RJ Andrus of Idaho Elected National Potato Council President

The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, RJ Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.

Andrus is a third-generation farmer and an owner of TBR Farms located in Hamer, Idaho. He has served on the Executive Committee since 2019, in roles including Vice President of Grower Outreach and Industry Research, and, most recently, as Vice President of Legislative Affairs.

A 2006 graduate of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, now run by the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), Andrus serves as Vice-Chairman of the Potato LEAF Board.

The full Executive Committee roster includes:
 

• RJ Andrus, Idaho Falls, Idaho – President
• Bob Mattive, Monte Vista, Colorado – First Vice President and Vice President, Environmental Affairs
• Dean Gibson, Paul, Idaho – Vice President, Legislative Affairs
• TJ Hall, Hoople, North Dakota – Vice President, Grower Outreach and Industry Research
• Ben Sklarczyk, Johannesburg, Michigan – Vice President, Finance
• Ted Tschirky, Pasco, Washington – Vice President, Trade Affairs

The Council’s 2022 President, Jared Balcom of Pasco, Washington, will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as the Immediate Past President.
 
 

From left to right: Ben Sklarczyk, Ted Tschirky, Jared Balcom, RJ Andrus, Dean Gibson, Bob Mattive, TJ Hall. Courtesy: National Potato Council

As a grower-led organization, NPC is managed by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors, which oversees its operations and provides guidance on its policy activities. Board members are appointed by the Executive Committee from recommendations submitted by state potato grower organizations and hold office for one calendar year.
 

NPC is the voice of U.S. potato growers and industry members in their nation’s capital. NPC protects potato growers’ interests in Washington, D.C. by addressing issues that affect the potato industry, from policy issues debated in Congress to regulatory issues proposed by federal agencies.
 

to Members of Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to advocate for issues such as keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements, and protecting tax policies that support the long-term health of family-owned farming operations.