Dave Rhodes joins Idaho Potato Commission

Produce industry veteran Dave Rhodes has joined the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) as retail promotion director-northeast, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He replaces Ken Tubman, who is retiring after 15 years of service.

Rhodes will work with retail produce managers in the northeastern United States and Canada to help drive sales of Idaho potatoes through marketing and promotions, research and point of sale materials, in addition to representing the Idaho potato brand at retail industry trade shows.

“My strong suit is that I can sit down and converse with produce managers and understand the situations they’re going through,” said Rhodes, previously vice president of produce and floral for Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets, a regional retailer with 64 stores. “I can share similar situations and offer help based on what I’ve seen that works in the produce department.”

Rhodes has spent more than 40 years in the produce industry, starting as a store-level produce manager after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. His extensive experience includes working as director of produce for a Northern Michigan supermarket chain, vegetable category manager for a Midwestern distributor, and produce category manager for Marsh Supermarkets.

And Rhodes said he’s looking forward to more opportunities to indulge in his favorite Idaho potato dish—a steaming baked russet topped with butter, sour cream and cheese.