Jay Martini and Mike Shamberg hired by Russet Potato Exchange

Our very creative guest blogger Jay Martini (if you are new to the blog, Jay had a string of powerful guest posts during the salmonella outbreak last year) has a new day job. Congratulations, Jay. Here is the press release about the recent developments at Russet Potato Exchange.



Bancroft, WI; March 26, 2009 – With sales and account presence all over the United States, Russet Potato Exchange (RPE) decided their offices no longer needed to be confined only within the borders of Wisconsin and opened their first satellite office in Chicago with the help of Mike Shamberg and John (Jay) Martini, Jr., formerly of The Art Kramer Company.

RPE’s interest in expanding their locations is based on their corporate goals to be a category leader and offer all their customers expanded services. Russell Wysocki, President of RPE commented, “Our new Chicago office allows us to offer greater customer service levels and touch points within the Chicago market, as well as extended Midwest markets by expanding our sales staff with experienced professionals like Mike and Jay.”

When asked about the transition, Shamberg remarked, “RPE presented Jay (Martini) and I with an opportunity to utilize our collective business experience and expand our customer base. Our close working relationship with RPE over the years has been based in trust and respect. Their continued growth in the industry was a testament to their vision and we wanted to be a part of that.”

Wysocki went on to note, “RPE’s relationship of over 30 years with Mike (Shamberg) provided us with a high degree of confidence in his ability to lead our new effort and bring valuable assets that help the new office quickly get up to speed and continue to deliver on our corporate initiatives for quality execution. Additionally, Jay’s experience with products like tomatoes gives us new areas of growth to explore.”“I am excited about the opportunity to work for a proactive company that is well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities. RPE’s willingness to bring Mike and I on board and expand their customer base and product mix speaks to their commitment to growth,” concluded Jay Martini.

RPE Chicago will be based in Skokie, IL and officially opened for business on Monday, March 23. In addition to handling potatoes, onions and tomatoes, RPE Chicago will be available for short service and will occasionally handle a variety of additional items including cabbage, carrots, melons and mixed root vegetables.

Russet Potato Exchange (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.