Potatoes USA appointments for 2023

Potatoes USA has announced the appointments of new officer bearers for 2023-2024. The national marketing and promotion board of potato growers and importers also announced the new heads of Domestic Marketing Committee, Research Committee, International Marketing Committee, Industry Outreach Committee, and Finance and Policy Committee.

Earlier on May 15, Potatoes USA elected a new Executive Committee for 2023-2024, with Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, as the new Chairman of the Board.

Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, was reappointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting. Jennings is starting his sixth year on the Board and will serve his fourth year as Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee.

Jennings is the President of John E. Ferebee Farming and works with his wife, Susan Ferebee, Vice President, and his sister-in-law, Martha Ferebee, the Secretary-Treasurer. Also involved in the operations are his three sons and a nephew, the eighth generation of farmers.

John E. Ferebee Farming primarily produces white, red, and yellow potatoes. In addition to Jennings’ role on the Potatoes USA Board, he is the President of the Camden County, North Carolina Farm Bureau and a member of the North Carolina Potato Association.

Jeff Jennings:
 

"As Chair of the Committee, I am focused on making sure the financials run smoothly and look forward to what this next year holds."

The Finance and Policy Committee oversees Potatoes USA’s financial information and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee on finance and policy-related matters, including the annual budget. The Committee also oversees the audit process.

Ed Staunton of Tulelake, California, and Dennis Wright of Kennewick, Washington, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting.
 Staunton is serving his first year as an Industry Outreach Committee Co-Chair after being a Co-Chair for the International Marketing Committee in 2020. He previously served a full six-year term from 2001-2007, co-chairing the former Policy and Grower Relations Committee. Wright is in his fourth year as a Board Member and first year on the Executive Committee.
 Staunton is the Co-Manager and Partner of Staunton Farms LP and is involved in all aspects of the organization alongside his two sons, Kyle and Nathan, and nephews, Marc and Curtis. Staunton Farms produces a variety of fresh potatoes, both conventional and organic, including red, yellow, and russet, as well as chipping potatoes for a large processor and export markets.

As a third-generation potato farmer, Staunton boasts 39 years of experience in the field and remains deeply engaged with the industry. Staunton is on the California Potato Research Advisory Board.

From 2007 to 2019, he served on the National Potato Council’s Board and was on the United Potato Growers of America Board of Directors when it was first formed. Staunton says he "looks forward to being back on Potatoes USA’s leadership team and is ready to push through the current challenges and foster increased industry participation."

Wright is a General Manager at AgriNorthwest, a large farm operating in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon that sustainably produces potatoes, onions, corn, wheat, sweet corn, carrots, and peas. Before working in the potato industry, Wright managed an almond farm in California’s Central Valley and organic corn, wheat, and alfalfa crops for a large organic dairy in the Texas Panhandle.

He also managed a NASA-funded research program to use satellite imagery in agriculture and was a financial analyst for a large regional bank. Wright’s expertise lies in using data to improve crop production, developing people, and devising successful strategies.

As a newly appointed Co-Chair, Wright is enthusiastic about bringing his "unique perspective to the table and actively contributing to the committee’s success." In addition to his professional accomplishments, Wright has enjoyed being a part of many volunteer organizations, including leading church groups, working with people with disabilities and at-risk children, and serving on a school board.

The Industry Outreach Committee oversees industry communications. The committee is focused on expanding the awareness of Potatoes USA’s marketing and research programs and increasing engagement and involvement by industry members in Potatoes USA promotional programs and activities.
 Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Les Alderete of Monte Vista, Colorado, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting.

This marks Halverson’s fifth year as a Board Member and her third year on the Executive Committee. Before her current role, she served for two years as Co-Chair of the Industry Outreach Committee. Alderete is in his fourth year on the Board and is entering his first year on the Executive Committee. Previously, he served as a member of the Domestic Marketing Committee.
 With over two decades of experience in the potato industry, Halverson currently serves as the Director of Marketing at Black Gold Farms, a family-owned, fourth-generation farm specializing in chipping potatoes. Headquartered in North Dakota, Black Gold Farms operates nine additional farming locations across the United States.

Leah Halverson:
 

"I'm thrilled to be part of an initiative that highlights this mighty vegetable’s incredible potential, showcasing the potato’s versatility, nutritional value, and ability to fuel our bodies and minds while bringing innovation and inspiration to tables across the nation."

Besides her involvement with the Potatoes USA Board, Halverson is an active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), the Potato Growers Association covering the Northern Plains, and the chair of the Talent Committee for the International Fresh Produce Association.

Alderete holds the position of General Manager at Skyline Potato, a prominent shipping operation in southwest Colorado. In this role, he is responsible for a wide range of tasks, including pricing management, collaborating with growers, and ensuring the supply of raw products for clients.

With an impressive 26 years of experience in the potato industry, Alderete is a first-generation potato farmer who is deeply committed to the field.

Les Alderete:
 

"I'm eager to contribute to Potatoes USA’s mission by expanding its messaging and strengthening its domestic presence, building on the achievements of previous Chairs." Additionally, he is an active member of the Colorado potato organization in the San Luis Valley."

The Domestic Marketing Committee oversees the Potatoes USA consumer, nutrition, retail, ingredient, and foodservice marketing programs. The committee is focused on encouraging more people to eat more potatoes in more ways and positioning potatoes as a performance food.

The marketing programs are designed to inspire potato innovation across all channels, cultivate strategic partnerships, and advocate for scientific research to demonstrate potatoes’ role in enhancing overall physical and mental performance.
 Jennifer Gogan of Houlton, Maine, and Trever Belnap of Hamer, Idaho, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee as Research Committee Co-Chairs on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting.

