Eric has ushered in a new era for identity preserved soybeans and grains, helping to establish the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance as the premier trade association serving this industry. He retired in 2018 as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of Minister Counselor, after a 28-year career with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service serving in American Embassies in Ottawa, Pretoria, Warsaw, and Moscow. Eric was active abroad assisting U.S. agricultural businesses export, negotiating trade agreements, settling disputes with foreign governments, and speaking and publishing reports on foreign agricultural conditions. On domestic assignments at USDA headquarters Eric served as Assistant Deputy Administrator, Foreign Service Operations, directing 90 offices abroad. Eric also served as Director of Cooperator Programs, with responsibility for setting financial management and policy for Farm Bill foreign marketing programs of grants to U.S industry worth $252 million. From 2002-2004, Eric represented FAS on the governing board of the American Foreign Service Association. Eric is from Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. He helps his family operate a farm in North Dakota. In what spare time is left he sings in choruses and quartets of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and enjoys woodworking and cooking.

Fun Eric fact: Having lived and experienced life abroad, Eric speaks Russian and Polish.