Idaho Potato Commission names Southeast retail promotion director

The Eagle, Idaho-based Idaho Potato Commission has named Mark Daniels as retail promotion director for the Southeast.

Daniels, with 35 years of industry experience, is based in the Savannah, Ga. area and will provide category management, promotions and other marketing support tools to help category managers and buyers in the Southeast boost profitability in the rapidly evolving marketplace, according to a news release.

He replaces Bill Savilonis, according to the release, who has moved on after 28 years with IPC.

“I’ve relied on IPC so much in the past because they support the category so well,” Daniels said in the release. “I hope to really help retailers catch their market, so to speak, by defining where the opportunities are so they’re not missing those ‘nuggets’ that are out there. We’re able to use the nuts and bolts of data to find these specific areas of potential growth for each retailer.”

Daniels began his career at 16 years old with a part-time job at a grocery store in Knoxville, Tenn. Daniels, according to the release, has worked at various produce operations, including BI-LO, military commissary stores and CEA Fresh Farms, where he most recently was director of business development.

Daniels also is a member of the Southeast Produce Council board of governors, according to the release, following serving 16 years on the group’s board of directors and in executive committee roles.

“Mark has an extensive background in retail, wholesale and sales and is well-respected in the South as a longtime board member of the Southeast Produce Council,” Seth Pemsler, vice president of retail and international for the Idaho Potato Commission, said in the release. “He knows exactly what kinds of resources retailers need because he has such a wide-ranging perspective on our industry. We can’t wait for him to start sharing his expertise with Southeastern retailers.”