EAGLE, ID, November 12, 2008 - The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is pleased to announce the hiring of produce veteran Armand Lobato to the position of Western Foodservice Promotion Director. As Promotion Director, Lobato will distribute merchandising and educational materials, as well as seek out promotional opportunities for Idaho Potatoes with foodservice distributors, full-line produce houses and restaurant chains in the Western part of the U.S. His territory includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
"I am very excited that Armand has joined the Idaho Potato Commission. His extensive produce experience in both foodservice and retail poise him to be an exceptional addition to our team," said Don Odiorne, Vice President, Foodservice. "We have an exciting and busy year ahead of us, and I'm certain Armand's expertise will be a great asset to us."
Armand has been in the produce business for more than 30 years. He began his career on the retail side with King Soopers where he worked for 21 years. He worked for Wild Oats Markets in Boulder, Colorado, for three years and helped open several Sun Flower Farmers Markets in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. On the foodservice side, Armand held the position of Produce Buyer/Quality Control Inspector for US Foodservice in Englewood, Colorado, for six years.
Armand just completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix - Denver in June 2008. He writes a weekly motivational column for The Packer.
Armand has been married 26 years, and has a daughter and a son.
Armand replaces Al Saddoris who is retiring from the IPC in November after eight years of service.
Founded in 1937, the IPC, made up of nine commissioners representing processors, shippers and growers, is the national authority on the world's best-loved potato. Although Idaho is famous worldwide for its premium potatoes, some consumers don't realize that only potatoes grown in Idaho can wear the "Grown In Idaho" seal. Both Idaho® Potatoes and the "Grown in Idaho®" seal are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC.
For more information and recipes visit www.idahopotato.com.
