The Prince Edward Island Potato Board elected a new executive team at the November 19, 2025 board of directors meeting.
Katie MacLennan will be the new board chair. MacLennan has served on the board for three years as the seed sector representative. In assuming the chair position, she becomes the first female chairperson of the PEI Potato Board. MacLennan farms with her husband Jonathan and operates MacLennan Properties Ltd in West Cape.
Shawn Birch was elected as the new vice chair. Birch is in his third year on the board from the processing sector and farms with his brother Cory and father Melvin at Birch Farms Ltd in North Bedeque. Randy Visser remains the secretary-treasurer, his second year in the role. Visser and his partners operate G. Visser & Sons in Orwell.
The board welcomes new directors, including Marijke Oudshoorn from Spud Isle Farms Ltd in Morell, where she farms with her husband Will. Also, Pat Clarkin who joins as the seed representative. Clarkin farms with his son, Brodie at Clarkin Farms Seed Potatoes in Emyvale, PEI.
© PEI Potato Board
Katie MacLennan
The remaining board members include Rit VanNieuwenhuyzen, Guy Cudmore, Andrew Nieuhof, Ian Shaw, Dianne Huestis and Chris Rennie. Rylan MacLellan remains on as the Young Farmer's representative.
The PEI Potato Board recognizes and thanks outgoing directors John Griffin, Becky Townshend and retiring chair, Donald Stavert, for their significant contribution to the industry during their terms.
The PEI Potato Board comprises 12 directors elected by their peers to serve a three-year term. The Island is divided into 3 districts: Western, Central and Eastern. There are three directors per district and three At Large; one representing each of the three sectors of the industry: Seed, Table and Processing.
The directors are all registered growers and serve staggered terms so that as one term expires, one new director is elected from each district. This helps to maintain continuity in board operations from year to year. Board directors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
For more information:
Kendra Mills
Prince Edward Island Potato Board
Tel: +1 (902) 892-6551
[email protected]
www.peipotato.org
