World Potato Congress Inc. congratulates Dr. Simon Heck in his appointment as Director General of CIP and CGIAR Senior Director.

The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors congratulates Dr. Simon Heck on being chosen as the next Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), headquartered in Lima Peru.

Simon has led the CIP sweet potato program for the past ten years, reaching over seven million households, primarily in Africa, with bio-fortified sweet potatoes.  He is well recognized for his unique ability to have research results quickly tested and, if proven successful, swiftly adapted and implemented by farmers and stakeholders in many countries.

Dr. Peter VanderZaag, WPC President, looks forward to working closely with Dr. Simon Heck.  “Both the World Potato Congress Board of Directors and the global team under the direction of Dr. Heck have similar missions as we fulfill objectives designed to improve global food security. The WPC has benefited greatly from the ongoing support of CIP. “

Dr. Simon Heck will assume his new role on March 1, 2023. Dr Oscar Ortiz, who served as Interim Director General, will continue his role as CGIAR Senior Director for Crop-based systems, based in Lima.