US (NC): Sweet Potato Commission announces new Executive Director

Kelly McIver was named the Executive Director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission (NCSPC) on August 17, following the retirement announcement earlier this year by longtime director Sue Johnson-Langdon. McIver comes over from the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) where she assisted the NCSPC and other state agriculture groups open and develop export markets around the world.

Johnson-Langdon known as "Sweet Sue” joined the Commission as Executive Director in 1995. "It is somewhat difficult to leave this wonderful position I have enjoyed for many years,” said Johnson-Langdon, "but I am confident that Kelly will carry the ‘sweet potato torch’ to greater successes for the NC sweet potato growers.”

Kelly McIver has been working with NCSPC in her role in the NCDACS’ international marketing department for the past five years, which included market development trips across Europe, Canada and Israel. "I am excited to be working full time with the growers and shippers of sweet potatoes whom I have come to know through my work at NCDACS, and build upon the foundation of success that Sue has established.”

North Carolina is the largest grower of sweet potatoes, accounting for nearly half of U.S. production. The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Inc. is a nonprofit corporation made up of over 400 sweet potato growers along with the packers, processors and business associates that support them. The sole purpose of the Commission is to increase sweet potato consumption through education, promotional activities, research and honorable horticultural practices among its producers. Sweet potato consumption in the U.S. has grown exponentially in the past 20 years.

Visit the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission website for more information.