Potatoes USA Elects Shelley R. Olsen as Board Chair

At its annual meeting, Potatoes USA recently chose Shelley R. Olsen to serve as Chair of the Board. Additionally, Potatoes USA revealed the members of its Executive Committee, who will steer the group until 2024–2025.
Olsen, an Othello, Washington resident, has been a member of Potatoes USA’s board of directors for seven years, and she has been on the executive committee for four. She has previously served as co-chair of the committees for international marketing and industry outreach on the board.
“It’s such an honor for my peers to believe in me and to be able to walk in the steps of some of the great people who have led our industry for decades. I’m looking forward to sharing the message across our industry about the work that Potatoes USA is doing,” Olsen said.
The Potatoes USA board’s simplification is one of the initiatives Olsen is most enthusiastic about.
“It’s great to see the Potatoes USA board evolve to become more dynamic. Every board member now has a seat on a committee and an opportunity to be involved. I’ve loved seeing how much board members are buying into this new approach. I’m also really excited about some of the innovative initiatives at Potatoes USA, like using artificial intelligence to support reputation management and the Culinary Medicine Program, which helps people learn about how high-quality food can be part of a healthy lifestyle,” she added.
Apart from her engagement with Potatoes USA, Olsen is a member of the Marketing and Industry Affairs Committee of the Washington State Potato Commission. She was also the chair of the Potato LEAF board for a period. She also graduated from the Potato Industry Leadership Institute in 2015.
Three generations of family members work together at Olsen’s family-owned businesses: her husband Chris, who once served on the Potatoes USA board; her in-laws, Lynn and Marthann; her two sons, Owen and Connor; and Connor’s wife, Kaitlyn. Their main goal is to raise potatoes for processing into frozen food.
“It’s a unique opportunity to work with my family every day, and I love watching my adult children have great new ideas they go out and implement. We’re also overjoyed to welcome our first fourth-generation family member,” Olsen also mentioned.
In addition to Olsen, Potatoes USA’s 2024-2025 Executive Committee members include: Wendy Dykstra of Friesland, Wisconsin, Chair of the Finance & Policy Committee; Trever Belnap of Hamer, Idaho, Co-Chair of the Production Research Committee; Dave Masser of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, Co-Chair of the Production Research Committee; Ed Staunton of Tulelake, California, Chair of the Culinary Committee; Steve Elfering of Meridian, Idaho, Chair of the Communications Committee; Hunter Gibbs of Swan Quarter, North Carolina, Chair of the Nutrition and Health Committee; Les Alderete of Monte Vista, Colorado, Chair of the Market Development: Consumer Committee; Dennis Wright of Kennewick, Washington, Chair of the Market Development: Foodservice Committee; Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Chair of the Market Development: Retail Committee; Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, Immediate Past Chair.