Our people

The National Peanut Board is a farmer-funded national research, promotion and education group in support of all things peanuts. Each of the 11 major peanut-producing American states is represented by a board member and an alternate. One at-large board member and alternate represent all minor peanut-producing states. Click on any of the faces below to meet the U.S. peanut farmers who currently volunteer to serve on the National Peanut Board.

12 profiles

Casey Cox Kerr, Board Chair
ProfileCasey Cox Kerr, GeorgiaCasey Cox Kerr is the 2025 chair of the board, and president and CEO of Longleaf Ridge Farms.
Clay Deane
ProfileClay Deane, MissouriDeane operates Triple D Farms in partnership with his cousins. In addition to peanuts, he grows corn, soybeans and cotton.
Cliff Neece, New Mexico
ProfileCliff Neece, At-LargeCliff Neece is a dedicated peanut grower from Portales, New Mexico, where he is a vital part of the state’s farming community.
Greg Baltz
ProfileGregory Baltz, ArkansasGreg Baltz operates Running Lake Farms and has been growing peanuts for 11 years.
Jeff Roper, Board Treasurer
ProfileJeff Roper, TexasJeff Roper is the 2025 treasurer of the board. Roper owns and operates Jeffery Roper Farms.
Lonnie Fortner
ProfileLonnie Fortner, MississippiFortner has been a farmer for 24 years and is the managing partner for Bayou Pierre Farms where he grows peanuts, cotton, soybeans and corn.
Mark DeLeon
ProfileMark DeLeon, OklahomaMark DeLeon has been growing peanuts since 2002. With the help of his son, he also grows cotton and runs a cow-calf operation.
Neal Baxley, Board Vice Chairman
ProfileNeal Baxley, South CarolinaNeal Baxley is the 2025 vice chairman of the board. He owns and operates Baxley Farms, LLC, along with his father and brother.
Perry "Lance" Jackson
ProfilePerry "Lance" Jackson, FloridaPerry “Lance” Jackson is a dedicated peanut grower from Graceville, Florida, where he's a respected figure in the peanut industry.
Raymond Garner Jr.
ProfileRaymond Garner Jr., North CarolinaGarner is a fifth-generation farmer in Halifax County and has experience growing peanuts, cotton, soybeans and wheat.
Thomas Adams, Board Secretary
ProfileThomas Adams, AlabamaThomas Adams is the 2025 secretary of the board. Adams is a third-generation peanut grower from Newville, Alabama.
Westley Drake
ProfileWestley Drake, VirginiaWestley Drake is a proud 14th-generation farmer carrying on his family’s agricultural legacy at Sandy Ridge Farms, Inc., in Newsoms, VA.