about 1.0 million metric tons (MMT), or nearly 37 million bushels, of U.S. wheat. Significant hard red spring (HRS) imports reflect a need for strong gluten flour for breads, rolls and frozen dough products as well as for blending with hard red winter (HRW) to make traditional Chinese flour foods and noodles. Soft white (SW) imports, including Western White (a blend of SW and up to 20 percent club), help meet growing demand for cake, cookie and pastry flours.
USW Taipei works directly with end users and importers to help them strengthen commercial links with U.S. export companies through trade serving and technical assistance activities managed by Ron Lu and Ms. Shu-ying Yang, Asian Products/Nutrition Specialist, and by facilitating customer visits to the United States.

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 18 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

Fiona Lee

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Hires Bakery Consultant for Philippines Market

ARLINGTON, Virginia – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) hires Gerardo “Gerry” Mendoza as Bakery Consultant to provide technical assistance and training to commercial bakeries and wheat food processors in the Republic of the Philippines. Mendoza works from USW’s Manila office and will train with long-time Bakery Consultant Boy Ng, who plans to retire later in 2016. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

“People in the Philippines are eating more bread and other wheat foods today,” said USW Assistant Regional Vice President Joe Sowers. “Gerry has exactly the kind of experience we need to continue our legacy of service to the wide range of commercial bakeries and end product manufacturers in this country. We are very pleased he is with us to keep demonstrating the value and performance of flour milled with U.S. wheat in the Philippines.”

Mendoza joins USW with 25 years of experience in the bakery ingredients industry, serving most recently as National Business Development Manager with AB Mauri. In his career, the Philippines native has managed production, served in sales positions and provided technical training and assistance to several key bakeries in the Philippines and around Southeast Asia. Mendoza earned a bachelor’s of science degree in industrial engineering from Adamson University, Manila.

Southeast Asia in general and the Philippines in particular have become one of the most important export markets in the world for U.S. wheat. Robust population and income growth are driving increased demand for wheat based foods. The burgeoning middle class has an increased ability to pay for high quality products, while end product manufacturer and consumer preferences give U.S. wheat classes a strong advantage.

The Philippines was the third largest buyer of U.S. wheat in the 2014/15 marketing year (June to May) and the second largest buyer of both soft white and hard red spring wheat classes. At about 88.1 million bushels (nearly 2.4 million metric tons), U.S wheat exports to the Philippines set a new record, representing a market share exceeding 91 percent of total Philippines milling wheat imports for the year. Overall, U.S. wheat exports face substantial headwinds in 2015/16, but sales to the Philippines are on a similar pace compared to last year at this time.

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 18 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

Gerry Mendoza

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Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Realigns Regional Management as Long-Time EU Director Retires

ARLINGTON, Virginia – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) announces the retirement of Goris van Lit, Regional Director for Europe, the Former Soviet Union and Israel, and promotes Ian Flagg, Regional Director, who will add van Lit’s responsibilities and continue to direct activities in the Middle East and North Africa region effective Feb. 1, 2016. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, van Lit has worked for USW for 30 years. Flagg, who joined USW in 2005, is also based in Rotterdam and will now have responsibility for that office as well as offices in Moscow, Cairo and Casablanca. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

“As a part of our efforts to better align our resources, activities and staff with the realities of current market opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa, USW recently shifted responsibilities for some East African countries to our Sub-Saharan African regional office in Cape Town, South Africa, and transferred Ian to Rotterdam,” said USW Vice President of Overseas Operations Vince Peterson. “With Goris’ retirement, USW is taking the next step in this strategic realignment to more closely coordinate and concentrate our activities on high-quality market segments across the broader region.”

“We cannot thank Goris enough for his many years of dedicated service representing U.S. wheat farmers,” Peterson said. “I served with Goris in the region and saw firsthand the value of his market knowledge, stable management skills and unwavering advocacy for U.S. wheat. We will all miss working with him very much but we wish Goris and his wife Lilian a long and enjoyable retirement.

“Looking forward, Ian has proven his ability to analyze changing market conditions and identify the best opportunities for U.S. wheat exports first in Cairo, then Casablanca,” Peterson noted. “I am very confident that he will be equally effective with his expanded responsibilities.”

Goris van Lit was born and raised near Rotterdam and became fascinated early in life by the international commerce at its growing port and the seagoing vessels being built virtually next door. Studying analytical chemistry, his career started in laboratory analysis and product development for home goods before he joined Meneba Flour Mills. He also worked in cereal food research with the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research before joining USW as a marketing specialist in 1986. Outside of work, van Lit has nurtured a life-long passion for automobiles and rally racing.

Minnesota native Ian Flagg served USW as Assistant Director, West Coast Office, Portland, OR, and as Market Analyst in the Headquarters office in Arlington, VA, before accepting a position in 2009 as Assistant Director for the Middle East, East and North Africa region in Cairo. He was promoted to Regional Director in 2014 and moved to Casablanca. Flagg has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and a master’s degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from North Dakota State University.

USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 18 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.

Goris Van Lit

Ian Flagg

 

 

 

 

 

 

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