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

Reuben McLean / Grain Craft

Bon,

Wishing you the very best as you begin this new venture called retirement. It has been such a pleasure working with you throughout the years. I’ve always appreciated your expertise and deep commitment to wheat quality. Keep those colorful shoes moving along many hiking trails into the future. Congratulations on a wonderful career and leaving the industry better than you found it.

Hiroaki Sato/ Consular Office of Japan/ MAFF

Bon-san
I hope the wheat crops in the PNW don’t suffer from poor harvests because they miss you.

I wish you enjoy your new life.

Best regards,
Sato

Idaho Wheat Commission

Congratulations on your retirement from the Wheat Marketing Center. Enjoy this new chapter of your life. You have made a significant contribution to the wheat industry and your hard work and dedication will be remembered. We appreciate the knowledge you have shared, and all you have done for the Idaho wheat industry and its growers. Wishing you all the best in your future.

Ponsy Alvaro/ Monde Nissin Corporation Philippines

Hi Bon!

I am so grateful that I met you! You are one chill boss and I have learned a lot from you. Thank you for all our guidance during my internship at WMC. Congratulations on your retirement. Will never forget your “matching” shoes, I suggest you try the combination of slippers and rubber shoes.
Looking forward to seeing more photos of your adventures!

Will visit you when I go back to the US!

Regards,
Ponsy

Joe Sowers / U.S. Wheat Associates

Dear Bon – Seeing you has always been a highlight of a visit to WMC! Your generous, friendly and sincere smile is known by so many around the world. Congratulations on a successful career with positive impact on the US wheat industry. Best wishes for a pleasant, long and healthy retirement. Come look us up someday!
Warmest regards,
Joe

Roy Chung. US Wheat Associates, Singapore

Hi Bon,
It has been a pleasure knowing and working with you over the years. I am sure that retirement from work does not mean retirement from life for you, I hope that you will enjoy doing things that you have always wanted to do.
I wish you good health and happiness.
Regards,
Roy

Gang Guo, Ardent Mills

Congrats Bon for your retirement. Thank you for all what you have contributed to the wheat industry, globally, many big achievements and very impressive! Wish you the best for your new chapter of life – we have more chance to play golf together now. BTW, please come to Denver (Colorado), you can hit the ball 10% longer at Mile High.

James Wu/United Grain

Dear Bon, thank you for all your years of promoting US wheat and helping our customers and producers learn about US wheat and how to mill and bake it. You have been a pillar of the grain industry and I truly appreciate your efforts. You have always been so kind and a gentlemen as well and it has been a pleasure to know you. I wish you the best and a fun and happy retirement!

Yasufumi Suzuki, OMIC

Bon san,

We have really appreciated for the long time our relationship and your cooperation with us. Your professionalism and kindness have helped us a lot.
Cherish every moment of this time and revel in this new stage of your life.
Happy retirement!

Best regards,
Y. Suzuki

Hitoshi (Toshi) Maeda, Portland office of Toshoku America Inc/Cargill Japan LLC

Dear Bon san

I do not have any good words to describe my appreciation for your best service at Wheat Marketing Center.
You have been one of my best teachers regarding Wheat and Wheat flour, and also you have been good friend of Japanese Wheat industory so long time.
I do not expect to see same color of your both foot shoes even after retirement, but I will expect your golf game will be better.
I wish you could enjoy your new life and do hope to see you sometime soon.

Sincerely yours,
Hitoshi (Toshi) Maeda of Cargill Japan LLC/Toshoku America Inc.

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