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
Peter Lloyd US Wheat Associates
Bon Sama,
Thank you, profoundly, for everything you have done for me over the years – both during my time at WMC and here at USW.
Your professionalism, your kindness and consistency are an inspiration to us all. Kaizen at its finest!
I know that you are leaving WMC stronger than you found it, and have prepared a very well trained team to take the reins.
May I wish you a wondeful, rewarding and restful retirement during this next exciting chapter of your life.
With very best regards to you and your wife from me and mine.
Sincerely,
Peter
Shinhak (David) Oh, U.S.Wheat Associates Seoul
Dear Bon,
It’s been a pleasure working with you these nine years.
I am very thankful to you for supporting our team during our technical course including tour and market survey.
I wish you and your family all the happiness and health.
I also hope you can enjoy your retirement life.
If you come to Korea and need support from me, please let me know.
Best regards,
David
Marcelo Mitre/ USW Associates Mexico City
Dear Bon,
It has always been a pleasure working with you. Thanks for sharing your knowledge always with a smile!
All the best in this new stage of your life,
Marcelo
Steve Mercer, U.S. Wheat Associates
Bon: Thank you for all you have done for the wheat farmers of this country! And best wishes for a long, happy, healthy retirement!
Autumn Sicard
What a fun and knowledgeable time it has been working with you! Your wealth of knowledge is so valuable, and I am proud to say that you taught me. I will miss joking around with you and the fun we had while working together. Be sure to enjoy your retirement to the fullest! We will all miss you here!
Masaaki Kimoto/Nisshin Flour Milling Inc. /QC＆QA Department
Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone of 25 years. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Arnie Schaufler
I wish you a well deserved, healthy, fun retirement Bon!
You have been an outstanding professional and a positive force in our industry for many years.
It has been great to have worked with you and I wish you and yours all the best in the future.
Take care Sir!
Arnie
Brent Haugen | Wheat Marketing Center
It has been an honor and pleasure to work with Bon Lee. It is rare to see someone still so passionate about what they do after 25 years.
I refer to Bon as the “dough whisperer”. It is magical to watch him when he is in the Bake Lab and just has that sense (like a chef) to know when the dough is ready with just the single touch of his hands.
Over the years I have been able to learn and appreciate him as a professional, mentor, and an amazing co-worker. He has taught me so much about wheat, testing, and the end-product evaluation process. I also have been able to get to know him as a person and appreciate his sense of humor, his passion for hiking, and his love for food.
There will be a great void when he retires and he will be missed. But as he puts on those different colored shoes and takes off on his next adventure, I want to wish him the best.
Brent Haugen
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Bon Lee Retirement Message
