National Potato Council Elects New President

The National Potato Council (NPC) has installed its 2026 roster of Executive Committee leaders during the organization’s annual NPC Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, MI, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.

Sklarczyk is a third-generation grower and owner of Sklarczyk Seed Farm, a hydroponic seed potato operation based in his hometown of Johannesburg. Sklarczyk assumed full ownership of the family business 10 years ago, when he and his wife, Alison, purchased it from his father, Don Sklarczyk, who served as President of NPC in 2007.

A long-time advocate for the industry, Sklarczyk has been involved with NPC since the early 2000s and joined the NPC Board of Directors in 2010. Before being elected President for 2026, he served nearly a decade on the Executive Committee, holding various leadership roles, including First Vice President, Vice President of Grower Outreach and Industry Research, Vice President of Environmental Affairs, and Vice President of Finance.

“Our 2026 agenda will focus on capitalizing on new federal dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices for U.S. potatoes globally, and removing non-tariff trade barriers,” says Sklarczyk. “I also want to emphasize the importance of grower engagement with state and federal representatives to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in policy-making.”

Sklarczyk’s wife, Alison, serves on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors.

The full NPC Executive Committee roster includes:

• President – Ben Sklarczyk (Johannesburg, MI)
• First Vice President and Vice President, Legislative Affairs – Dean Gibson (Paul, ID)
• Vice President, Environmental Affairs – Chris Olsen (Othello, WA)
• Vice President, Finance – Greg Harris (Boardman, OR)
• Vice President, Grower Outreach and Industry Research – TJ Hall (Hoople, ND)
• Vice President, Trade Affairs – Brett Jensen (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Immediate Past President – Ted Tschirky (Pasco, WA)

For more information, visit nationalpotatocouncil.org.