Feb 14, 2012Jensen to manage grants and research for three states
Andy Jensen, Ph.D., director of research for the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC), has been appointed the Pacific Northwest regional research director by the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), The Washington State Potato Commission and the Oregon Potato Commission (OPC).
Frank Muir, president and CEO of the IPC, Bill Brewer, president and CEO of the OPC and Chris Voigt, executive director of the WSPC, issued a joint press release announcing Jensen’s new job.
“On behalf of all three commissions, Dr. Jensen will coordinate the planning and receipt of all research proposals, by communicating directly with researchers and administrators about the commissions’ expectations, formats for submitting proposals, deadlines, research review meetings and presentations, funding decisions and progress reports,” the press release stated.
“Dr. Jensen will also monitor research projects that are funded to ensure that research objectives and timelines are met, work with the researchers and administrators to help transfer research results to the growers, shippers and processor members of the potato industry and gather input on needs for future research needed to help maintain the strength of the Pacific Northwest potato industry.
“If we as a region, produce more than 50 percent of the potatoes in the country and we can say that we – all three states – are working together in potato research, we’ll have a lot of credibility saying that all the grower groups, all three commissions, are supporting this project, I’m working towards leading it, we’ll have more successful grant programs,” said Jensen explaining the purpose of his new position in a video interview.
Jensen has been director of research for WSPC since May 1999. Previously he was a postdoctoral research associate in the systematic entomology lab at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Md. He holds a doctorate in entomology from Oregon State University.
To view a video interview with Andy Jensen go to Spudman.com.
