Washington State Potato Commission loses its Boss
Washington State Potato Commission loses its Boss
In a press release dated May 26, the Washington State Potato Commission announced that its longtime executive director, Pat Boss, tendered his resignation from the organization on May 25, effective immediately.
Mr. Boss, who joined the commission as government affairs director in September 1996, became executive director in December 1998.
During his nine-year tenure, the commission saw several advances, including open trade with South Korea, key federal funding for projects specific to the potato industry and inroads for protection of farmers rights.
When contacted May 27, Mr. Boss was philosophical about his decision, saying, "I felt I needed to step back for a while. It's time for me to do something different."
To that end, Mr. Boss began consulting with "a couple of clients, and he said he was eager to "see over the next six months where that takes me.
He continued, "Before I came to the potato commission, I worked for the Washington Hop Commission for four years, so I've been in the agriculture industry for a long time.
And he noted, "I've really enjoyed working with the potato commission. It's a great board, and I've loved working with everyone. It really is sad to go, but I'm 39 years old, and I feel like it's time to move on.
The consulting work involves a trade association "and a couple of potato growers, and Mr. Boss said that if the new venture pans out, he "might stay in Washington unless something presents itself in another state.
In the meantime, Assistant Executive Director Karen Bonaudi was appointed interim executive director, with the board set to meet May 31 to discuss hiring options for the position.
Ms. Bonaudi told The Produce News May 26 that while Mr. Boss's departure was sudden, the commission "has a great team, and everyone is picking up extra balls and running with them.
She added, "We're such an active organization, and we're keeping [issues and programs] moving along. And we'll start the hiring process to replace Pat when the commission will look at the job description and see if there are any changes that need to be made.
Commission Chairman Allen Floyd of Othello, WA, echoed Ms. Bonaudi's statement. Shortly before the group was to convene May 31, Mr. Floyd said that he and the other commissioners would "accept Pat's resignation officially and then talk about filling his shoes. And they're big shoes to fill.
He added that the resignation came as a surprise, but he was quick to note, "There is no animosity. Pat and I have been friends for years, and I consider him to be one of my best friends.
Mr. Floyd said that the discussion pertaining to job description would likely look at "whether we need someone as a director or in government relations.
He added, "We may get someone who fits the whole picture, as Pat did, or someone who fits part of it.
The search for Mr. Boss's replacement will be conducted on a national level, and Mr. Floyd said, "We'll be doing it as fast as we can. That's for sure.
Ms. Bonaudi said June 1 that the meeting had ended with "some minor changes made to the job description, although she added that the position will still encompass both government relations and executive directorship.
"The national search will be launched following our annual meeting on June 21 in Lake Chelan [WA], Ms. Bonaudi said.
As a replacement is being sought, issues which the commission is currently addressing are Canadian hearings on dumping allegations against Northwest potato growers, with a public hearing set for July 11 in Vancouver, BC; ongoing talks for extension of trade into Mexico; and the acquisition and refurbishment of railcars for transporting potatoes cross-country.
Mr. Boss said that he anticipates remaining in the agriculture industry, if not the produce industry specifically.
"I love the agriculture industry, and there are always opportunities in this industry, he said.
Mr. Boss, who joined the commission as government affairs director in September 1996, became executive director in December 1998.
During his nine-year tenure, the commission saw several advances, including open trade with South Korea, key federal funding for projects specific to the potato industry and inroads for protection of farmers rights.
When contacted May 27, Mr. Boss was philosophical about his decision, saying, "I felt I needed to step back for a while. It's time for me to do something different."
To that end, Mr. Boss began consulting with "a couple of clients, and he said he was eager to "see over the next six months where that takes me.
He continued, "Before I came to the potato commission, I worked for the Washington Hop Commission for four years, so I've been in the agriculture industry for a long time.
And he noted, "I've really enjoyed working with the potato commission. It's a great board, and I've loved working with everyone. It really is sad to go, but I'm 39 years old, and I feel like it's time to move on.
The consulting work involves a trade association "and a couple of potato growers, and Mr. Boss said that if the new venture pans out, he "might stay in Washington unless something presents itself in another state.
In the meantime, Assistant Executive Director Karen Bonaudi was appointed interim executive director, with the board set to meet May 31 to discuss hiring options for the position.
Ms. Bonaudi told The Produce News May 26 that while Mr. Boss's departure was sudden, the commission "has a great team, and everyone is picking up extra balls and running with them.
She added, "We're such an active organization, and we're keeping [issues and programs] moving along. And we'll start the hiring process to replace Pat when the commission will look at the job description and see if there are any changes that need to be made.
Commission Chairman Allen Floyd of Othello, WA, echoed Ms. Bonaudi's statement. Shortly before the group was to convene May 31, Mr. Floyd said that he and the other commissioners would "accept Pat's resignation officially and then talk about filling his shoes. And they're big shoes to fill.
He added that the resignation came as a surprise, but he was quick to note, "There is no animosity. Pat and I have been friends for years, and I consider him to be one of my best friends.
Mr. Floyd said that the discussion pertaining to job description would likely look at "whether we need someone as a director or in government relations.
He added, "We may get someone who fits the whole picture, as Pat did, or someone who fits part of it.
The search for Mr. Boss's replacement will be conducted on a national level, and Mr. Floyd said, "We'll be doing it as fast as we can. That's for sure.
Ms. Bonaudi said June 1 that the meeting had ended with "some minor changes made to the job description, although she added that the position will still encompass both government relations and executive directorship.
"The national search will be launched following our annual meeting on June 21 in Lake Chelan [WA], Ms. Bonaudi said.
As a replacement is being sought, issues which the commission is currently addressing are Canadian hearings on dumping allegations against Northwest potato growers, with a public hearing set for July 11 in Vancouver, BC; ongoing talks for extension of trade into Mexico; and the acquisition and refurbishment of railcars for transporting potatoes cross-country.
Mr. Boss said that he anticipates remaining in the agriculture industry, if not the produce industry specifically.
"I love the agriculture industry, and there are always opportunities in this industry, he said.
