Mark Szymanski appointed director public relations at the National Potato Council

Mark Szymanski has joined the National Potato Council as director of public relations. Szymanski brings more than 10 years of combined experience in communications, new media and regulatory affairs to the NPC. He will lead the association's media outreach, grassroots initiatives and social media programs.

"We are excited to have Mark join our team,"said John Keeling Executive Vice President and CEO. "His strong background in communications will be a great benefit towards our efforts to engage the media on our issues and develop social media programs. I look forward to working with Mark to enhance NPC's position as the leading voice for the potato industry on public policy issues."

Szymanski previously served as the communications director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform, where he was responsible for their public relations outreach, media relations, new media and speech writing. Prior to working at the Chamber, he served as the senior speechwriter at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a media coordinator for members of the New York State Assembly.

He is a native of upstate New York and grew up working on family farms around Wayland, home of the annual Wayland Potato Festival. Mark received his bachelor's degree from Binghamton University in New York. He will be based out of the NPC office in Washington, D.C.