Milling Journal - Q2 2008 - (Page 22) An Interview with Mary Thompson Chair, North American Millers’ Association Corn Milling Division As vice president of Cargill’s Corn Milling Division, and president of Cargill Corn Dry Ingredients, Mary Thompson brings a wealth of leadership qualities to the chair of NAMA’s Corn Milling unit. Mary Thompson shared her thoughts about the corn processing industry in an interview with Milling Journal. Taking Responsibility I want the NAMA Corn Milling Division to take a leadership role in informing people about corn nutrition. We need to explain the health benefits of this product. We also need to tell the positive story about the benefits of using dry corn ingredients in food. Our customer base is very sophisticated about food matters. They want sophisticated flavors and good taste wrapped in a product that is healthy and convenient. Putting all of these things in one package is a great challenge for those of us who supply food ingredients. We can meet this production and marketing challenge by working to innovate our processes so that they continually meet the demands of the food industry. At Cargill, for example, we have introduced a line of MaizeWiseTM whole grain corn products to be used as a direct replacement for existing corn ingredients, These products deliver 100% whole grain nutrition, are specially treated for enhanced shelf life and flavor. We have also introduced a MaizeWise Avid Curiosity My interest in a profession in milling arose, in part, from the fact that I came from a family of engineers. I am a very practical person and am interested in how most things work. And I like to think on the macro scale. I have always known that I wanted to work some day for a company that made things: something tangible, like food and processed grains, on a global level. New NAMA Role I am very proud to head the Corn Milling Division of NAMA. Perhaps I am the first woman to lead any NAMA division (editor’s note: She’s right!). This position with NAMA is important to me. NAMA is a great industry organization with a terrific staff, and the Corn Division is a very dynamic group. Mary Thompson There are many issues we can work on to the mutual benefit of the membership. The food industry, in general, is a dynamic industry. People are not looking to the food industry for just sustenance. They also want nutritional information that will help guide them in their lifestyles. Thompson Bio Mary Thompson was named vice president, Corn Milling and president, Cargill Dry Corn Ingredients in June 2005. She is responsible for the growth and management of Cargill’s dry milled corn and masa products, including the MaizeWise™ family of whole grain products and InnovaSure™ identitypreservation services. Thompson joined Cargill in 1992 as a merchant in the Oilseeds Division, based in Gainesville, GA. In 1993, she was promoted to business analyst in the company’s Strategy and Business Development unit. She was named general manager of Cargill Soy Protein in 1996, then vice president of Soy Protein Solutions in 1999. During her tenure in Soy Protein, she expanded the research, commercial, and manufacturing functions to transform a cyclical commodity business into a valueadded, specialty ingredients business based on superior product functionality. Before coming to Cargill, Thompson served as development director at the Institute of East-West Studies and director of development and external affairs for Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1983 and a master’s in business administration from Columbia University in New York City in 1992. She was born in Texas City, TX, in 1961. Thompson is a lifetime member of the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, IA; a member of the Women’s Leadership Council of the Greater Twin Cities United Way of the Upper Midwest; a board member of Junior Achievement; a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists; and is currently chair of the North American Millers Association Corn Milling Division. 22 Second Quarter 2008 MILLING JOURNAL
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