Bob Wilkins of GPOD of Idaho moves into retirement mode
Bob Wilkins of GPOD of Idaho moves into retirement mode
Bob Wilkins, chief executive officer of GPOD of Idaho, has called it a day after some 35 years with the company. Mr. Wilkins left his daily duties at the end of 2007, but the partner in the fresh-pack shipper has a five-year agreement to serve as a consultant.
GPOD of Idaho packs and ships Russet Burbank variety potatoes.
Mr. Wilkins said he plans to spend more time with his wife, DeAnne, and his children and grandchildren, and to spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing.
"I'm on to a new chapter in my life," Mr. Wilkins said. "In the last 10 years I became more involved in the industry. It's a good industry -- it's been good to my family.
Mr. Wilkins moved from his native Washington state to Stockton, CA, in 1968 to be a bookkeeper for General Potato & Onion Distributors LTD. The company shipped potatoes out of that location.
That same year, GPOD of Idaho began operations in Idaho Falls when Fred Thompson and John Gellings formed a partnership with California's General Potato & Onion Distributors LTD.
In 1973, the company moved from Idaho Falls to its current location in Shelley, ID, where it built a new packing facility. Mr. Wilkins moved his family to Idaho in 1973 and held the position of bookkeeper for GPOD of Idaho for a few years before moving into sales for GPOD for a several years. He then became GPOD's general manager under Mr. Thompson and was part of a group bought Mr. Thompson's interest in GPOD in 1989.
Mr. Wilkins' industry involvement includes stints with the Idaho Grower- Shippers Association on the board of directors, the United Fresh Produce Association for more than four years -- including treasurer for four years -- and on the board of directors of the Idaho Potato Commission for six years, include serving as chairman last year.
Knowing that the state of Idaho has carved out a reputation as the place for potatoes "gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling," Mr. Wilkins said.
He said the state's reputation is known worldwide, and he notices that when he travels around.
"It's a continual job to maintain that status," Mr. Wilkins said.
Kevin Searle, GPOD of Idaho's general manager, arrived at GPOD in 1989. With Mr. Wilkins retirement, Mr. Searle takes his place, though he will retain his title as general manager.
"Bob has always been a good public person with Idaho potatoes," Mr. Searle said. "People have a lot of respect for Bob and his opinion. He made his own personal footprint."
Mr. Searle said that Mr. Wilkins set an example as a "quiet, professional leader," and that he was "determined to move the industry ahead as well as the company."
During Mr. Wilkins' tenure, he witnessed dramatic increases in GPOD's customer base, the size of its facility and the size of its employee base.
Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer of the Idaho Potato Commission, said that Mr. Wilkins "has made many fine contributions to the Idaho potato industry," which include helping GPOD establish a very strong marketing presence on the East Coast, especially New York.
GPOD of Idaho packs and ships Russet Burbank variety potatoes.
Mr. Wilkins said he plans to spend more time with his wife, DeAnne, and his children and grandchildren, and to spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing.
"I'm on to a new chapter in my life," Mr. Wilkins said. "In the last 10 years I became more involved in the industry. It's a good industry -- it's been good to my family.
Mr. Wilkins moved from his native Washington state to Stockton, CA, in 1968 to be a bookkeeper for General Potato & Onion Distributors LTD. The company shipped potatoes out of that location.
That same year, GPOD of Idaho began operations in Idaho Falls when Fred Thompson and John Gellings formed a partnership with California's General Potato & Onion Distributors LTD.
In 1973, the company moved from Idaho Falls to its current location in Shelley, ID, where it built a new packing facility. Mr. Wilkins moved his family to Idaho in 1973 and held the position of bookkeeper for GPOD of Idaho for a few years before moving into sales for GPOD for a several years. He then became GPOD's general manager under Mr. Thompson and was part of a group bought Mr. Thompson's interest in GPOD in 1989.
Mr. Wilkins' industry involvement includes stints with the Idaho Grower- Shippers Association on the board of directors, the United Fresh Produce Association for more than four years -- including treasurer for four years -- and on the board of directors of the Idaho Potato Commission for six years, include serving as chairman last year.
Knowing that the state of Idaho has carved out a reputation as the place for potatoes "gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling," Mr. Wilkins said.
He said the state's reputation is known worldwide, and he notices that when he travels around.
"It's a continual job to maintain that status," Mr. Wilkins said.
Kevin Searle, GPOD of Idaho's general manager, arrived at GPOD in 1989. With Mr. Wilkins retirement, Mr. Searle takes his place, though he will retain his title as general manager.
"Bob has always been a good public person with Idaho potatoes," Mr. Searle said. "People have a lot of respect for Bob and his opinion. He made his own personal footprint."
Mr. Searle said that Mr. Wilkins set an example as a "quiet, professional leader," and that he was "determined to move the industry ahead as well as the company."
During Mr. Wilkins' tenure, he witnessed dramatic increases in GPOD's customer base, the size of its facility and the size of its employee base.
Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer of the Idaho Potato Commission, said that Mr. Wilkins "has made many fine contributions to the Idaho potato industry," which include helping GPOD establish a very strong marketing presence on the East Coast, especially New York.
