Crutchfield Appointed to Federal Shipping Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, DC -- Chris Crutchfield, president and CEO of American Commodity Company, a handler and marketer of U.S. rice based in Williams, California, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Federal Maritime Commission’s National Shipper Advisory Committee (NSAC) to represent the U.S. rice industry.

The NSAC, a new advisory group created earlier this year, will provide information, insight, and expertise pertaining to conditions in the ocean freight delivery system to the Commission, specifically focusing on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the international ocean freight delivery system.

“I’m humbled and excited to serve on this vital advisory group given all of the shipping issues our industry continues to face,” said Crutchfield.  “I look forward to representing the interests of the rice and agriculture industries as we seek resolve to these costly and debilitating issues.”

The NSAC reports to the Federal Maritime Commission and is comprised of 12 cargo exporters and 12 cargo importers.

“Chris’s appointment to this important committee gives the rice industry a key voice in maritime issues and is a recognition of his experience and expertise as a major exporter of U.S. grown rice.  I know he will do a great job representing the U.S. rice industry,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.

Crutchfield holds numerous volunteer leadership positions with USA Rice and the California Rice Commission, and is a graduate of the Rice Leadership Development Program.