Susan Waters Named Executive Director Of The Vidalia Onion Committee
October 28, 2013 | 2 min to read
Vidalia, Ga. – Susan Waters was recently promoted to executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC). Previously, Waters served as executive assistant to the former executive director for four years and was named interim manager in April 2013.
“I’m thrilled to be the new executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee,” said Waters. “My years of working side-by-side with the former director have prepared me to take on this new role. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the growers, packers and Vidalia onion industry to make sure we have another successful season.”
Waters assisted in the development and management of marketing and PR campaigns including the successful Flavors of Summer promotion. She performed research and reviewed trade and consumer advertisements, point-of-sale materials, website development, photography and trade show booth designs.
As executive director, Waters hopes to educate more individuals about the Vidalia onion. Focusing on the history and legacy of the one-of-a-kind crop, she plans to create campaigns that continuously teach both the new and existing consumer about the onions.
“Our customer base is always expanding,” said Waters. “It’s important for each one of those people to know how unique and exclusive the Vidalia onion is, and I hope to create campaigns that convey just that.”
Prior to joining the VOC, Waters worked as a secretary for 16 years at the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles and worked for 10 years as a secretary for Farm Credit Services.
About Vidalia® Onions
Vidalia® onions are the pioneer of sweet onions and Georgia’s official state vegetable. Grown only in the mild climate and unique soil surrounding Vidalia, Ga., they’re loved by chefs and home cooks throughout the world. Vidalia® onions are hand planted and hand harvested each year, with sweet, juicy bulbs available seasonally from late April to late August. Vidalia® onions, with their mild, sweet taste, are versatile and can be used in a variety of amazing recipes. These Georgia sweeties are also a low-fat, low-cholesterol and sodium-free way to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia® onions. The Vidalia® Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia® trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia®,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
Source: Vidalia® Onion Committee