The National Potato Council (NPC) has installed its 2026 Executive Committee leadership during its annual Washington Summit, with Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, Michigan elected to serve as President for the next 12 months.

Sklarczyk, a third-generation grower, is the owner of Sklarczyk Seed Farm, a hydroponic seed potato operation based in Johannesburg, MI. He assumed full ownership of the family business a decade ago, purchasing it alongside his wife, Alison, from his father, Don Sklarczyk, who served as NPC President in 2007.

A longstanding industry representative, Sklarczyk has been involved with NPC since the early 2000s and joined the organisation’s Board of Directors in 2010. Prior to his election as President, he spent nearly a decade on the Executive Committee, serving in multiple roles including First Vice President, Vice President of Grower Outreach and Industry Research, Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Vice President of Finance.

Outlining his priorities for the year ahead, Sklarczyk said: “Our 2026 agenda will focus on capitalizing on new federal dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices for U.S. potatoes globally, and removing non-tariff trade barriers. I also want to emphasize the importance of grower engagement with state and federal representatives to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in policy-making.”

The NPC’s full 2026 Executive Committee roster includes:

President – Ben Sklarczyk (Johannesburg, MI)
First Vice President and Vice President, Legislative Affairs – Dean Gibson (Paul, ID)
Vice President, Environmental Affairs – Chris Olsen (Othello, WA)
Vice President, Finance – Greg Harris (Boardman, OR)
Vice President, Grower Outreach and Industry Research – TJ Hall (Hoople, ND)
Vice President, Trade Affairs – Brett Jensen (Idaho Falls, ID)
Immediate Past President – Ted Tschirky (Pasco, WA)

Sklarczyk’s wife, Alison, serves on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors.

The leadership transition comes at a time when the US potato sector continues to navigate evolving trade conditions, regulatory frameworks and dietary policy developments, areas that are expected to remain central to NPC’s advocacy agenda over the coming year.