M A R C H 2 0 1 9 POTATO GROWER 19 Black Gold Hires Chief Production Officer Black Gold Farms recently announced that Kerwin Bradley has joined the organization as the Chief Production Officer (CPO). As CPO, Kerwin will sup- port all aspects of crop production and sit on the executive team. His role will be to implement best practices, lead variety selection and development, drive the adaption of new and innova- tive technologies which will improve agronomic decision making, and build out an aggressive production strategy for Black Gold Farms. Kerwin brings over twenty years of pota- to production experience working in various roles within the potato industry. He also brings leadership, a strategic mindset and agronomic skills that will help Black Gold Farms reach yield and quality goals that their customers are demanding. Bradley was perviously with Frito Lay where he spent 13 years working on potato variety commercialization, agronomy and storage best practice development, as well as supply chain innovation. He then went on to J.R. Simplot where he spent 6 years helping lead the commercialization of the genet- ically engineered Innate® potatoes. “Kerwin will immediately help us dig deeper and bring our agronomic expert- ise and production efforts to a new level” said Eric Halverson, CEO of Black Gold Farms. “He is the perfect addition for us to continue to be the most reli- able, and quality driven potato producer in the United States. We are excited about the knowledge and experience that Kerwin has from working with some of the largest potato organizations in the world. His deep understanding of potatoes, his commitment to innova- tion, and relentless pursuit of excellence will be a perfect fit with our current team.” “I’m thrilled to be working for Black Gold Farms because of their agronomic enthusiasm and commitment to pota- toes. The overall company culture of farming better has really positioned them to sustain their leadership role in the potato category” Bradley stated. “I have been familiar with Black Gold Farms and paid close attention to what all they have been doing throughout the years. I believe that there is no other organization that has the combination of a committed family ownership, a rock-solid foundation and a singular focus on yield and quality then Black Gold Farms does.” In the heart of potato country. Serving all of Agriculture. Maximize Your Farm’s EFFICIENCY! Shop: (715) 335-6652 • Cell: (715) 498-6651 E-mail: [email protected] 8364 Monica Road, PO Box 228 • Bancroft, WI 54921 www.sandcountyequipment.com Visit us on FACEBOOK Servicing ALL Makes of Equipment