Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Charles Gunnerson to the Area One Potato Research and Promotion Council.  

Gunnerson, of Ada, owns and operates the Ada Produce Co, a family-owned potato washing and packaging facility in Norman County.  He has been active in the potato industry for over 30 years, and has served as Chairman of the Area One Potato Council for 12 years.  Gunnerson serves on the Executive Committee of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association.  He was Chairman of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association from 1993 to 1994. 

Gunnerson previously served on the National Potato Promotion Board as an appointee of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.  He also served as President of the National Potato Council from 1999 to 2000 and the Vice President for five years.  Gunnerson is appointed to the Council position for a potato wash plant representative and will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  He was first appointed to the Council in 1987. 

The Area One Potato Research and Promotion Council supports the Minnesota potato industry by providing grants for research and advertising.  Area One consists of fourteen counties in Northwest Minnesota, including the counties of: Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Beltrami, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake, Clearwater, Norman, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, and Wilkin.  The Council consists of seven members, including two appointed by the Governor.