Celebrating Bon Lee After 25 Years

A native of Chiba, Japan, Bon Lee moved to the United States after high school, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Oregon State University, He completed additional technical training through the American Institute of Baking and the American Association of Cereal Chemists. Bon began building his career in quality control, first managing the quality control department with the Pendleton Flour Mill in Pendleton, Oregon and later managing quality assurance at GranPac Foods in Portland.

Bon joined Wheat Marketing Center in July 1998 as Laboratory Supervisor and was promoted to Operations Manager in 2016. During his tenure at the Wheat Marketing Center, Bon has supervised, taught, and mentored wheat and flour professionals, lab technicians, visiting scholars, and interns from around the world. Leading the annual crop quality survey for soft white and hard white wheat, Bon has played a central role in producing the Pacific Northwest Soft White Wheat Quality Report and providing data for the U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report for over two decades! Because of Bon, Wheat Marketing Center is recognized throughout the industry for the quality and consistency of our milling and testing program.

Recognized for his unique style of footwear, Bon has been a valuable contributor to both the Pacific Northwest and National Wheat Quality councils, and an active member of the International Association of Operative Millers. Wheat Marketing Center is forever grateful for all that Bon has done, and his dedication to the growers and customers of U.S. wheat around the world. No one in this world could ever fill his distinguished and distinct shoes.

Bon Lee’s retirement date is set for October 31, 2023.

Message from Bon Lee

Thank you for posting your messages on my Dedication Page!

I have to say that I am a very lucky person who really enjoyed work at WMC, had excellent coworkers and board members, and so many other people with the same goal – Make the Best Quality American Wheat.

I thank you again for your support in achieving this milestone. I enjoyed every minute of the last 25 years!

Bon Lee

Kim Harper/ retired USDA-FGIS

Congratulations Bon on your retirement! I wish you many years of happiness in your new upcoming adventures. I fondly recall the years working together to make WMC and FGIS provide the best information for our stakeholders.

John Whalen (retired)

I worked with Bon many years ago in Pendleton. A good man in all respects!
May you have many happy years ahead of you Bon.
John

Gary/Hou SPC Group, South Korea

Dear Bon,

I had enjoyed working with you for 20 years (1998-2018) at the Wheat Marketing Center. I remembered you said we were the most efficient sponge cake makers in lab testing. I still miss the time we made sponge cakes together.
Thanks for your efforts and dedications to US wheat industry. I wish you happiness and healthy in your retirement life!
Look forward to seeing you again in Korea!

Best wishes,
Gary Hou

Andrew Mense

Bon,
Congrats on your retirement! It has been a pleasure working with you! Thank you for always being available to help and answer all my questions! It’s been great getting to know you. You’ve always make work fun. Stay in touch!
Cheers,
Andrew

Andrew Choi

Dear Bon,

I only spent a short time with you, but you were a great teacher in that amount of time. You were extremely knowledgeable, precise, and a joy to work with. I hope retirement treats you well and you stay very busy! I hope to see hear about the joys of your retirement.

Andrew

Ting Liu/U.S. Wheat Associates, Beijing

Hi Bon,

It has been a great pleasure to know you and work with you! Congratulations on your retirement!
Keep enjoying your life !

Ting

Warren Banks/Global Trade Center

Bon -sensei

You have helped immeasurably in helping the Wheat Marketing Center to increased levels of achievement, professionalism and well deserved recognition. 25 years seems to have gone by very quickly. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to know you and observe your impact on WMC. You will be missed of course. You have set the stage well for the next generation. Thank you for your contributions! Enjoy the next adventures in your life. Be well and please stay in touch.
Cheers,
Warren

Brian Liedl/ United Grain Corporation/ Washington Grain Commission

Thank You, Bon, for your many years of contributions to the wheat industry. You were a pleasure to work with and the care which you showed customers and producers is an inspiration for all of those in the business. Congratulations on all of your achievements and enjoy a well earned retirement.

Best,
Brian

Ron Williams / Columbia Grain

Bon sama,
Thank you! so much for what you have brought to WMC and the industry over the years. Your talents and willingness to share the information have helped many around the world to be successful. As for myself, I appreciate what you have taught me. Your insights on the downstream side of the business made me be a better merchant and allowed me to provide better service to our producers and overseas customers. You and your smile will be missed, but the knowledge you shared will help many for years to come. Please stay in touch and best wishes.
Cheers,
Ron

Liman Liu / Wheat Marketing Center

Hi Bon!

Happy retirement! Just wanted to say it’s been a great pleasure of getting to know you and working with you. Thank you for being generous with your knowledge and expertise with me and the team. Your hard work and dedication over the past 25 years have been invaluable to WMC and the whole wheat industry. Your passion about helping the wheat industry influents every one.

Now go ahead and unwind and relax! Enjoy your deserved retirement.

May our paths cross once again, and best of luck with whatever comes next. Cheers

Liman

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