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On July 10, 2025, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to numerous boards and commissions. Among them is the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. The appointments include:
- Kali Bagley, of Waterford, is a general manager at Downey’s Potato Chips. Bagley previously worked as a partner in training at Finn Partners. Bagley holds a bachelor's in communications and advertising from Michigan State University. Bagley is appointed to represent retailers for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028. Bagley succeeds Philip Gusmano, whose term has expired.
- Travis Horkey, of Dundee, is a partner at Horkey Brother Farms. Horkey holds a bachelor's in agriculture from Michigan State University. Horkey is reappointed to represent the fresh potato industry for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028.
- Chase Young, of Howard City, is a partner at Sandyland Farms. Young is appointed to represent the fresh potato industry for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028. Young succeeds Ryan Norton, whose term has expired.
- Ryan Pelletier, of McMillan, is a farm manager at Walther Farms. Previously, Pelletier worked as a safety officer and quality control manager at K&K Industries. Pelletier holds a bachelor's in science in crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University. Pelletier is reappointed to represent the seed potato industry for a term commencing on July 10, 2025, and expiring on July 1, 2028.
- Ryan Norton, of Vicksburg, is a farm manager at Walther Farms. Prior to this role, Norton was a shop manager at Collision Craft Auto Body. Norton holds a bachelor's in engineering and applied sciences from Western Michigan University. Norton is appointed to represent the fresh potato industry for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028. Norton succeeds Jonathon Yoder, whose term has expired.
- Michael Phillips, of Portage, is a supply manager at Walther Farms. Phillips holds a bachelor's in business administration in supply chain management from Western Michigan University. Phillips is reappointed to represent the snack potato industry for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028.
- John Makarewicz, of Elmira, is a partner at Marker Farms. John Makarewicz is appointed to represent the seed potato industry for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028. Makarewicz succeeds Mathew Skogman, whose term has expired.
- Ryan Johnson, of Tustin, is the owner of A.L. Johnson and Sons, a potato packing facility. Johnson holds a bachelor's in business administration from Saginaw Valley State University. Johnson is reappointed to represent shippers for a term commencing July 10, 2025, and expiring July 1, 2028.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) was created to foster and promote an economically viable potato industry in Michigan by providing responsible leadership for the industry. The Commission provides leadership in disseminating information to foster the growth and well-being of the potato industry, all the while representing the interests of the industry at state, national, and international levels.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.