PRESQUE ISLE — A search committee was named Wednesday to find a new executive director for the Maine Potato Board. The present director, Dwight Sewell, has been nominated by Gov. John R. McKernan as the director of the Maine State Housing Authority.

The former state director of the Farmers Home Administration, Sewell is expected to receive Senate confirmation before the current legislative session concludes this month.

Meeting in Presque Isle, the board voted to solicit opinions from other agricultural organizations, such as the Agricultural Bargaining Council, Maine Farm Bureau and the Aroostook Family Farm Core, regarding the executive position.

Named to the committee were MPB Chairman Gaylen Flewelling and John Bernier, both of Easton; G. Arnold Roach of Smryna Mills, and Ralph Hooke of Winn.

The board also voted to invite proposals from advertising firms interested in promoting Maine potatoes. For the past two years, the board has contracted with Ad Media of Augusta.

A decision by the board’s advertising committee is scheduled to be made by July 1, according to agency officials.

The board plans to ask the state’s congressional delegation to advocate a three-month delay in a ban of sulfites, which are used to keep foods appearing fresh. A representative of Endico, a New York firm which produces pre-peeled fresh potatoes for restaurant and institutional use, asked the board for its help in postponing the ban.