CPAC looks for 'right fit' to fill executive directors position
CPAC looks for 'right fit' to fill executive directors position
MONTE VISTA, CO -- As the interview process continues for a new executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Assistant Executive Director Linda Weyers and Marketing Committee Chairman David Tonso said in late January that they were both confident the right person will come to the job.
"We have interviewed several great applicants," Mr. Tonso said. "But we just haven't found that right person. We're not looking for a super hero, but we do have specific needs."
The post was held for three years by Chris Voigt, who left Colorado in August for a similar position with the Washington State Potato Commission.
"The person we need in the position is someone who can manage what CPAC has accomplished over the last three years," Mr. Tonso said. "We want someone to continue to develop relationships with growers and to continue CPAC's direction."
He said that the committee is hoping to fill the position by mid-February.
The areas of primary growth within the committee since 2001 have been in industry and community relations as well as the committee's involvement in governmental and environmental issues, and Mr. Tonso and Ms. Weyers agreed the new director will have a full plate.
An official job description posted by the committee calls for coordination of programs and activities such as "budget development and tracking, contract and record maintenance, staffing, equipment leases and purchases," and leadership of committee meetings and general operations.
Current programs and issues include research, domestic and international trade, transportation, public relations, grants, legislative and regulatory issues, labeling requirements and administration of the federal and state marketing orders.
"He or she will need to continue the positive directions we're taking, focusing on grower issues," Mr. Tonso said, noting that governmental issues have expanded to include not only chemical and pesticide regulations but also endangered species laws, good agricultural practices, good food practices and other food-safety matters. "And immigration reform is huge," Ms. Weyers said.
Water issues are also a focal point in Colorado's San Luis Valley, where 180 potato growers are now farming some 58,000 acres of spuds. The acreage reflects a 10 percent decrease in 2005 from 2004.
Ideally, the new director will have knowledge of marketing orders, commissions and grant writing, and Mr. Tonso said, "We are at a very good stage for someone to walk in, and we are open for that person to have leeway in the position. There are a lot of issues going on right now."
Ms. Weyers said that while she and committee staffer Elaine Ford handle the day-to-day matters, the office has received invaluable input from growers. Several committee members sit on the National Potato Board in varying capacities, and Roger Mix is on both the board and the National Potato Council, chairing the finance committee of the latter.
A closely knit farming community, the San Luis Valley is home to several small communities such as the committee's hometown of Monte Vista. Alamosa, a college town of several thousand, is 20 minutes east, and Durango, another college town, lies west across Wolf Creek Pass.
"It's a great place to raise children," Ms. Weyers said. "There are 16 schools in the region."
Both Ms. Weyers and Mr. Tonso are lifelong residents of the valley, a region famed nationally and internationally for its potatoes and known regionally for its low crime rate and abundance of outdoor activities.
Wolf Creek Ski Area historically boasts a midway base of several feet, and the Rio Grande River and its tributaries provide hundreds of miles of fishing. Hunting is another of the area's renowned offerings.
"We're also close enough to cities (Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Taos and Santa Fe) to make day trips," Ms. Weyers said.
She said that the region is "the place to be" for a career change, and Mr. Tonso said that the committee is offering the ideal job for the right person.
Cutbacks in acreage and a tighter group of grower-shippers and distributors have solidified the committee.
"We've gotten smaller, and we've gotten stronger," he said.
"We have interviewed several great applicants," Mr. Tonso said. "But we just haven't found that right person. We're not looking for a super hero, but we do have specific needs."
The post was held for three years by Chris Voigt, who left Colorado in August for a similar position with the Washington State Potato Commission.
"The person we need in the position is someone who can manage what CPAC has accomplished over the last three years," Mr. Tonso said. "We want someone to continue to develop relationships with growers and to continue CPAC's direction."
He said that the committee is hoping to fill the position by mid-February.
The areas of primary growth within the committee since 2001 have been in industry and community relations as well as the committee's involvement in governmental and environmental issues, and Mr. Tonso and Ms. Weyers agreed the new director will have a full plate.
An official job description posted by the committee calls for coordination of programs and activities such as "budget development and tracking, contract and record maintenance, staffing, equipment leases and purchases," and leadership of committee meetings and general operations.
Current programs and issues include research, domestic and international trade, transportation, public relations, grants, legislative and regulatory issues, labeling requirements and administration of the federal and state marketing orders.
"He or she will need to continue the positive directions we're taking, focusing on grower issues," Mr. Tonso said, noting that governmental issues have expanded to include not only chemical and pesticide regulations but also endangered species laws, good agricultural practices, good food practices and other food-safety matters. "And immigration reform is huge," Ms. Weyers said.
Water issues are also a focal point in Colorado's San Luis Valley, where 180 potato growers are now farming some 58,000 acres of spuds. The acreage reflects a 10 percent decrease in 2005 from 2004.
Ideally, the new director will have knowledge of marketing orders, commissions and grant writing, and Mr. Tonso said, "We are at a very good stage for someone to walk in, and we are open for that person to have leeway in the position. There are a lot of issues going on right now."
Ms. Weyers said that while she and committee staffer Elaine Ford handle the day-to-day matters, the office has received invaluable input from growers. Several committee members sit on the National Potato Board in varying capacities, and Roger Mix is on both the board and the National Potato Council, chairing the finance committee of the latter.
A closely knit farming community, the San Luis Valley is home to several small communities such as the committee's hometown of Monte Vista. Alamosa, a college town of several thousand, is 20 minutes east, and Durango, another college town, lies west across Wolf Creek Pass.
"It's a great place to raise children," Ms. Weyers said. "There are 16 schools in the region."
Both Ms. Weyers and Mr. Tonso are lifelong residents of the valley, a region famed nationally and internationally for its potatoes and known regionally for its low crime rate and abundance of outdoor activities.
Wolf Creek Ski Area historically boasts a midway base of several feet, and the Rio Grande River and its tributaries provide hundreds of miles of fishing. Hunting is another of the area's renowned offerings.
"We're also close enough to cities (Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Taos and Santa Fe) to make day trips," Ms. Weyers said.
She said that the region is "the place to be" for a career change, and Mr. Tonso said that the committee is offering the ideal job for the right person.
Cutbacks in acreage and a tighter group of grower-shippers and distributors have solidified the committee.
"We've gotten smaller, and we've gotten stronger," he said.
