San Francisco, CA – Fresh Solutions Network announced today that Carissa Olsen was appointed President & CEO of NoKota Packers, Inc., following the retirement of Steve Tweten in December 2019. NoKota Packers, Inc. is a third-generation packer and shipper of red potatoes in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, and an exclusive supplier of Side Delights® potatoes.
Olsen assumed the role of COO in February of 2017 following six years as Director of Operations. She joined the company 15 years ago as an administrative assistant. During her career at NPI, Olsen has been active in the community with leadership roles, including church council trustee, president of daycare board, president of booster clubs, and treasurer of H509 scholarship board. Olsen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mayville State University with a B.S. in Business Education in 2003. She is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie business immersion course and the Dale Carnegie leadership for managers course.
“Having spent my entire career at this company, I am honored to move into this role of President & CEO. Starting as an Administrative Assistant and working my way through various parts of the business – food safety, HR, employee safety, grower relations, shipping and billing, and accounting have helped me immensely with the nuts and bolts of the business operations,” noted Olsen. “My father, who will retire at the end of this season, was NoKota’s first employee, so I grew up around the business, following him while he worked in the plant and touring potato fields. Pairing my experience in various roles with my knowledge of the history and current operations has prepared me thoroughly for this position.”
Mike Rerick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Steve Johnson, Sales, will continue in their current capacity with the company. “We are lucky to have them and their experience,” added Olsen. “I am thankful they will continue to fill those key roles in this transition.”
Steve Tweten commented on Olsen’s appointment, “I have watched Carissa grow up at NoKota. I am confident she will continue to be innovative with our operation while preserving NoKota’s commitment to our employees, growers, and customers.”
“We are thrilled that Carissa has accepted this role,” added Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “She will continue to lead with the same clarity of vision, mission, and purpose that has made NoKota successful over the last 40 years, while honoring the legacy of the founders and continuing it for future generations.”
For more information on NoKota Packers or Fresh Solutions Network, check out their websites at https://nokotapackers.com and https://www.freshsolutionsnet.com . While on Fresh Solutions Network, immerse yourself in the fields of one of NoKota Packers’ farm via the 360 video https://www.freshsolutionsnet.com/who-we-are/nokota-packers/ and hear what it’s like to farm the gorgeous red potatoes from one of their farmers via the interview podcast.
Fresh Solutions Network, LLC: Fresh Solutions Network is a group of family-owned growers & shippers who choose to work together to make the potato and onion industry better for everyone. FSN helps potato and onion buyers grow their categories, maximize category investment, and increase sales. We deliver competitive insights, collaborative innovation and customized assortment. Fresh Solutions Network, LLC partners are: Sterman Masser, Inc. (Masser Potato Farms and Keystone Potato Products in Sacramento and Hegins, PA), Michael Family Farms, Inc. (Urbana, OH), Basin Gold Cooperative, Inc. (Pasco, WA), Green Thumb Farms, Inc. (Fryeburg, ME), Red Isle Potato Growers, Ltd. (Prince Edward Island, Canada), NoKota Packers, Inc. (Buxton, ND), Sun-Glo of Idaho, Inc. (Sugar City, ID), and Mack Farms, Inc. (Lake Wales, FL).
