Jerry Wright, president and CEO of United Potato Growers of America, announced his upcoming retirement at the Aug. 23 Board of Directors meeting in Salt Lake City. Jed Ellithorpe, current United board chairman, said Wright will continue in his role as CEO until the board has found a suitable replacement.
While serving as president and CEO of the United Potato Growers of Idaho, Wright organized and served as interim president of the United Potato Growers of America. Along with principal United founder Albert Wada, Wright was a key organizer and recruiter of potato growers in Idaho, Colorado, the Columbia Basin, the Klamath Basin and Wisconsin. Wright, who took over management of United in December 2011, has been called by the LDS Church to serve as technical advisor to a new program about to be instituted.