PARKER, COLO. — The Wheat Foods Council (W.F.C.) announced on July 27 the selection of new board members.

Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Faga, president of the North American Millers’ Association, has been named the 2009-10 board chair. She succeeds Hans Hayden, wheat producer and Idaho Wheat commission representative, who will remain a member of the board as past chairman.

David Moore, wheat producer and Texas Wheat Commission representative, was named vice-chairman, while Debi Rogers, instructor and curriculum development at the American Institute of Baking, Manhattan, Kas., was selected as treasurer and also will serve on the executive committee.

Ms. Faga has a long history with the millers’ association. NAMA was established as a result of the merger of four separate associations representing different types of grain milling. Before the merger, Ms. Faga held a variety of positions with two of the merged organizations — Protein Grain Products International and the American Corn Millers Federation. She represented the associations before the administration and Congress, developed research activities, and traveled extensively abroad in connection with the industry’s participation in food assistance programs. Ms. Faga recently announced she will retire from her NAMA post in the spring/summer of 2010.

"Betsy has a long history with our organization and her expertise will prove a great asset to our leadership with her as board chair," said Lynn Holly, interim director of the W.F.C. "In addition, the council saw great success with the urban wheat field under Hans Hayden’s leadership, so we are proud to have him continue on in another capacity."

During its June board meeting, the W.F.C. recapped the successful urban wheat field program and began planning for a virtual on-line program. In 2009-10 the council will leverage the urban wheat field while continuing to educate the public, media and shareholders alike about the health benefits of grain-based foods.