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{{#badges:FoodRightsNetwork}}'''J.R. Simplot''' is a privately-owned agricultural [[genetic engineering]] company describing itself as "one of the largest privately held food and agribusiness companies in the nation."<ref>,J.R. Simplot, [http://www.simplot.com/ Corporate Overview], corporate website, accessed July 8, 2013.</ref><ref name="990 form 2012">J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, Inc., [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/820/522/2012-820522113-08f83a54-F.pdf 2012 Form 990], foundation annual IRS filing, February 11, 2013.</ref> The company was founded in 1929 in Nevada and is now headquartered in Boise, Idaho.<ref>, J.R. Simplot, [http://www.simplot.com/about Corporate Overview], corporate website, accessed July 8, 2013.</ref><ref name="Contact">J.R. Simplot, [http://www.simplot.com/contact_us Corporate Contact], corporate website, accessed July 8th, 2013.</ref> It is an international company involved in agriculture, fertilizer manufacturing, and food processing in the United States, China, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. As the largest processor of frozen potatoes, the company began supplying potatoes for [[McDonald's]] french fries in the 1960s and is now the major supplier for [[Burger King]] and [[Wendy's]] as well.<ref name="Hoovers">[http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.JR_Simplot_Company.a92e52fa3459d972.html J.R. Simplot Company, Company Information], "Hoovers", accessed July 9, 2013.</ref>
J.R. Simplot's genetically engineered potatoes are currently awaiting regulatory approval before they can reach the market.<ref>Food & Water Watch, [https://secure3.convio.net/fww/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=779&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=tqryqge1y5.app339a Are GE Potatoes Coming to a Store Near You?], advocacy organizational website, accessed July 9, 2013.</ref> The company also produces fruits and vegetables through its labels RoastWorks and Simplot Classic.<ref name="Hoovers"/>
In 2012, J.R. Simplot absorbed Migl Feed and Grain Co., Crop Service Center, Inc, and Dorman Brothers LLC.<ref name="Businessweek"/> The company also runs two 501(c)(3) non-profit foundations, '''J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, Inc''' and '''J.R. Simplot Foundation, Inc'''.
J.R. Simplot's annual sales were about $5.6 billion as of a 2012 company report.<ref>J.R. Simplot, [http://www.simplot.com/fileUploads/sustainability_report.pdf 2012 Sustainability Report], corporate report, 2012, accessed March 2014.</ref>
==Genetically Modified InnateTM Potatoes==
[[Image:GMOpotato.jpg|200px|thumb|right|"Best-intentioned genome tinkering could be accompanied by unforeseen effects on human health and the environment." - Bill Freese<ref name="yahoo"/>]] In May 2013, J.R. Simplot submitted a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requesting a non-regulated status on its InnateTMpotatoes, "which have been genetically engineered for low acrylamide potential and reduced black spot bruise."<ref name="Federal Register">J.R. Simplot, [https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/05/03/2013-10504/jr-simplot-co-availability-of-petition-for-determination-of-nonregulated-status-of-potato Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Potato Genetically Engineered for Low Acrylamide Potential and Reduced Black Spot Bruise], "Federal Register" petition, May 3, 2013.</ref> Acrylamide is a "natural but potentially cancer-causing neurotoxin, released by potatoes when fried. Such low acrylamid levels would remove potato products from voter-mandated cancer labels in California.<ref name="yahoo"/> Unlike Monsanto's widely protested genetically engineered New Leaf potato of the 90's which used synthetic bacteria genes and lasted only six years in the fields, Simplot's potatoe only uses the potato genome, hence the name ''Innate''TMpotato.<ref name="yahoo">John Miller, [http://news.yahoo.com/idaho-spud-giant-bets-biotech-potatoes-074033796.html Idaho spud giant bets on biotech potatoes], "Associated Press", May 14, 2013.</ref> Haven Baker, Vice President of Simplot's Plant Sciences, describes the InnateTMpotato technologies: "The inserted genes come from cultivated potatoes or wild potatoes (a group of related plant species that are sexually-compatible with potatoes). We incorporate no foreign genes, no antibiotic resistance markers, and no vector backbone sequences, into the plant genome."<ref name="GLP"/> J.R. Simplot initiated USDA regulatory approval in January 2013, for which public comment ended on July 2nd, 2013. An additional FDA safety review was underway as of May 2013.<ref name="GLP"/> Once approved, J.R. Simplot would sell its genetically engineered potatoes to commercial growers. The potato products would likely reach consumers between 2015 and 2016, unlabeled, and with unknown long-term affects.<ref>Food & Water Watch, [https://secure3.convio.net/fww/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=779&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=tqryqge1y5.app339a Are GE Potatoes Coming to a Store Near You?], organizational website, accessed July 9, 2013.</ref><ref name="GLP"/>