Gogan has served on the Board for four years and on the Executive Committee for three. This is Belnap’s first year back on the Board after serving from 2015-2021, where he was a member of the International and Domestic Marketing Committees.
 Gogan is the Assistant Manager and part-owner of Miller Farms LLC, a seed potato farm in Littleton, Maine. The farm grows chipping varieties as well as Dark Red Norland, Caribou Russet, and Russet Burbank.

Gogan is also Assistant Manager at Aroostook Produce Distributors Inc., Miller Farms LLC’s sister company, which partners with local farmers to cultivate and supply chip stock to processing plants.

Jennifer Gogan:
 

"Contributing to a program focused on researching potato varieties and addressing disease, pests, and other challenges to the potato industry."

In addition to holding a position on the Potatoes USA Board, Gogan currently serves on the Maine Potato Board’s Research Committee and Seed Executive Board. Gogan is a graduate of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), class of 2013.

Belnap, a third-generation farmer with over 20 years of experience, is the General Manager of Ball Brothers Produce. This family-owned business, founded in 1942, focuses on growing potatoes for the fresh market and processing.

In his multifaceted role, Belnap manages various farm operations, including accounting, contracting, harvesting, procuring potatoes for the fresh shed, and running the Ball Brothers trucking business.

As Co-Chair of the Research Committee, he expresses his "interest in furthering research on diseases that could threaten the industry, such as potato virus Y (PVY) and potato mop-top virus (PMTV), and in actively participating in seed trials, particularly for new russet potato varieties."

In addition to his commitment to the Potatoes USA Board, Belnap holds positions with the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Marketing Committee, United Potato Growers of Idaho, and IDA GRO, a regional cooperative for potato growers. He is a 2015 graduate of PILI.

The Research Committee participates in developing national potato research priorities and promotes industry support for selected potato research projects through the Potato Research Advisory Committee (PRAC).

The committee also oversees the industry’s potato variety development activities for the chip and fry sectors through the National Chip Program (NCP) and National Fry Processors Trial (NFPT). The committee helps inform the industry of the latest potato nutrition research conducted through the Alliance of Potato Research and Education (APRE).
 Shelley Olsen of Othello, Washington, and Mike Larsen of Declo, Idaho, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee as International Marketing Committee Co-Chairs on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting. This marks Olsen’s sixth year serving on the Board and third year on the Executive Committee.
 She previously Co-Chaired the Industry Outreach and Domestic Marketing Committees. Larsen is in his sixth year on the Board and second year on the Executive Committee. He Co-Chaired the Research Committee last year and has been a member of the International Marketing and Research Committees.

Olsen works under two family-owned companies, LJ Olsen and Two O’s Inc., where three generations work together, including her husband Chris, who previously served on the Potatoes USA Board, her in-laws, Lynn and Marthann, her two sons, Owen and Connor and his wife, Kaitlyn. Their focus is on growing potatoes for frozen processing.

Shelley Olsen:
 

"It is an honor to drive the growth and accessibility of U.S. potatoes globally. Our committee ensures that international consumers and trade members recognize U.S. potatoes’ remarkable quality and nutritional benefits while managing comprehensive marketing programs in international markets."

In addition to her involvement with Potatoes USA, Olsen serves on the Washington State Potato Commission Marketing and Industry Affairs Committee. She is also the former Chair of the Potato Leadership and Education Foundation Board and a 2015 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) graduate.

Larsen has been working with and raising potatoes for the past 25 years, though he has been involved with agriculture since he was 12. As the General Manager of Mart Group, LLC, operating as Mart Produce, he helps their growers contract, grow, and deliver potatoes, manages new varieties, and develops future markets.

Last year, Mart Group, LLC acquired a small frozen potato plant and a dehy potato plant. Larsen assumed the Chief Marketing Officer role to develop new markets for the products, making the organization vertically integrated.

Mike Larsen:
 

"I'm looking forward to working with the committee and supporting management to engage with our international markets to continue to promote high-quality potato products."

"Working together as an industry, we can address issues to keep markets open, for example, continued access to fresh exports to Mexico."

Aside from his position on the Potatoes USA Board, Larsen is a lifetime member of the Leadership Idaho Agriculture and Chairman of the Potato Association of America’s (PAA) Marketing and Utilization Committee. Larsen also graduated from PILI, class of 2017.

The International Marketing Committee is focused on increasing U.S. potato exports across all product types, expanding access for U.S. potatoes across the globe, and ensuring international consumers and trade members know U.S. potatoes for their quality and nutritional benefits.

The committee oversees marketing programs for foodservice, retail, ingredient, consumer, market access, and seed potato exports in 25+ international markets.

Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, was reappointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 15, 2023, at the organization’s Annual Meeting. Jennings is starting his sixth year on the Board and will serve his fourth year as Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee.

Jennings is the President of John E. Ferebee Farming and works with his wife, Susan Ferebee, Vice President, and his sister-in-law, Martha Ferebee, the Secretary-Treasurer. Also involved in the operations are his three sons and a nephew, the eighth generation of farmers.

John E. Ferebee Farming primarily produces white, red, and yellow potatoes. In addition to Jennings’ role on the Potatoes USA Board, he is the President of the Camden County, North Carolina Farm Bureau and a member of the North Carolina Potato Association.

Jeff Jennings:
 

"As Chair of the Committee, I am focused on making sure the financials run smoothly and look forward to what this next year holds."

The Finance and Policy Committee oversees Potatoes USA’s financial information and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee on finance and policy-related matters, including the annual budget. The Committee also oversees the audit process.