ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US – Joe Bippert will join the US Wheat Associates (USW) on Nov. 1 as assistant regional director for South Asia, the export market development organization announced on Oct. 6.

Bippert will work remotely until he and his family can relocate to the USW office in Manila, Philippines. Bippert has served as program director with the Washington Grain Commission (WGC), Spokane, Washington, US, since January 2017.

“I am grateful for the time I have spent at the Washington Grain Commission representing the state’s wheat and barley producers, and the exposure to markets in South Asia,” Bippert said. “Now I look forward to expanding my service to every wheat producer in the United States as I begin my role at US Wheat Associates.”

Mike Spier, vice president of overseas operations at USW, called Bippert “the right person with proper skill set, personality and knowledge of the wheat industry to fill this position.”

“He will have an experienced and successful manager in Joe Sowers, our regional vice president for South Asia, and excellent technical support to help him build the already strong demand for several US wheat classes in the Philippines and the rest of the region,” Spier said.

Bippert grew up on a family timber farm near Olympia, Washington, US, and learned Spanish in Mexico while serving a church mission. After receiving a business degree from Brigham Young University in 2008, he began his career in international trade and marketing with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

His focus was helping producer groups develop and implement international marketing strategies and included management of agricultural delegations on two governor-led international trade missions.

With the WGC, Bippert manages Latin American marketing strategy, analyzes the state’s wheat industry economy, and monitors trade and transportation policy. He currently co-chairs USW’s Wheat Transportation Working Group.