Squires Named Washington Grain Commission CEO

Squires Named as Washington Grain Commission CEO

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

Glen Squires will lead the Washington Grain Commission as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. He had been serving as the interim CEO after Tom Mick retired at the end of June.

Squires, who has worked for the WGC and its precursor, the Washington Wheat Commission, for 19 years, was one of four candidates who were interviewed for the job.

Washington Grain Commission Chairman of the Board Tom Zwainz shares with Squire’s knowledge and experience he will be able to hit the ground running in his new position.

Zwainz: “He has a better handle on the international markets than most people. You can read all his analysis in the Wheat Life for the last several years. He had been doing a lot of the day-to-day state regulatory requirements that the Grain Commission goes through. Glen was just a natural fit for this new position.

Zwainz says the commission has increased funding for expanding export markets and Squires will have an important role in making that happen.

Zwainz: “Glen has an excellent handle on what some of the needs for our export enhancement program and working with US Wheat. That is an area that Glen is probably of everyone in the industry, he is the most qualified to lead us in.”

Under the organizational structure, Squires will be responsible for Washington Grain Commission and Washington Association of Wheat Growers staff and serve as leadership of both organizations.
I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.