Feb 27, 2018Northern Plains Potato Growers Association president to retire
Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) President Chuck Gunnerson is set to retire. The announcement was made at the Feb. 20, NPPGA Annual Meeting in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Eric Halverson, incoming NPPGA board chairman, indicated that Gunnerson would continue in his role as president until the board has found a suitable replacement.
Gunnerson farmed and operated the Ada Produce Company, a red potato packaging facility in Ada, Minnesota, until 2004 when he decided to pursue an early retirement. His love of the industry brought him back to lead the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association when he assumed the role of interim president in October 2008 and became president on July 1, 2009. After 40 years in the potato industry he looks forward to retirement and spending time with his family, Gunnerson said.
Gunnerson is a past chairman of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association (currently NPPGA). He also served as president of the National Potato Council (NPC) in 2000 and as chairman of the Minnesota Area One Potato Council for 20 years. He was chairman of the Northern Crops Council in 1998-1999 and has served in various capacities on several agricultural commodity boards.
Gunnerson has received numerous honors including the “RRVPGA Meritorious Service Award” in 1997, the NPC “Golden Potato Award” in 2004, the NPC “Presidents Award” in 2012; and the “Distinguished Service to The Minnesota Potato Industry Award” in 2017.
The NPPGA president position, based in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, is primarily responsible for representing the interests of NPPGA’s members to provide industry leadership and manage association business to fulfill its mission. Interested applicants can learn more information at www.nppga.org, or apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to [email protected].