On similar browning resistant genetic modifications, the apple industry has become concerned that genetically engineered apples will put unmodified apple growers at a competitive disadvantage.<ref name="yahoo"/> Bill Freese, a science policy analyst with the [[Center for Food Safety]], predicts that the Innate potatoes will fail, saying:
:"Simplot's potatoes join a litany of other genetically engineered crops that don't face rigorous-enough USDA or FDA testing. . . . Genetic engineering is a noisy, unpredictable process, where the best-intentioned genome tinkering could be accompanied by unforeseen effects on human health and the environment."<ref name="yahoo"/>
Freese further warns that although potatoes are consumed directly by humans, there have not been long-term animal feeding trials, and criticizes Simplot for presenting a "miscalculate[d]" public attitude towards GMO's.<ref name="yahoo"/> It is also likely that Innate potatoes, as with most GMO's, will "require excessive use of toxic pesticides, which do pose environmental risks, create harm to other species and inevitably lead to pesticide resistant insects and plants," according to ''Organic Authority''.<ref>Jill Ettinger, [http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/theyre-back-gmo-potato-producer-seeks-usda-approval-for-new-variety/ They’re Back: GMO Potato Producer Seeks USDA Approval for New Variety], "Organic Authority", May 8, 2013.</ref> The CEO of the National Potato Commission, John Keeling, cautions J.R. Simplot to keep its potatoes from reaching foreign markets before being approved in the United States. J.R. Simplot began seeking approval in the spring of 2013 for Innate potatoes in Japan, Mexico, Canada, and South Korea.<ref name="yahoo"/>
==Personnel==
===Board of Directors===
As of July 2013:<ref> J.R. Simplot, [http://www.simplot.com/about/board_of_directors Corporate Leadership], corporate website, accessed July 8, 2013.</ref><ref name="Businessweek">[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=173369 Company Overview of J.R. Simplot Company], "Bloomberg Businessweek", accessed July 9, 2013.</ref><ref>J.R. Simplot, [http://www.sos.idaho.gov/servlet/TransformXMLDoc?URL=%5C20121220%5CXMLPORTS____12355093.xml Annual Report], corporate document, December 20, 2012.</ref>
*Scott R. Simplot - Chairman and Executive Committee member
*William J. Whitacre - Cheif Executive Officer and Executive Director
*Gay Simplot - Director and Executive Committee member
*Ted Simplot - Director and Executive Committee member
*J. E. Simplot - Director and Executive Committee member
*Debbie McDonald - Director and Executive Committee member
*Dale Dunn - Director
*Steven Beebe - Director
*Joe Marshall - Director
*Terry Uhling - Secretary
*Richard Hormaechea - Director
*Robert Lane - Director
*Amber Post - Vice President and Treasurer
*Lawrence Hlobik - Former Director and Member of Executive Committee
===Executive Management===
As of July 2013:<ref name="Businessweek"/><ref name="GLP">Karl Haro von Mogel,[http://www.biofortified.org/2013/05/qa-with-haven-baker-innate-potatoes/ Q&A with Haven Baker on Simplot’s Innate™ Potatoes], "Biology Fortified, Inc", May 8, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/marketing-lists.JR_Simplot_Company.a92e52fa3459d972.html J.R. Simplot Company Marketing Contacts], "Hoovers", accessed July 10, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.insideview.com/directory/j-r-simplot-company J. R. Simplot Company], "InsideView", July 5th, 2013.</ref>
*William J. Whitacre - Cheif Executive Officer and Executive Director
*Becky Randall - Chief Operating Officer
*Scott McNeley - Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales
*Garrett Lofto - President of Agribusiness Group
*Haven Baker - Vice President of Plant Sciences
*Mark McKellar - President of Simplot Food Group
*Joel Barker - Vice President and Controller of Agra Business
*Steve Patterson - Vice President of Sales, Food Group
*Erin Nuxoll - Vice President of Human Resources
