On March 17, at Potatoes USA's 44th Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, Mike Pink of Mesa, WA, was elected Chairman of Potatoes USA. Pink is serving his fifth year on the Board. In 2014-2015, he served as Co-Chairman of the Board’s International Marketing Committee. He previously served three years on the International Marketing Administrative Committee.
Pink Farms has been a part of the Washington potato industry for the past 26 years. A frozen/process grower, Mike grows Ranger, Umatilla and Alturas Russet varieties.
Potatoes USA Immediate Past Chairman Carl Hoverson of Larimore, ND, passed the gavel on to Mike Pink of Mesa, WA, the Board’s newly appointed Chairman of the Board for 2016-2017.
Carl Hoverson reflected on serving as Potatoes USA Chairman:
“This past year has been a great experience.”
“Rolling out a new strategic plan for the Board, creating a new business name, and identifying a new mission for our organization are some of the important highlights we can all be proud and thankful for.”
He challenged the industry to focus more on maintaining good taste and flavors in new potato varieties, and not be so quick to select potatoes based on appearances.
Jason Davenport was also elected on March 17, and will be serving his first year on the Board as Co-Chairman of the Domestic Marketing Committee.
Davenport is originally from Idaho and has grown potatoes for nearly nine years for Allied Potato, Inc. This farm organization operates in California, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. Potatoes are grown for the chip-stock, organic, seed and table-stock markets. Some of Allied Potato’s major varieties are Atlantic, Snowden, Chipeta, NY115, Lamoka, Frito-Lay varieties, Agata, Parella, and Colorado Rose.
Chris Wada of Pingree, ID, was re-elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee. He will be serving his fifth year on the Board and his third year on its Executive Committee. In 2012 and 2013, he served on the Board Administrative Committee as a member of its Domestic Marketing Committee.
His current role is market research and strategy. “My duties include a wide variety of things with a focus on strategic planning, business development, product marketing and communications,” he said.
Based in Idaho, the Wada family has been growing Idaho Russet potatoes since 1943. Today, their family of farms also grows reds, golds and smalls varieties across the country. Wada Farms is primarily a fresh table-stock producer.
