ANTIGO, WI – The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has announced that Tamas Houlihan has been named Executive Director of WPVGA.  He has been serving as Interim Executive Director since August of 2014.

“I am honored to accept the responsibility of leading the WPVGA as Executive Director,” Tamas said.  “I am proud to serve the agricultural community and look forward to continuing to work on its behalf.  I am fortunate to have an outstanding, experienced staff in place to help our industry accomplish its goals.”

Tamas has served as the Managing Editor of The Badger Common’Tater magazine for the last 27 years. In that time, he also held the title of Communications Director. This is also his third time as Interim Executive Director. He previously filled the role in 2000 and in 2008.

“I’m very excited about the future of the WPVGA under the leadership of Tamas Houlihan,” WPVGA President Larry Alsum of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, said. “His knowledge of the industry and communication skills make him an excellent choice to give the Association leadership and direction in the years to come.  His experience working with growers and our allied industries make him an asset to the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry.”

In this position, Tamas will lead a potato and vegetable trade association with more than 500 members and an annual budget of $1.5 million, according to a press release. His responsibilities include developing and maintaining an aggressive grower relations program as well as building consensus in the areas of research, marketing, education and governmental releations.

“The Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry is vibrant and progressive,” Tamas added. “We rank second in the nation in the production of vegetables for processing and third in potato production.  The WPVGA has a long-standing research partnership with the University of Wisconsin and an active membership base of grower volunteers and industry supporters.”

He graduated in 1985 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s Degree with a double-major in Communication and German. He received the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and the Albertson Medallion at UWSP.

Congratulations on this exciting new position, Tamas!

Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Inc.