Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Marketing, Promotion, & Grants and recently retired after 30+ years of service.  She worked with the Illinois food industry in helping companies market their products domestic and internationally. During her time with the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture, she also worked in the agency’s Canadian Office in Toronto.

Kim has coordinated various food buyers’ missions from around the world for both the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Food Export Association of the Midwest. She has recruited and organized Illinois food companies’ participation in major trade shows both in the U.S. and around the world. Kim has consulted with Illinois food companies on export procedures and import requirements and is responsible for educational workshops that taught Illinois agribusinesses how to expand their export businesses. Kim has been the project manager for several USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) projects that help Illinois firms gain access to federal marketing programs. She has coordinated advertising campaigns in domestic and international trade publications. Kim has also gave presentations/lectured to companies and international marketing professionals about exporting and resources within the industry. 

As a graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in marketing and Bradley University with a certificate in international marketing, Kim represented Illinois during travels to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Canada including a historic trip to Cuba. She was recognized by the Food Export Association of the Midwest for her contributions in activity management and was featured as “40 leaders under the age of 40-Profile of 40 Young Export Leaders” in the American Food and Ag Exporter Magazine as one who is dedicated to furthering the export trade of American food and agricultural products. In December 2011, Kim received the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Director’s Achievement Award and in January 2021, she received the IL Dept. of Agriculture’s Assistant Director’s Fellowship Award.     

Kim grew up on a livestock and grain farm. She is married and has two children.