WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Michael Lu began his role as the director of the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) office in Taiwan on Aug. 6. He will continue the work of Clover Chang, who retires effective Aug. 10 after 34 years with the council.

“We are very excited to have Michael join our Asia regional team and follow Clover to further build upon our market presence and strong commitment to our loyal customers in Taiwan,” said Tom Sleight, president and chief executive officer of the USGC.

Lu has 25 years of experience working in agri-food industries, trading, sales and marketing. Prior to joining the council, Lu worked for Cargill in Taiwan as the assistant general manager in charge of the grains, oilseeds, oils and non-grain feed ingredients business, working with products originated from around the world.

The USGC has maintained an office in Taiwan since 1973, helping the market grow to the fifth largest for U.S. corn in the 2016-17 marketing year, with purchases of nearly three million tonnes valued at $511 million, and the fourth largest market for U.S. barley, the council said.

Lu will help continue USGC’s mission to protect existing market share while expanding sales for U.S. coarse grains and co-products, including ethanol. Lu has strong relationships and connections with government agencies and grain end-users in Taiwan, including animal feed producers, poultry and hog producers, crushing plants and oil refiners, flour milling and corn milling plants and local traders supplying agri-food ingredients for local markets.

He received a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.