Select "Read More" to view current staff biographies.

While the US Rice Producers Association is a relatively young organization dedicated to foreign market development, the staff and board of directors have a combination of well over one hundred years in international marketing experience.  This unique situation provides rice producers the necessary leadership for the expansion of their international markets. 

Dwight Roberts, president & CEO of the US Rice Producers Association, has spent the last 30 years working in agriculturally related international activities both in the private sector and as the director for international marketing at the Texas Department of Agriculture. He also spent 10 years living and working in the grain and cattle business in South America. Roberts received his bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University.

Karen Miles has served as the financial director for USRPA since 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Texas at El Paso and has over 20 years experience with professional service organization. Miles also lived and worked in Germany prior to joining the USRPA staff.

Marcela Garcia, international programs manager, joined the association's staff full-time in May 2009. Garcia graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in Spanish. Garcia began working with USRPA as an intern in September 2008.

Veronica Vargas, member services coordinator, has worked with non-profit trade associations for over 8 years in a wide range of member service activities. Vargas joined USRPA in November 2009 and was previously employed with the National Association of Realtors® in Chicago, IL. 

Greg Yielding, executive director for the Arkansas Rice Growers Association, serves as a field representative for USRPA. He has represented USRPA on FAS Program trips to China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Mexico.

Kristen O’Brien from PR Marketing Associates is a public relations expert with more than 25 years experience in food marketing and public relations. She is experienced in consumer, retail and foodservice marketing. Her work includes trade associations and specialty food producers. Prior to forming PRMA, her experience included 16 years with the USA Rice Federation/Rice Council in Houston. As director of information services, she planned and managed public relations, advertising and trade relations programs conducted internally and by outside agencies.

Marsha Fair with PR Marketing Associates has extensive experience in international marketing in third-world markets. Her experience includes eight years working for trade associations of the U.S. rice industry. As director for the western hemisphere, she established and maintained key relationships that expanded opportunities for U.S. rice; sought out and established market development opportunities in the region; and implemented and carried out programs funded by the Foreign Agriculture Service. She has an M.A. in International Marketing, as well as an M.A. in French Literature and Philosophy. Fair is also fluent in Spanish..

Fred Clark, vice president and general counsel for Cornerstone Government Affairs, serves as a representative for the US Rice Producers Association in Washington D.C. Clark brings the benefit of twenty-five years of legislative and legal experience in federal and state government, and in the private sector. He has earned a reputation as one of Washington’s most skilled legislative lawyers in the areas of federal agriculture programs and policy, finance, and related matters.

Andy Hewes, USRPA staff consultant and Partner at Coastal Rice, Inc., brings over 30 years of industry related experience with rice. Over the course of his career, he has worked with Riviera Foods, Cargill, as well as many other industry related jobs. He has participated in many overseas programs, traveling to Africa, Europe and the Middle East. 

Thomas Wynn received his master’s degree in agribusiness from Texas A&M University in 2006. Wynn has a strong background in corn, cotton, sorghum, cattle and rice.