*Shane Robinson - Information Technology Director
*Kim Westover - Senior Director of Innovation
*Susan Collinge - Director of Research and Development
*Bill Whitacre - Director and Executive Committee Member
*Connie Demond - Director-Human Resources
*Kathy Swords - Director of Biotecnology
*Jim Englar - Plant Director
*Alan Christie - Director Engineering
*Derek Shaw - Director IT
*Ryan Martin - Information Technology Director
*Ed Cranson - Director / Manager / Department Head / Chief-Safety
*Val Nielsen - Senior Director Corporate Tax
*Duane Evans - Senior Director, Quality And Technical Services
*Dan Johnson - Director Information Technology
*Janice Dilworth - Vice President, Manager, Director
*Tom Basabe - Assistant Vice President and Regional District Manager - Central
*Connie Moser - Administrative Administrator
*Ken Pyles - Information Systems Manager
*Brad Baltzer - Marketing Manager
*Greg Dismuke - Manager, IT Business Integration and IT Project Change
*Dave Dufault - Business Manager
*Heidi Butler - HR Services Manager
*Barbara Weber - Marketing Manager
*Lori Bishop - Customer Service Manager
*Bryan Howerton - Database Administrator
*Traci O'Donnell - Manager of Customer Focus Marketing-Food Products
*Michael Kissel - Manager of Software Development
*Barbara Minor - Administrator
*Kevin Browning - Food Safety Manager
*Edie Campbell - Information Technology Project Manager
*Craig Corsentino - Applications Manager
*Steve Vernon - Food Research and Development Manager
==Contact Details==
Postal Address:
J.R. Simplot Company<br>
P.O. Box 27<br>
Boise, Idaho 83707
Physical Address:
J.R. Simplot Company<br>
999 Maine St., Suite 1300<br>
Boise, Idaho 83702
As of June 2013, the company's registered agent is David E. Spurling, who can be reached at:<ref>J.R. Simplot,[http://www.sos.idaho.gov/tiffpilot/tiffpilot.exe?FN=\\sosimg\corp$/%5C20130619%5CAREPORTS13170092521.tif Statement of Change of Registered Agent], corporate document, June 13, 2013.</ref>
David E. Spurling<br>
999 Maine St., Suite 1300<br>
Boise, Idaho 83702
Phone: (208) 336-2110<ref name="Contact"/><br>
Website: http://www.simplot.com
==J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, Inc==
J.R. Simplot Company Foundation is a 501(c)(3) run by the J.R. Simplot Company. In 2012, J.R. Simplot Company reported a total annual revenue of $931,389 and gave a total of $875,524 in contributions. Recipients of some of the largest donations include:<ref name="990 form 2012"/>
*[[Nutrients for Life Foundation]] - $220,000
*[[Ronald McDonald House Charities]] - $107,150
The foundation also gave $20,000 to [[Rick Berman]]'s front group, the [[Center for Consumer Freedom]] -- which runs "[[HumaneWatch]]" -- in 2010.<ref>J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, Inc., [https://bulk.resource.org/irs.gov/eo/2012_02_PF/82-0522113_990PF_201103.pdf 2010 Form 990], foundation annual IRS form, February 13, 2012.</ref>
===Personnel===
====Board of Directors====
As of February 2013:<ref name="990 form 2012"/>
*Gay C. Simplot - President, Director
*John Edward Simplot - Vice President, Director
*Annette Elg - Treasurer
*Amber H. Post - Assistant Treasurer
*Laura M. Peterson - Assistant Treasurer
*Terry T. Uhling - Secretary
*Scott R. Simplot - Director
*Debbie S. McDonald - Director
===Contact Details===
Postal Address:
J.R. Simplot Company<br>
P.O. Box 27<br>
Boise, Idaho 83707
==J.R. Simplot Foundation, Inc==
J.R. Simplot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization run by the J.R. Simplot Company. In 2011, J.R. Simplot Foundation reported a total annual revenue of $5,036,711 and gave a total of $7,236,531 in contributions, of which $6,800,000 went to the Idaho Community Foundation.<ref name="Foundation 990 form 2011">J.R. Simplot Foundation, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/826/003/2011-826003437-0871e5c4-F.pdf 2011 Annual Report], foundation annual IRS form, August 22, 2012.</ref>
===Personnel===
====Board of Directors====
As of August 2012:<ref name="Foundation 990 form 2011"/>
*Debbie McDonald - President, Director
*Scott Simplot - Vice President, Director
*Gay Simplot - Director
*Don Simplot - Director
*Ted Simplot - Director
*Ron Graves - Secretary
*Annette Elg - Treasurer
===Contact Details===
Postal Address: <ref name="Foundation 990 form 2011"/>
J.R. Simplot Company<br>
P.O. Box 27<br>
Boise, Idaho 83707
==Articles and Resources==
===Related SourceWatch Articles===
* [["Big 6" Pesticide and GMO Corporations]]
* [[Monsanto]]
* [[BASF]]
* [[Bayer]]
* [[Dow Chemical]]
* [[DuPont]]
* [[Syngenta]]
===References===
<references/>
[[Category:Corporations]][[Category:Food Rights Network]]