b'Potatoes USA Elects 2022/2023 LeadershipPotatoesUSA,themarketingandpro- NationalPotatoCouncil,statepotatoTravisMeachamofMosesLake, motionboardforthepotatoindustry,organizations,andUSDAFASandWashington, Co-Chair of the Domestic elected new leadership during its AnnualAPHIS.Marketing Committee. Meeting on March 9, 2022. The newly electedChairmanandExecutiveI am committed to driving forward theMike Larsen of Declo, Idaho, Co-Chair Committee will lead the Board throughcommon goal and interest we all haveof the Research Committee. 2022-2023.for this industry - to grow the best pota-to for the world to enjoy and make sureJennifer Gogan of Houlton, Maine, Co-JasonDavenportofBakersfield,peopleknowpotatoesareoneoftheChair of the Research Committee. CaliforniawaselectedasChairmanofmostimportantstaplefoods, the Board. This marks Davenports sixthDavenportsaidwhenaskedwhatheJaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho, year on the Board and as a member ofwants for the industry.Past Chair. the Executive Committee. He has served astheCo-ChairoftheInternationalChairman Davenport is a firm believerAsDavenportassumesresponsibilities, Marketing, the Industry Outreach, andinstrategyandvisionandisreadytohe would like to share his gratitude for the Domestic Marketing Committees, aslead the Potatoes USA Board by lookingtheindustry.Hesays,Everyonehas wellastheChairoftheFinanceandatboththeshort-termandlong-termalwaysbackedmeandsupportedme PolicyCommitteefortwoconsecutivegoals to continue defending the potato.and my ideas, which has helped us grow years.as a community of industry leaders. We In addition to Davenport, Potatoes USAsalllearnfromeachotherasshiftsare Davenport,afifth-generationfarmer,2022-2023 Executive Committee mem- madetoourgrowingpractices,con-started Allied Potato, Inc. 15 years ago inbers include:sumer trends evolve, and new technolo-California, and has since expanded hisgyisimplemented.Davenportfeels farmingoperationstoWashington,JeffJenningsofCamden,Norththat the level of care the farmers in the Oregon,Coloradoandinternationally.Carolina, Chair of the Finance & Policyindustrytaketokeepsurvivingthese AlliedPotatoesmajorpotatoproductsCommittee.momentsintimecreatesthestrong aregrownforthechip-stock,organic,bond we have. seed, frozen, and fresh-cut fry markets.Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North In addition to leading the Potatoes USADakota,Co-ChairoftheIndustryI am looking forward to the next 10 to Board,DavenportisinvolvedintheOutreach Committee.20 years and seeing where we go as an California Research-Advisory Board, theindustry,fromon-farmandshed NorthwestSeaportAlliancePortShelleyOlsenofOthello,Washington,automation to greener practices, it will Taskforce,theFarmBureau,WesternCo-ChairoftheIndustryOutreachbe incredible to see what we adopt in the Growers, and Life Pioneers CEO group.Committee.near and long term and Im sure it will be an interesting decade ahead of us, DavenportthoroughlyenjoysandJared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado, Co- Davenportsharedashediscusseshis appreciates the many different aspects ofChairoftheInternationalMarketingthoughts on the future. working in the potato industry and hasCommittee. lovedtheopportunitytogrowhisOutside of his profession, Davenport is involvement and witness the impact heMike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, Co- enthusiastic about mountain adventures makes,particularlywithinternationalChairoftheInternationalMarketingandfamilyexcursions.Heenjoysany endeavors. He brings his own distinctiveCommittee.chance he gets to hit the slopes and has knowledge and perspective to the tablemade a family tradition out of going to to help develop new markets, overcomeSteve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho Co- thelakeinIdahoandtakingpartin challenges with trade, and build the nec- ChairoftheDomesticMarketingwater-sport activities.essaryrelationshipsalongsideotherCommittee. prominentorganizationssuchasthe MAY/JUNE 2022 POTATO GROWER 21'