DENVER — Potatoes USA, the Marketing and Promotions Board for the U.S. potato industry, concluded its 47th Annual Meeting on March 14. During this meeting, a new Board Chairman and Executive Committee were elected to lead the industry for the coming year.
Phil Hickman of Horntown, Virginia will serve a one-year term as Chairman, making him the board’s first Chairman from Virginia. Hickman brings vast experience to the Chairman role by actively serving on the Potatoes USA board for 11 years and farming since 1974, when he and his brother began Dublin Farms at the ages 20 and 22, respectively. Hickman grew up farming on property that has been in his family for over 100 years and has harvested potatoes on different portions of the land every year.
“My experience working on a small farm gives me the ability to work well with each region. This is going to be valuable as I work to get each region to work together on the common goal of building demand for U.S. potatoes,” said Hickman.
The majority of the Potatoes USA Executive Committee remains the same as the previous year. Appointed Executive Committee members are:
- Jason Davenport of Arvin, California was re-elected to Chair the Finance and Policy Committee
- Marty Myers of Boardman, Oregon and Steve Streich of Kalispell, Montana were re-elected to Co-Chair the International Marketing Committee
- Sheldon Rockey of Center, Colorado and Heidi Alsum-Randall of Friesland, Wisconsin were re-elected to Co-Chair the Industry Outreach Committee
- Jaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho was re-elected and Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho was elected to Co-Chair the Domestic Marketing Committee
- Chris Hansen of Bliss, New York and Eric Schroeder of Antigo, Wisconsin were re-elected to Co-Chair the Research Committee
In Hickman’s acceptance speech, he thanked outgoing Chairman, Dan Moss of Declo, Idaho, for his tremendous leadership in the potato industry. He hopes to continue what Moss has done best – keeping everyone in the industry focused in the same direction. Hickman mentioned one area of focus will be to increase retail sales. Lastly, he conveyed that Potatoes USA works to grow the entire U.S. potato industry.
“The fact that I’m Chairman shows Potatoes USA is for every farm, no matter the size or focus. The organization works to help all aspects of the industry and that’s something we need to remember as we continue to move forward,” Hickman concluded.
Hickman is a graduate of Virginia Tech and his passion outside of potatoes is Virginia Tech football.
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About Potatoes USA
Potatoes USA is the marketing organization for the 2,500 commercial potato growers operating in the United States. Potatoes USA, was established in 1971 by a group of potato growers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes. Today, as the largest vegetable commodity board, Potatoes USA is proud to be recognized as an innovator in the produce industry. For more information on Potatoes USA’s mission to “Strengthen Demand for U.S. Potatoes” by creating positive change in the industry through innovative and inspiring approaches, please visit PotatoesUSA.com.
