Potatoes USA Appoints 2022-2023 International Marketing Committee Co-chairs

At the organization's Annual Meeting, Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado, and Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee as International Marketing Committee Co-chairs.

Smith is in his fifth year on the board and his third year as a member of the leadership team; he previously served as Co-chair of the Research Committee. Smith also served on the Domestic Marketing and Research Committees for two years. Carter is returning to the Board for the third time after serving a six-year term from 2009 to 2015. For three years, he was Co-chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee. He was Co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee for the past two years.

Smith is a third-generation farmer and has worked in the industry for 17 years. He is part-owner of Three S Ranch, Inc., which produces russet, red, and yellow potatoes. As Co-chair, Smith is excited to learn about and help expand international market opportunities and help the industry keep fresh potato access open throughout Mexico. Smith is Blanca Potato LLC’s Chairman of the Board, and he serves on the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee. He is a 2017 graduate of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute.

Carter has been in the potato industry for the past 24 years and is the CEO and Co-owner of Bushmans’ Inc., with a focus on the fresh potato market. Carter is looking forward to further developing the excellent international marketing program and letting his fellow industry members know the impacts being made. In addition to the Potatoes USA Board, Carter is on the Board of directors for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and is a very active member of his church. Carter’s wife, Ali, writes the monthly recipe column for the Common ‘Tater magazine and has previously been a member of the WPVGA Auxiliary.

The International Marketing Committee is focused on increasing U.S. potato exports across all product types, expanding access for U.S. potatoes across the globe, and ensuring international consumers and trade members know U.S. potatoes for their quality and nutritional benefits. The committee oversees food service, retail, ingredient, consumer, market access, and seed potato export marketing programs in 25+ international markets.