Fourth-generation potato grower Dominic LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine has been elected as president of the National Potato Council, and to lead the grower-led organization’s executive committee.
LaJoie was elevated to president Feb. 22 at the NPC 2021 annual meeting, held virtually due to travel restrictions, according to a news release.
“Thanks to the hard work of NPC and our state partners, our industry is on a better footing today than we could have imagined during the pandemic’s darkest times,” LaJoie said in the release. “The industry’s consistent, relentless and coordinated response that helped deliver more than $250 million in federal pandemic relief will serve as a model as we take on the policy challenges facing NPC and the industry as a whole. I’m honored to take on this new role fighting for the industry as the nation continues to open up and people get back to work.”
LaJoie, partner of LaJoie Growers LLC, which operates throughout Aroostook County, Maine, previously served the NPC board as first vice president and vice president of the environmental affairs committee.
As president, the release said LaJoie will host the 2021 NPC Summer Meeting, July 27-30 in Presque Isle, Maine.
NPC delegates also approved, according to the release, these leaders:
- Jared Balcom of Pasco, Wash., as first vice president and vice president of the trade affairs committee;
- R.J. Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho as vice president of the legislative affairs committee;
- Bob Mattive of Monte Vista, Colo. as vice president of the environmental affairs committee;
- Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, Mich. as vice president of the finance committee; and,
- Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Wash. as vice president of the grower outreach and industry research committee.
The 2020 President, Britt Raybould of Rexburg, Idaho, will continue to serve on the executive committee as the immediate past president.
According to the release, the 2021 executive committee hosts the virtual 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In, Feb. 24-27, which brings the industry together to “Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.” This includes leading more than 150 growers and industry partners as they visit with their representatives in Congress to communicate the industry’s policy priorities.
