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For Immediate Release

January 1, 2008

 

Fargo, N.D., USA – Brian Sorenson has been named the new Director at Northern Crops Institute. He has been NCI's Technical Director for the last six years. He also has been a North Dakota State University Extension Service wheat quality specialist since 2000.

“I am extremely excited to be selected as the new NCI director and I look forward to working with our partners in industry to promote the crops from our region," Sorenson says.

Sorenson replaces Dr. Patricia Berglund, who retired in early December.

“NCI has played a key role in the success of northern Great Plains agriculture,” says Laird Larson of Clark, S.D., chair of the Northern Crops Council. The council works with NDSU to oversee NCI. “The Northern Crops Council is excited about the leadership Brian will provide as we all find new and innovative strategies to enhance uses and markets for our products.”

“Brian is well-known and respected by industry leaders throughout the region, the nation and the world,” says D.C. Coston, NDSU’s vice president for Agriculture and University Extension. “We look forward to the new directions NCI will take in conjunction with many partners, including NDSU’s outstanding faculty and staff, in enhancing the economy of this region.”

Sorenson has more than 18 years of experience in food product and process development and is an expert in the quality and utilization of U.S. durum and hard red spring wheat, and pasta production and quality.

Prior to joining NCI, he served as research project manager for Purina Mills Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., and processing consultant for Format International Ltd., also in St. Louis.

As NCI’s technical director, he has led its technical team; overseen its pilot-scale and analytical laboratories; and provided information on northern-grown crops through educational and informational seminars for buyers, processors and government officials at NCI and in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Central and South America. He also is chair of the national Wheat Quality Council.

Sorenson earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Mayville State University and a master of science degree in cereal chemistry from NDSU.

“I am excited about what NCI will accomplish under Brian’s leadership,” says Jennifer Tesch, marketing director for SK Food International Inc., Fargo; past chair of the Northern Crops Council; and chair of the search committee to find Berglund’s replacement. “Our company, along with many other companies and producers, will continue to benefit from the outstanding work of NCI.”

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NDSU Agriculture Communication

Source: D.C. Coston, (701) 231-7656, vpag@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu