Bancroft, Wis. – Effective May 2, Clay Gustaveson will join the sales staff at RPE as the new Director of Foodservice Sales. Based in RPE's Paul, Idaho office, Gustaveson will be responsible for expanding RPE's foodservice presence for both their full potato line and their new line, Tasteful Selections(tm).
Gustaveson's experience includes over 20 years in the potato business in the areas of sales, research and development and field buying. In the past, Gustaveson has worked for Basic American, Sun Spice and most recently Potandon Produce where he worked primarily in foodservice sales.
In this newly created position, Gustaveson will play a key role in further developing RPE's foodservice business by expanding relationships with foodservice operators, national restaurant chains and broadline distributors. Key efforts will include formalizing customer programs, creating category management tools for foodservice operators and establishing long-term contracts with key foodservice customers.
"As our business has grown, we found it necessary to restructure our business and separate our retail and foodservice sales so we could more functionally align with our customers," remarked Russell Wysocki, President/CEO of RPE. Wysocki continued by saying, "RPE has always devoted a portion of our business to foodservice, but our Tasteful Selections line of specialty potatoes provides greater opportunities. Clay's understanding of the business and long-term relationships with
foodservice suppliers gives him access to share the Tasteful Selections story and offer a full-service solution for all their potato needs."
Gustaveson commented on the new position, "Having been around the industry for a long time, I have a solid history and relationship with RPE. This is the right time in my career to make a change and I think my business perspectives can be an asset to the RPE team."
An avid outdoorsman, Gustaveson enjoys spending time at the family cabin near Yellowstone, skiing and golfing. Gustaveson lives in Blackfoot, Idaho with his wife and has two grown children.
RPE, a second generation family farm, is a category leader and key grower/shipper of year-round potatoes and onions. RPE prides itself on maintaining a high level of business integrity that includes commitments to environmental sustainability, as well as category innovation and retail solutions.
Source: RPE
