Potatoes USA Announces 2026–2027 Board Leadership

DENVER (July 29, 2026) — Potatoes USA has announced its 2026–2027 Board leadership following the organization’s Summer Board Meeting. The newly elected Chairman and committee leadership will help guide Potatoes USA’s strategic efforts to strengthen demand for potatoes through marketing, research, nutrition, culinary, communications and market development initiatives.

Leading the Board for the year is David Masser of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, who was elected Chairman. Masser succeeds Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, who will continue serving on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.

The 2026–2027 Board leadership includes:

• David Masser of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, Chairman
• 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
• Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, Immediate Past Chair

“Our industry has built a strong foundation, and I’m honored to serve as Chairman as we continue that momentum,” said David Masser, Chairman of Potatoes USA. “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.”

Committee chairs work closely with Potatoes USA staff and fellow Board members to oversee programs in their respective focus areas, helping ensure the organization’s investments align with industry priorities and deliver measurable value to the U.S. potato industry.

The Potatoes USA Board is composed of potato growers and importers nominated by their respective state or industry organizations and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Board oversees national marketing, research and promotion programs funded through grower assessments to increase demand for potatoes and potato products.