EAGLE, ID - The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is switching things up, with the addition of produce veteran and retail superhero Mike Krage as its new Retail Promotion Director-Northeast/Midwest. “Mighty” Mike Krage will take over for “Dynamite” Dave Rhodes, who will be returning to retail as Director of Produce and Floral for Fresh Encounter, a 59-store chain in Indiana and Ohio.
“I've worked closely with IPC as a retailer over the last 20 years, and I’ve always valued their insights about what’s going on within that category,” Krage said. “I’m a big fan of using data, and IPC has some outstanding category data available by retailer and by region. I’m looking forward to sharing how category data can really help drive good decisions for assortment, pricing, promotion, and merchandising.”
In his new role, Krage will be based in Champaign, Illinois, and will utilize category management, promotions, and other marketing support tools to assist buyers and category managers in the Midwest and Northeast in boosting category profitability.
Krage has held roles at Supervalu/UNFI, Albertsons, and Winn-Dixie, handling everything from operations to sales and merchandising to category management. He was also one of the first board members for the Southeast Produce Council, founded in 1999, and was on United Fresh’s Retail Board of Directors.
“Mike knows the produce industry from grower to end user, so he is able to hit the ground running with all the outstanding resources of the Idaho Potato Commission,” said Seth Pemsler, Vice President-Retail/International. “I know our customers are going to enjoy working with him.”
Krage celebrated his recent 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Diedre, with a hiking and zip-lining expedition near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The couple has a 24-year-old daughter who is a Registered Nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
Congratulations to Mighty Mike, Dynamite Dave, and the whole IPC team!
