Sklarczyk Elected NPC President

The National Potato Council (NPC) has installed its 2026 roster of Executive Committee leaders at the organization’s annual NPC Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates on Monday, Feb. 23, Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, Mich., was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.

Sklarczyk is a third-generation grower and owner of Sklarczyk Seed Farm, a hydroponic seed potato operation based in his hometown of Johannesburg. Sklarczyk assumed full ownership of the family business 10 years ago, when he and his wife, Alison, purchased it from his father, Don Sklarczyk, who served as President of NPC in 2007.

The full NPC Executive Committee roster includes:

• President – Ben Sklarczyk (Johannesburg, Mich.)
• First Vice President and Vice President, Legislative Affairs – Dean Gibson (Paul, Idaho)
• Vice President, Environmental Affairs – Chris Olsen (Othello, Wash.) 
• Vice President, Finance – Greg Harris (Boardman, Ore.)
• Vice President, Grower Outreach and Industry Research – TJ Hall (Hoople, N.D.)
• Vice President, Trade Affairs – Brett Jensen (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
• Immediate Past President – Ted Tschirky (Pasco, Wash.)

As a grower-led organization, NPC is managed by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors, which oversees its operations and provides guidance on its policy activities. Board members are appointed by the delegates at the Annual Meeting from recommendations submitted by state potato grower organizations and hold office for one calendar year.