Potato breeder names industry veteran Derbidge new president

HZPC Americas Corp. has named a potato industry veteran as its new president. Aron Derbidge, who succeeds Jeff Scramlin, will begin leading operations across the U.S. and Canada on May 1.

Derbidge brings more than 20 years of experience in developing and marketing seed potatoes as well as supporting businesses in commercial growth across the U.S. and Canada. He received a bachelor’s degree from University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration and Management from Idaho State University.

Since joining HZPC Americas Corp. two years ago, as senior vice president of sales, Derbidge has focused on strengthening research and development programs to move the potato industry in North America forward.

Derbidge has been a long-term potato industry leader and was recently appointed to the Potatoes USA board of directors. He also serves as the potato section chair with the American Seed Trade Association. These roles allow Derbidge to help solve both current and potential issues for HZPC Americas Corp. partners and growers.

As president, Aron will lead the new HZPC Americas Corp. team as it continues in its mission to differentiate potatoes in North America and address challenges facing the potato industry.

“I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to help advance an industry that has given me so much. I’m eager to take on the senior leadership role for HZPC Americas Corp. representing our Canadian and U.S. business,” Derbidge said in a news release. “As we shift our business model from direct seed sales to a licensed seed sale model, I’m looking forward to seeing the ways in which we collaborate with our partners across the value chain to help them stay ahead and continue growing.”

The Royal HZPC Group is a global market leader in potato breeding, seed potato trading, and potato product concept development, helping companies with the latest innovation in potato varieties and know-how. The HZPC Americas Corp. team works with value chain partners to develop and deliver innovative products and services.

Its varieties include organic options such as Rosi, a high-yielding red skin table potato with creamy flesh.

Scramlin will step down as the current president, though he will still work with the HZPC Americas Corp. team on special projects, including supporting Potato Glory (a brand owned by the Royal HZPC Group) projects that drive demand for and increase appreciation of potatoes.

HZPC recently became the only seed breeding company in The Netherlands to achieve Royal status. This designation, granted by the monarch of The Netherlands, is given to industry leaders with more than 100 years impacting their industry. The company is now known as the Royal HZPC Group in recognition of the company’s 125 years of excellence in being a world-class potato breeding company.