Idaho Potatoes Commission / Idahoan Foods
Dan Nakamura is currently the Chairman of the Idaho Potato Commission and Director of Raw Material Procurement for Idahoan Foods in Idaho Falls, ID.
Dan, like his father and grandfather, spent his entire career working in the potato industry. His grandfather started farming in Idaho in the 1940’s with a small plot of land and just a few trucks. As he built his business, he acquired more than 15,000 acres of farm ground, a fresh potato packing operation and potato dehydration plants located in Idaho and Nevada. Even though the company was sold in 1999, Dan continues to be a part of the organization.
Dan Nakamura graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. Dan started his career as Unit Manager for J. R. Simplot Co. in Winnemucca, NV. In 1988 he became the Fresh Potato Operations and Sales Manager at Winnemucca Farms (his family’s business) and was later promoted to Vice President, Raw Procurement. He has served as a member of the Nevada State Board of Agriculture.
Dan and his wife, Colette, live in the Idaho Falls Idaho area and have been married for 32 years. They have two daughters, Nicole and Aimee’. In his spare time he enjoys coaching softball, volunteering with youth activities and participating in outdoor sports like snowmobiling in the winter and golf whenever possible.