Skip to content

News

World Potato Congress Inc. Announces New President and Vice-President

Following 16 years of dedicated service to the World Potato Congress Inc.’s Board of Directors, and the past four years as President, Romain Cools has decided to retire from WPC and effective July 1, 2022, he is stepping down as President and CEO of the World Potato Congress (WPC) Inc.

Mr. Cools has announced Mr. John Griffin will become the new President and CEO of the World Potato Congress (WPC) Inc.

Romain Cools stated: “John Griffin has been involved with the WPC Board of Directors since 2007 and for the past four years, he has served as Vice- President of the World Potato Congress Inc. Mr. Griffin resides in Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island, Canada. “

“Mr. Griffin brings with him a vast knowledge of the potato industry as President of WP Griffin Inc., a family-owned grower, packer and shipper of potatoes. WP Griffin Inc. packages many different types of potatoes in various sizes and most recently launched microwaveable mini potatoes with various spices.”
.
Romain Cools also announced that Mr. Peter VanderZaag would be stepping into the role of Vice-President of the WPC Inc. Mr. VanderZaag is President and a partner in Sunrise Potato with his daughter Ruth and son-in-law Nick. He also serves as visiting professor at the Yunnan Normal University in Kunming, China. Romain Cools stated that: “Peter has worked in over 60 countries around the world with the International Potato Centre (CIP) where he developed potato programs, and to improve crop management and potato production. His knowledge of the potato crop is recognized worldwide.”

WPC Inc. is a non-profit organization established to bring together global potato industry leaders at our triennial congresses with the objective of creating networking, increased trade and business development opportunities.

The 12th World Potato Congress is held from June 23-26, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia.

Latest News

World Potato Congress comments on COVID-19 pandemic halting global trade

May 7, 2020

The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC), a global potato network, is leading numerous local potato driven initiatives in developing regions of the world in response to growing food security concerns…

COVID-19 Pandemic Halts Global Trade of Rice and Cereals Creating a Food Security Challenge

May 7, 2020

COVID-19 has shaken the whole world impacting society and the global economy similar to the effect of a world war. Among many economic sectors, the frozen potato products value chain…

Webinar May 05: Dr. Monica Parker “Diversified Use of Apical Cuttings to Boost Potato Seed Systems”

April 17, 2020

World Potato Congress Webinar May 05, 2020 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Dr. Monica Parker Presenting: “Diversified Use of Apical Cuttings to Boost Potato Seed Systems” World Potato…

WPC Webinar April 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Dr. Alex Karasev Presenting: “Potato Viruses: An Update”

April 2, 2020

WPC is pleased to continue its webinar series and is extremely pleased to have Dr. Alex Karasev present “Potato Viruses: An Update”. ABSTRACT Viruses affect potato in two ways, by…

WPC Webinar on March 18th: Dr. Leah Tsror on Powdery Scab – Integrated Disease Management for Reducing the Risk

February 24, 2020

The World Potato Congress is extremely pleased to be offering its third webinar in 2020 featuring Dr. Leah Tsror. Powdery scab causes significant economic damage in potato production worldwide due…

World Revised figures show halt in rise in potato production

February 20, 2020

www.worldpotatomarkets.com The increase in world potato production stalled in 2018 and failed to recover significantly in 2019. World output slipped by =1.5% to 368.247 million tonnes in 2018 figures just…

Webinar Reminder – February 20, 2020 with Hein Kruyt

February 14, 2020

World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar Reminder – February 20, 2020 with Hein Kruyt, CEO, Solynta – What’s All This Talk About Hybrid Breeding and Hybrid True Potato Seeds (HTPS) Revolutionizing…

Webinar with Hein Kruyt, CEO Solynta

January 30, 2020

World Potato Congress Inc. February 20, 2020 Webinar with Hein Kruyt, CEO Solynta – What’s all this talk about Hybrid breeding and Hybrid True Potato Seeds (HTPS) revolutionizing the potato…

WEBINAR REMINDER – Feed the Future

January 10, 2020

WEBINAR REMINDER January 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. EST Presenter: Dr. David Douches Subject: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The…

January 24, 2020 Webinar with Dr. David Douches

December 17, 2019

January 24, 2020 Webinar with Dr. David Douches: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The World Potato Congress (WPC) is very…

Scroll To Top