A Fresh Chapter for American Peanuts
Recently in Washington, D.C., a group of peanut growers gathered with an eye on both tradition and tomorrow. The National Peanut Board held its December meeting, setting new leadership and approving a fresh look for the future.
The Board elected its officers for the coming year. Neal Baxley of South Carolina will serve as chair, joined by vice chairman Jeff Roper of Texas, treasurer Thomas Adams of Alabama and secretary Westley Drake of Virginia. Each brings prior leadership experience to the role. Their terms begin January 1, 2026. Outgoing chair Casey Cox Kerr will continue representing Georgia on the Board through 2027.
“I am deeply honored to serve as chair of the National Peanut Board,” Baxley said. “It is a time of change across the peanut industry, and with a new brand for peanuts on the horizon, the energy is high.”
The Board also approved a new logo that will debut with a national brand launch in 2026. The design is intended to support clearer storytelling and a more unified identity.
The Board will meet again March 2 through 4 in Atlanta.
