WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Marri Carrow, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) communications manager since 2008, has been promoted to the position of director of communications, said Tom Sleight, USGC vice-president of operations and membership, on May 17.

"This promotion reaffirms the Council's dedication to our strategic communication initiatives," said Sleight. "We want to enhance the council's profile with communications. Marri has been intricately involved in our international and domestic communications initiatives. Now we want to challenge her to bring our efforts to a new level and integrate them with the efforts of other stakeholders."

As director of communications, Carrow will manage the council's overall communications and public relations efforts, including developing and executing communications strategies.

Carrow, who grew up on a corn, soybean and hog farm in southwestern Minnesota, has a bachelor's degree in English from Southwest Minnesota State University and is currently pursuing an master’s of business administration in marketing from Globe University.

She served as communications assistant for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association before joining the U.S. Grains Council in September 2008.

USGC also announced that Ashley Kongs, international operations coordinator, has accepted a new position with Congressional Quarterly/Roll Call. Kongs started with the council in June 2011 and coordinated all aspects of trade team travel, including logistics, briefing documents and itineraries.