As CEO of the Oregon Potato Commission since 2005, Bill Brewer has helped the industry to defeat new pests, develop new varieties and expand trade to new overseas markets.
Working with the state potato commissions in Washington and Idaho, Brewer said the Northwest has tripled its research budget and formed the Potato Variety Management Institute, a nonprofit organization to handle the licensing and royalty collection on new Tri-State potato varieties such as Willamette and Owyhee Russet.
After 14 years, Brewer, 68, is set to retire from the commission on June 30, leaving behind shoes that fellow growers say will not be easy to fill.
“You have never heard anybody say a bad thing about Bill Brewer,” said Mark Ward, commission chairman and potato farmer near Baker City, Ore. “He’s well respected by the industry.”
