Rex Calloway elected Potato Commission chair

MOSES LAKE — Rex Calloway, Quincy, was elected as the new chair of the Washington State Potato Commission’s executive committee. He was elected during the commission’s annual meeting last week.

Calloway will begin his term July 1. He serves a one-year term.

Stacy Kniveton, Pasco, was elected as first vice-chair of the WSPC. Roger Hawley, Burlington, was elected second-vice chair, and Mike Madsen, Plymouth, was elected secretary. Derek Davenport, Pasco, is the treasurer, and Mike Dodds, Moses Lake, stays on the board as past chair.

Commissioners recognized the service of retiring commissioners Nelson Cox, Warden, and Darrin Morrison, Mt. Vernon. Cox was a commissioner for eight years, Morrison for 12 years. Both are past commission chairs.

The potato commission is governed by 15 commissioners, including nine elected by potato growers. Five are appointed by the commissioners, and one is a representative of the Washington Department of Agriculture. The commissioners elect a new chair and executive committee every year.

Calloway said it’s important for the commission and its employees to “continue to take a proactive role on key issues that impact our industry,” and said he’s ready to continue building on the work of previous commissioners. “We want to do what we can as a commission to continue to serve the industry and help growers throughout the state focus on producing and marketing their crops.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.