July/August 2019 - 31

KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD BE FEATURED?
Email Zeke Jennings at zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
or call 616-520-2159
Spudman7
Q&A
WITH
Gary Roth
Gary Roth may be new to the Oregon Potato
Commission, but he's no stranger to the
state's agricultural scene. Roth, who recently
succeeded longtime OPC director Bill Brewer,
has more than 30 years of experience in ag.
He's been with the Oregon Farm Bureau as
What attracted you to the OPC?
I was looking to leverage my skill set
and experience with greater focus on
a tighter range of products in an industry
which provides great economic potential
and return for its members. I was looking for
impact, to work with committed stewards who
represented the best of Oregon agriculture.
For me, the OPC is the perfect fit.
1
3
a lobbyist and has held positions in Oregon
Department of Agriculture's trade and marketing
divisions. Roth has also worked in the private
sector as a business developer. He grew up
on a farm in Scappoose and is a graduate of
Oregon State University.
2
What are the biggest challenges for the Oregon
potato industry?
I'm one and a half months into the job and every grower, shipper
and processor has a slightly different twist on that. Research is the OPC's
No. 1 priority, and this must continue in strong cooperation with our
neighboring states. I also see consumer education, international market
access and education and career entry opportunities as areas which
can be further addressed. ... I'm really excited about exploring ways to
leverage Potatoes USA's Athletic Performance Campaign.
What are your top goals for the next year?
It is critical that I continue to venture around our state
and meet and confer with as many (industry members)
as possible to build out my understanding. Alongside that
is to maintain and strengthen a close working relationship
with the other producing states, particularly our neighbors
in Washington and Idaho. We share a considerable amount
of grower investment in research with our two neighbors
and their land grant universities; it's important that this be
sustained and supported.
5
How will your background
with state government
help?
I have worked extensively with Oregon's
commodity commissions and the OPC
specifically. The OPC is an independent state
agency, yet has ODA oversight. Fortunately
for me, there is not a learning curve in terms
of understanding how an agency should and
should not operate. ... I look to help OPC
function on all cylinders, so to speak, take
advantage of its unique position and navigate
the regulatory landscape for maximum efficiency.
6
How do you plan to utilize your trade
history in your new position?
Trade development seldom happens quickly,
so patience and perseverance are key. We will seek to
maximize our available resources for trade development
in cooperation with our USDA and state of Oregon
friends and partners for both market entry and market
penetration. Market entry policy work, while it can take
years, is relatively low cost and typically can have a huge
marginal return on cost and effort when it's successful.
4
What do you enjoy doing
away from work?
(My wife and I and our two teenage
children - a boy and a girl) live on a small,
5-acre farm very near where I grew up with
three horses, a dog and a cat. Our children are
very active in the community and sports. I spent
much of my youth in 4-H and both my wife and I,
in equestrian sports, which both our children have
taken up. ... I still own three of my grandfather's
tractors and all of his hay equipment - it all
still works - and has been gratifying to bring my
kids up on the same equipment.
7
What is your
favorite way
to eat
potatoes?
My wife does a fantastic
job preparing red potatoes
with salt, pepper some
onion and a little olive
oil and garlic to throw
under the broiler or on
the barbecue. I always
order country potatoes if
I go out for breakfast.
Spudman * July/August 2019
31
July/August 2019

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