The mothers, the millennials, and the mavens. Changing our communities.
This is our seventh annual unveiling of 50 amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. Meet this West Virginia Wonder Woman, Mary Anne Ketelson, and many more that are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.
Mrs. Bee
Mary Anne Ketelsen made a spontaneous decision when she agreed to purchase the Mister Bee Potato Chip Company. After working for over 30 years in factories and holding various positions, Ketelsen felt that she was perfectly equipped to run a potato chip company. “When I came in here, I decided that it needed a lot of work. I actually went ahead and did every job in the plant so that I could figure out what the plant actually needed to succeed.” She was determined to turn the company around, and she did just that.
“When I look back at my past, I was one of the first females that went inside a production area,” she says—and that experience has meant huge impacts on her community. She is a part of the United Service Organizations, supports the Sheltered Workshop, and donates to multiple charities, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girls Night Out with the YWCA.
Ultimately, Ketelsen is a team player and brainstormed a partnership with WVU Parkersburg to grow 10 acres of potatoes that will be used to produce Mister Bee chips: West Virginians supporting West Virginians, she says.
Click here to read about our other 2020 West Virginia Wonder Women
Click here for tickets to the 2020 West Virginia Wonder Women TALKS event
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