New 2023 Board Members and Alternates

New National Peanut Board (NPB) members and alternates were appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to serve three-year terms, from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025, with the exceptions of the At-Large appointees whose terms began immediately and end Dec. 31, 2024. Greg Baltz and Allen Donner were reappointed as Arkansas member and alternate, respectively; and Clay Deane and Russ Hoggard were reappointed as Missouri member and alternate, respectively.

Mark DeLeon, Oklahoma member

DeLeon has farmed for 28 years and has grown peanuts since 2002. DeLeon is currently the chairman of the North Fork Red River Conservation District Board and also serves on the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan Committee. Additionally, DeLeon has served in multiple capacities on the Elk City Summer Youth and Recreation board for 15 years and is an active member of the Sayre Church of Christ.

“I am thankful for the progress NPB has made in addressing peanut allergies and hope to play a part in further advancements to help the peanut industry to become even more profitable in the future.”

Mark DeLeon, Oklahoma member.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Flores.

Les Crall, Oklahoma alternate

Les Crall has been peanut farming for most of his life. He previously served as NPB’s Oklahoma member, as well as our 2022 chairman. He currently serves as chairman of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission and serves on the Peanut Standards Board. Crall has been SWOSU faculty for 29 years and served as associate dean of the Everett Dobson School of Business & Technology. In 2018, he received the SWOSU Alumni Association Emeritus Award and was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2022.

“I’m excited to serve as an alternate for Oklahoma after serving as NPB chairman last year. I am looking forward to continuing to promote production research as well as allergy research.”

Lucy Shackelford, At-Large member

Previously, Shackelford served as the At-Large alternate for the Board. Shackelford and her husband, John, are the owners of Shackelford Farms, which produces runner peanuts, cotton, soybeans and occasionally rice. After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Millsaps College and Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi, Shackelford practiced law in Jackson, Mississippi. After marriage and her three children were settled in school, Shackelford became a district manager for clothing companies Carlisle and Worth NY.

“I have enjoyed meeting my fellow Board members, alternates and the staff over this past year. The marketing work the Board is doing is fascinating and I look forward to sharing a different perspective.”

Clifford Neece, At-Large alternate

Neece has farmed for 30 years and grows Valencia peanuts, corn, silage, wheat silage and hay grazer. He also raises beef cattle. Neece graduated from Portales High School in 1992 and is on the Arch Volunteer Fire Department, where he serves as assistant chief. He also runs a self-storage business in Portales.

“I’m hoping to learn about the whole industry, from breeding programs to marketing. I look forward to working to continue keeping the peanut industry vital.”

Clifford Neece, At-Large alternate.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Flores.

To learn more about our Board members and alternates, scan the QR code below.