U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is excited to announce a series of staff updates at its West Coast Office in Portland, Oregon. The USW West Coast Office serves as a critical hub for connecting U.S. wheat farmers with their overseas customers. Reflecting that important role, U.S. Wheat has promoted Luke Muller to market analyst and welcomed two additional members to the USW team: Kate Stephens as assistant director and Tereza Edwards as assistant program manager.

These personnel updates follow Tyllor Ledford’s move to Manila in late spring to assume the new role of assistant regional director for South and Southeast Asia. Ledford previously served as the market analyst, opening the door for staff shifts and additions.

“Tyllor’s recent promotion and transition overseas created a unique opportunity for us to strengthen our operations here in Portland, said Steve Wirsching, USW vice president and director of the USW West Coast Office. “We’re excited to recognize Luke’s hard work and dedication with this promotion and to bring Tereza and Kate on board. Each of them brings distinct skills, expertise and energy to the USW team, and we look forward to their contributions to our work to promote U.S. wheat.”

Luke Muller – Market Analyst

Following Ledford’s move overseas, Luke Muller has been promoted to the USW market analyst, continuing to be based in the USW West Coast Office in Portland, Oregon.

Muller joined U.S. Wheat in 2023 as the assistant director of the USW West Coast Office. In this role, he helped host and coordinate foreign delegations and international workshop participants. He also oversaw the Wheat Analysis Program, coordinating sample collection, milling and testing as well as preparing weekly and seasonal reports on sales, pending export business, futures closing and PNW prices.

“Luke has built a strong reputation for his thoughtful insights, attention to detail and clear communication with farmers, customers and USW staff members,” said Brian Liedl, USW vice president of overseas operations. “His work has been a valuable resource across teams and has contributed meaningfully to our broader USW mission. We are confident that he will continue to add significant value in this new role and further strengthen the depth and quality of our market analysis.”

Prior to joining U.S. Wheat, he worked as a research assistant in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics at Michigan State University, where he investigated fungal and insect effect on crops in the Midwest. He also served as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy.

Muller earned a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil sciences from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in agriculture, food and resource economics from Michigan State University. He was raised on his family’s wheat, cotton and sorghum farm in southwestern Oklahoma.

Kate Stephens – Assistant Director

Following Muller’s promotion, Kate Stephens will begin her position as the assistant director for the USW West Coast Office on June 29. In this position, she will assist with hosting trade teams and visitors, serving as a link between overseas buyers and U.S. wheat farmers.

Prior to joining U.S. Wheat, Stephens gained experience in the Pacific Northwest grain trade through an internship with United Grain Corporation. In this position, she supported the grain merchandising team through analysis of wheat export flows, basis pricing and rail logistics.

“We are excited to have Kate join the USW West Coast Office at the end of June, following her graduation from Cornell University,” Wirsching said. “We look forward to her work to help reinforce the global confidence in the U.S. wheat supply chain and its ability to reliably deliver high-quality wheat.”

Stephens will graduate this spring from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in global development and communications, along with minors in public policy and sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Stephens is a fourth-generation producer from her family’s wheat farm near Dutton, Montana, where they have farmed since 1912. She produces short-form videos highlighting farm operations, targeted at young, urban audiences, for the YouTube channel “Kate’s Ag.”

Tereza Edwards – Assistant Program Manager

Rounding out the personnel shifts in Portland, Tereza Edwards joined the USW West Coast Office as the assistant program manager on March 16. In this position, she supports marketing, office operations and program management.

Edwards is experienced in program management, administration, conference, and event planning. She brings a track record of delivering high-quality programs, managing complex logistics and building strong relationships across diverse industries. She worked as the director of member services for the Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association and as the communications and membership manager for the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Both positions provided her with knowledge of regional agricultural exports. Immediately prior to joining U.S. Wheat, she worked as the membership and data manager for the Oregon Medical Association, further developing her industry affairs and member engagement skills.

“Tereza’s background makes her the perfect addition to the USW West Coast Office,” Wirsching said. “Our office in Portland receives numerous trade teams, state wheat commission members and foreign delegations throughout the year, and Tereza’s strong organizational skills and attention to detail will be of great help for hosting these delegations.”

Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Northern Arizona University.

Please join U.S. Wheat in congratulating Luke on his promotion and welcoming Tereza and Kate to the USW team!