Maine Potato Grower to Chair United States Potato Board

Members of the United States Potato Board recently elected Maine chip stock grower Tom Qualey as Chairman of the Board, an honor last bestowed upon a Mainer more than two decades ago. It is an achievement not easily earned but rather the result of hard work, strong leadership, and, ultimately, a steadfast commitment to the potato industry.

“To have someone from Maine in a position to chair a national potato organization is tremendous,” said Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board. “We’re number six or seven in potato production so to see Tom rise to the top, with the overwhelming support of top potato producing states, speaks volumes about both his character and his contributions to the industry.”

David Fraser, Vice President, Industry Communications &Policy Department, USPB, echoes this sentiment. “Qualey is extremely passionate about the potato industry and is willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good,” he said. “He is an outstanding grower-leader and all around good person who will definitely move the USPB to the next level during his administration.”
As chair, Qualey will work closely with USPB President and CEO Tim O’Connor to advance the organization’s mission, which is to increase demand for potatoes and potato products through an integrated promotion program, thereby providing U.S. producers with expanding markets for their production.

Qualey is serving his sixth year on the USPB. During his tenure, he has served on the International Marketing Committee, the Industry Communications &Policy Committee, and the Finance Committee – working his way up from a full board member (100 members) to an administrative member (33 members) to the executive committee (nine members).

Since 1977, Qualey and his older brother, John, have owned and operated Three Oak Farms, a 1,200-acre commercial farming operation, which produces potatoes, canola, mustard, corn, oats, and barley. For the past five years, Tom has been experimenting with growing and marketing gourmet potato varieties.

Tom is very active in the potato industry. He has participated at the board level with the Maine Potato Board, Maine Potato Growers, the Agricultural Bargaining Council, and the Integrated Pest Management Council.

There are about 380 potato growers in Maine, from Aroostook County to the western mountain region around Bethel and Fryeburg. The total impact of the potato industry on the state’s economy is $540 million in sales, 6100 jobs, over $230 million in personal income, and over $32 million in state and local taxes.