Potatoes USA elects 2022-23 leadership

Denver-based Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion board for the potato industry, elected new leadership during its annual meeting on March 9.

The newly elected chairman and executive committee will lead the Board through 2022-23, according to a news release.

Jason Davenport of Bakersfield, Calif., was elected as chairman of the board.

This marks Davenport’s sixth year on the board and as a member of the executive committee, according to the release. He has served as the co-chair of the International Marketing, the Industry Outreach, and the Domestic Marketing Committees, as well as the chair of the Finance and Policy Committee for two consecutive years.

Davenport, a fifth-generation farmer, started Allied Potato, Inc. 15 years ago in California, and has since expanded his farming operations to Washington, Oregon, Colorado and internationally, the release said. 

Allied Potatoes’ major potato products are grown for the chip-stock, organic, seed, frozen, and fresh-cut fry markets. In addition to leading the Potatoes USA Board, Davenport is involved in the California Research-Advisory Board, the Northwest Seaport Alliance Port Taskforce, the Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and Life Pioneer’s CEO group, the release said.

“I am committed to driving forward the common goal and interest we all have for this industry - to grow the best potato for the world to enjoy and make sure people know potatoes are one of the most important staple foods,” Davenport said in the release.

In addition to Davenport, Potatoes USA’s 2022-2023 Executive Committee members include:

• Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, Chair of the Finance & Policy Committee
• Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Co-Chair of the Industry Outreach Committee
• Shelley Olsen of Othello, Washington, Co-Chair of the Industry Outreach Committee
• Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado, Co-Chair of the International Marketing Committee
• Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, Co-Chair of the International Marketing Committee
• Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho Co-Chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee
• Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington, Co-Chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee
• Mike Larsen of Declo, Idaho, Co-Chair of the Research Committee
• Jennifer Gogan of Houlton, Maine, Co-Chair of the Research Committee
•  Jaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho, Past Chair