M A R C H 2 0 1 8 4 POTATO GROWER 4 POTATO GROWER NPPGA President Chuck Gunnerson Announces Retirement Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) president Chuck Gunnerson, announced his upcoming retirement at the February 20th, NPPGA Annual Meeting in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Eric Halverson, incom- ing NPPGA Board Chairman, indi- cated that Gunnerson would con- tinue 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, Minnesota until 2004 when he decided to pur- sue 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 for- ward 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. Search Begins for New President Begins - Applicants Sought The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Board of Directors is embarking on their search for a new President for the organization. The President position, based in East Grand Forks, MN, is primarily responsible for representing the interests of NPPGA's members to provide industry leadership and manage association business to ful- fill its mission. The individual chosen will be actively involved in representing the organization and its members in several capacities, including; devel-