Potatoes USA, the national marketing, research, and promotion board for the potato sector, has appointed Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, as Chair of the Board during its annual assembly. Elfering, CEO of 1,4GROUP, Inc., brings more than 30 years of industry experience, covering fresh potato cultivation, marketing, and research. He has previously chaired the organization's Communications Committee.
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"It's an honor to be elected to lead this group where we all have such a clear sense of why we do this work," Elfering stated. He underscored the importance of continued education around potato nutrition and the need for strategic responses to global market pressures. With 80% of 1,4GROUP's operations based internationally, Elfering brings a global perspective to his leadership role.
The Executive Committee for Potatoes USA for 2025–2026 includes Hunter Gibbs of Washington, North Carolina, as Chair of the Market Development Consumer Committee; Kathy Sponheim of Urbana, Ohio, as Chair of the Nutrition and Health Committee; Nathan Bender of Bakersfield, California, and Jess Blatchford of Baker City, Oregon, as Co-Chairs of the Production Research Committee; and Trever Belnap of Hamer, Idaho, as Chair of the Communications Committee.
Other members include Dave Masser of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, as Chair of the Market Development Retail Committee; Wendy Dykstra of Rio, Wisconsin, as Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee; Cliff Shaw of Monte Vista, Colorado, as Chair of the Culinary Committee; and Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington, as Chair of the Market Development Foodservice Committee. Shelley Olsen of Othello, Washington, will serve as Immediate Past Chair.
Elfering expressed confidence in the committee's capacity to deliver results, stating, "I have full confidence that this executive committee is going to make a notable impact in the year ahead, along with all the Potatoes USA board members."
Source: Potatoes USA