Thirty producer members and two importers were recently sworn in to serve on the Potatoes USA board of directors during the organization’s annual meeting.
The USDA appointed 16 new members and reappointed 16 members to the board to serve three-year terms, expiring Feb. 28, 2026, according to a news release. The March 14 swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Alex Caryl, branch chief of the Market Development Division of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crops Program.
As part of the annual board nomination process, candidates are proposed by the industry and are appointed by the agriculture secretary after a review. The 2023 Potatoes USA board comprises 93 members, with representation from growers, importers and one public member, reflecting the organization’s commitment to a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience in the industry, according to the release.
The Potatoes USA board of directors guides the organization’s efforts to promote and support the potato industry. The board is tasked with setting strategic goals and objectives and allocating resources to various initiatives such as marketing, research and education, while monitoring the performance of these programs, according to the release.
New members joining the Potatoes USA board are:
- Jim Corneillie, Arizona.
- Trever Belnap, Idaho.
- Ben Josephson, Idaho.
- David Mundt, Idaho.
- Jeff Irving, Maine.
- Eric Makarewicz, Michigan.
- Sander Dagen, Minnesota.
- Tom Nilson, North Dakota.
- Dave Masser, Pennsylvania.
- Rhonda Kleyn, Washington.
- Blake Underwood, Washington.
- Levi Underwood, Washington.
- Jake Wardenaar, Washington.
- Charlie Husnick, Wisconsin.
- John D. Schroeder, Wisconsin.
- Aron Derbidge, importer member.
Reappointed board members include:
- Kamren Koompin, Idaho.
- Ryan Moss, Idaho.
- Andrew Porath, Idaho.
- Justin Searle, Idaho.
- Jennifer Gogan, Maine.
- David Fedje, North Dakota.
- Casey Folson, Minnesota.
- Jess Blatchford, Oregon.
- Troy Sorensen, Nebraska.
- Steve Barrett, Texas.
- Juan Martinez, Washington.
- Dennis Wright, Washington.
- Michael Carter, Wisconsin.
- Josh Knights, Wisconsin.
- Kevin Schleicher, Wisconsin.
- Kathy DeVries-Ruehs, importer member.
