EAGLE, ID, September 27, 2007 - The Idaho Potato Commission welcomes Kent Beesley as Retail Promotions Director/West. Beesley will be responsible for educating retailers on how Idaho Potatoes can help boost profits in the potato category in grocery stores and other venues where potatoes are sold. Kent's territory covers Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
"Kent is an exceptional addition to our team. His broad experience as a retailer, a sales person for an exceptionally strong brand, Melissa's, and his years at the Washington Apple Commission, gives him an ideal background for merchandising Idaho Potatoes in the western region of the country," said Seth Pemsler, Vice President, Retail/International. "We are very happy to have Kent on board."
Beesley has more than thirty-four years experience in the produce industry. Most recently he was an Account Manager at Melissa's World Variety Produce where he was responsible for selling more than 100 different items to accounts such as Albertson's, Smith's, King Soopers, Wild Oats and Whole Foods in the western region of the country.
Beesley began his career at City Market Inc, in Grand Junction, CO, where he worked for twenty-seven years. While at City Market, he held various positions including produce manager, produce retail supervisor and produce buyer/category manager - all giving him vast knowledge and experience in almost every aspect of the retail produce industry.
Following City Market Inc., Beesley worked for the Washington Apple Commission for three years as a Regional Manager/ Retail Marketing Specialist where he was responsible for marketing Washington State Apples and Stone Fruit in five states. His responsibilities included working closely with retailers and coordinating local advertising and merchandising activities.
Kent will be based out of Grand Junction, Colorado.
Founded in 1937 as the Idaho Fruit and Vegetable Advertising Commission, the IPC, made-up of nine commissioners representing processors, shippers and growers, is the national authority on the world's best-loved potato: The Idaho Potato. The IPC is funded by a tax levied on all Idaho-grown potatoes based on hundredweight, with the monies used to advertise, promote, research and improve the state's potato crop.