Two candidates are vying for the position of secretary: Charles Ring of the Corn Producers Association of Texas and Ron Gray of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.
Gray currently serves on the council’s board as the corn sector director, with a term ending in July. In his application, Gray said he wanted to serve as an officer to participate in the development of export markets. He said the, “The U.S. Grains Council is positioning to affect change and make a difference. I would like to contribute to that difference.”
Charles Ring is on the council’s Asia Advisory Team where he has served as team leader. He said he applied in order to pursue a more active role in the council’s mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives.
“Since a great deal of my corn and sorghum leaves South Texas on a boat to foreign destinations or by truck to Mexico, I have a good feel for how important it is for that trade to continue unabated,” he said.
Two at-large positions council’s board of directors are up for election. Two candidates have submitted applications: Gary Schmalshof of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Darrel McAlexander of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
McAlexander is currently an at-large director for the council, with a term ending in July. He noted it has been an honor to serve on the board over the last two years and that he strives to represent all council members.
“The world marketplace is rapidly changing; the USGC needs to be ready to meet these changes,” he said. “I think with the co-operation of our members and our new leadership, we will meet these challenges.”
Schmalshof farms 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans in Adair. He has been active in the council for six years and in addition to serving as an advisory team leader, Schmalshof serves as a director on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.
“I could bring a very rounded opinion from the checkoff side,” he said.
