Ryan Olson joined the staff of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) as the director of trade policy on August 25, 2025.

In his role, Olson will be responsible for assisting with trade policy, transportation, production technologies, sustainability and food aid issues that impact the export of U.S. wheat. This work will include conducting analyses on trade policy constraints and opportunities, updating staff and member states with the latest trade policy information, monitoring the regulatory landscape and working on the utilization of wheat in food assistance programs.

“We’re excited to have Ryan on board after an extensive search,” said Dalton Henry, USW vice president of policy and communications. “Ryan comes to us with direct experience supporting overseas teams, responding to customer needs and working with the U.S. grain industry to solve technical problems and remove barriers to trade.”

Prior to joining USW, Olson most recently served as industry affairs manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), where he worked to create a preference for U.S. soybeans by anticipating and resolving market access challenges with partners throughout the value chain. Before that, he was director of operations at the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA), where he oversaw the implementation and execution of programs, committee initiatives and policy work.

Earlier in his career, before joining NAEGA, Olson was a research associate at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Trade and Economics and a staff assistant for then-Congressman Cory Gardner of Colorado.

A Virginia native, Olson earned a master’s degree in international commerce and policy from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University.

“Ryan comes to us with a great set of previous experience and technical knowledge,” Henry said. “His collective work gives him a unique knowledge base, particularly from a grain exporter vantage point, allowing him to share that viewpoint from a critical part of the U.S. wheat supply chain with our staff and customers.”