Announcements of committee chairs complete Potatoes USA board

Potatoes USA’s 2026–2027 board of directors is complete, with chairs of committees including production and market development joining new board chair Dave Masser in leadership roles.

Masser, of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, succeeds Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, who will continue serving on the Executive Committee as immediate past chair.

The 2026–2027 PUSA board also includes:

• James Baker of Moses Lake, Washington, co-chair, Production Research Committee
• Thomas Baker of Bakersfield, California, chair, Finance & Policy Committee
• Trever Belnap of Hamer, Idaho, chair, Market Development Consumer Committee
• Wendy Dykstra of Rio, Wisconsin, chair, Market Development Retail Committee
• Hunter Gibbs of Washington, North Carolina, chair, Nutrition and Health Committee
• Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, chair, Communications Committee
• Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington, chair, Culinary Committee
• Cliff Shaw of Monte Vista, Colorado, chair, Market Development Foodservice Committee
• Jordan Thomas of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, co-chair, Production Research Committee

“Our industry has built a strong foundation, and I’m honored to serve as chairman as we continue that momentum,” Masser said in a statement. “By working together, we can continue to strengthen demand for potatoes, invest in innovation, and ensure our industry is well-positioned to meet the opportunities ahead domestically and abroad. I’m excited to work alongside this outstanding board as we continue building on the success of those who came before us.”

The Potatoes USA Board includes potato growers and importers nominated by their respective state or industry organizations and appointed by the U.S.