Kelley receives potato honor

By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
    MARS HILL — Haley Kelley, who serves as the director of marketing for Pineland Farms Potato Co./Naturally Potatoes in Mars Hill, is being recognized by Progressive Grocer as one of the Top Women in Grocery for 2012.
    The monthly trade publication’s annual awards program recognizes the integral role women play across all areas of the retail food industry and honors women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, wielded substantial influence in their companies and in the industry at large, and been deeply involved in their communities and related philanthropic activities.
    Kelley, who has been with Naturally Potatoes for eight years, was nominated for the award by Chief Executive Officer William Haggett.
Haley Kelley
    “Haley’s success with Naturally Potatoes has been extraordinary as is her drive to achieve and to deliver the highest quality products to our customers,” he said. “Her leadership, efficiency and passion for the business serves our mission and is leading Naturally Potatoes to new heights.
    “Her position requires her to interact directly with product development, packaging design, customer development of new products, pricing and all aspects of customer service,” said Haggett. “This past year, she secured several large national chain accounts and continues to increase sales on these accounts, thanks to her efficiency and timeliness in responding to retailer requests. Haley is also diligent about keeping her department within budget and delivering high-quality products to Pineland’s customers.”
    Kelley said she was “very surprised and honored” to find out she had been nominated.
    “I found out I was chosen for the award a couple of months ago, and I was quite shocked,” she said. “It means a lot to be recognized in this way … especially in northern Maine. It means a lot to me and to our company to help promote Naturally Potatoes and the Pineland Farms name by getting our name out into the retail and food service categories that we’re continually trying to grow and expand upon nationwide.
    “Hopefully with this award my recognition will get out to many of our customers that we’re targeting to expand our business even more,” said Kelley, “so we can create more jobs in this area and provide a top quality product to our customers and consumers.”
    Kelley, who grew up in Westfield, graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2000 and Husson College in Bangor with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
    When she’s not working at Naturally Potatoes, Kelley can be found coaching for the Northern Maine Figure Skating Club.
    “I’ve been involved with the club since I was 4,” she said. “I skated in New England, Ohio and Boston throughout the summers when ice wasn’t available here, and I started coaching when I was 16 and continue to do so. At one time I was the director of the club, but now I just coach. There are about 80 members in the club, so it keeps me pretty busy.”
    Kelley and her husband, Mark, reside in Mapleton and are expecting their first child in October. They also co-own Country Farms Market in Easton and Washburn.
    Progressive Grocer will hold an awards gala Nov. 8 in Chicago.