WASHINGTON — Thomas C. Dorr, former U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for Rural Development, has been named president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Grains Council, effective Nov. 16. He will succeed Ken Hobbie, U.S. Grain’s president and c.e.o. for the past 19 years. Mr. Hobbie has been with the council for a total of 33 years. As undersecretary for Rural Development, Mr. Dorr led programs to expand rural infrastructure, including electric, broadband and water services, rural entrepreneurial efforts and rural housing. He has been a member of the board of directors of the 7th District Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Iowa Board of Regents and a member and officer of the Iowa and National Corn Growers Associations. Mr. Dorr, from Marcus, Iowa, was the president of a family farm and agribusiness company for 29 years.