The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) announces that Kimberly Atkins, vice president and chief operating officer since 2015, will be leaving USGC on April 13.
She will remain in the agricultural space, serving as vice president, public affairs and policy at Laura Wood Peterson Consulting, a consulting firm focused on sustainability issues and agricultural policy.
“We are very sad to see Kim leave the organization and are eternally grateful for the 16 years she has dedicated to working on behalf of the U.S. producer and agribusiness sector,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO.
"She started as a coordinator in 2005 and rose to the highest ranks of the organization by demonstrating hard work, integrity, determination and trustworthiness throughout her time at USGC.”
Atkins leaves the organization with a long list of achievements, one of the most memorable including discussing renewable fuels possibilities with the vice president of Ecuador in 2019 and again in 2020.
“I love how USGC's mission is truly focused on improving lives of people both in the U.S. and overseas," said Atkins.
"Coming from a farming community myself, it has been inspiring to see the benefit of USGC’s work first-hand.”
After graduating from the University of Montana with a degree in political science and communications, Atkins’ USGC career began in 2005 as a communications coordinator. She quickly matriculated through the ranks, serving as the executive assistant and then was promoted to manager of international operations-Asia.
In 2011, she left USGC to work for World Perspectives Inc. as a consulting projects manager. Atkins returned to USGC in 2012, serving as the director of global programs before being promoted to her current position in 2015.
USGC will open the search for Atkins' replacement both internally and externally immediately.
“I have met some of the most talented, creative and professional people in the world through my work with USGC,” Atkins said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
