Potatoes USA at its recent annual meeting elected Steve Elfering of Boise, Idaho, as board chair.

The national marketing, research and promotion board for the potato industry also announced other members of its executive committee for 2025-26.

Elfering is CEO of 1,4Group Inc., a supplier of dormancy and sprout inhibiting products for the potato storage industry, according to the company’s website. The company works with university researchers and industry to develop new and improved post-harvest chemical applications.

Elfering has a wide range of experience across his more than three decades in the industry, from growing and marketing fresh potatoes to research and serving as a supplier, according to a Potatoes USA news release.

He has been involved in Potatoes USA for 14 years, including most recently chairing the communications committee.

“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 said. “We have passion for the product itself, passion for strengthening demand for this fantastic, versatile food, and passion for bringing together the deep expertise of people who make this an amazing industry.”

He aims to continue building on the work that has been done at Potatoes USA while also keeping an eye toward changes in the international market, according to the release. About 80% of 1,4Group’s business is international.

“We’re on such a good path,” Elfering said, referring to Potatoes USA. “Continuing to educate people about potato nutrition is key, and grower outreach and communication back to the industry is key. I also want to look at the impact that competition is having in international markets and make sure we have the best possible strategy in place for U.S. potatoes.”

Industry members come together through the organization, an important strength, he said.

“Those involved in Potatoes USA are competitors to some degree, but when we’re here, we’re walking hand-in-hand to support the industry as a whole and implement programs that make things better for all of us,” Elfering said.

“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,” he said.

Potatoes USA 2025-2026 Executive Committee

Steve Elfering, Boise, Idaho, board chair

Shelley Olsen, Othello, Wash., immediate past chair

Hunter Gibbs, Washington, N.C., chair, market development consumer committee

Kathy Sponheim, Urbana, Ohio, chair, nutrition and health committee

Nathan Bender, Bakersfield, Calif., co-chair, production research committee

Trevor Belnap, Hamer, Idaho, chair, communications committee

Dave Masser, Sacramento, Pa., chair, market development retail committee

Jess Blatchford, Baker City, Ore., co-chair, production research committee

Wendy Dykstra, Rio, Wis., chair, finance and policy committee

Cliff Shaw, Monte Vista, Colo., chair, culinary committee

Travis Meacham, Moses Lake, Wash., chair, market development foodservice committee