Chuck Gunnerson announces retirement as President of the NPPGA

Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) president Chuck Gunnerson, announced his upcoming retirement at the February 20th, NPPGA Annual Meeting in East Grand Forks, MN. Eric Halverson, incoming NPPGA Board Chairman, indicated that Gunnerson would continue in his role as president until the board has found a suitable replacement.

Gunnerson farmed and operated the Ada Produce Company, a red potato packaging facility in Ada, MN until 2004 when he decided to pursue an early retirement. His love of the industry brought him back to lead the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association when he assumed the role of Interim President in October 2008 and became President on July 1, 2009. Gunnerson says, after 40 years in the potato industry he looks forward to retirement and spending time with his family.

Gunnerson is a Past Chairman of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association (currently NPPGA). He also served as President of the National Potato Council in 2000 and as Chairman of the Minnesota Area One Potato Council for 20 years. He was Chairman of the Northern Crops Council in 1998-1999 and has served in various capacities on several agricultural commodity boards.

Gunnerson has received numerous honors including the "RRVPGA Meritorious Service Award" in 1997, The Grower magazine "Potato Man of the Year" in 1999, the National Potato Council (NPC) "Golden Potato Award" in 2004, the NPC "Presidents Award" in 2012; and the "Distinguished Service to The Minnesota Potato Industry Award" in 2017.

A nationwide search for Gunnerson’s replacement has already begun according to NPPGA’s Communications Director Ted Kreis.

Ted Kreis, Communications Director NPPGA:
 

“Chuck has been a strong leader for the past nine and a half years but the board is confident they will receive some strong applicants.”

An outside human resource specialist will assist NPPGA in its search for a new president.

Interested applicants can visit the www.nppga.org home page for a complete job description and application instructions.