Produce industry veteran Jamey Higham will become the next president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, effective in early 2022. He will replace the recently retired Frank Muir, who had served in the role since 2003.
Born and raised in Idaho potato country, Higham says he is looking forward to building on the spud’s strong global reputation for high quality. “IPC has done a tremendous job of stewarding the brand, and I’m very humbled and excited for this opportunity,” says Higham, whose high school in Shelley, Idaho, was represented by a russet potato mascot. “I started in the potato industry in 1991, and it’s in my blood.”
Higham launched his career in quality control at Walker Produce, followed by several years in sales at Potandon Produce. He spent five years at Ford Motor Company in marketing and sales after earning a master’s degree in international business marketing at Arizona State University. But the appeal of potatoes proved too strong to resist, and Higham returned to Potandon in 2003 for 13 years, ultimately serving as the company’s vice president of sales. In 2016, he was named president and CEO of Farm Fresh Direct, where he helped drive strong growth of the company’s conventional and organic potato lines.
Higham has also given back to the produce industry throughout his career: as a current member of the United Fresh Government Relations Council and as part of United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership class 13. He has also given back to his community, serving for 12 years on the Shelley school board.
“Jamey is a potato guy through and through, and he really understands the industry,” says IPC chairman Brett Jensen. “With his lifelong love for Idaho potatoes, we know he’s going to do an amazing job of supporting our growers, shippers and processors around the state. We’ve got a great brand and a great story to tell about our potatoes.”