Making Washington Wheat a Priority: Casey Chumrau's New Role at the Washington Grain Commission

Casey Chumrau, the first woman to take the reins at the Washington Grain Commission following the retirement of longtime director Glen Squires, has one of her top priorities as making sure customers think of Washington first when they go shopping for soft white wheat. Chumrau is well-prepared for the job, having worked with U.S. Wheat Associates, where she developed marketing for all classes of wheat grown in the U.S., and then representing U.S. Wheats in South America.

Chumrau is joined in her wheat industry by Amanda Hoey, chief executive officer of the Oregon Wheat Commission, and Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission, making this the first time the trio of positions have all been filled by women. Chumrau plans to travel to South America and Asia to talk to customers so she can understand their challenges and see what the Washington Grain Commission can do to help them. She is also focused on supporting the wheat industry research that goes on at Washington State University and the University of Idaho, and is open to feedback from the growers to prioritize their needs.