Carissa wholeheartedly believes in the NoKota Packers motto – Quality, Integrity, and Service. She is passionate about implementing this motto throughout the organization and industry as a whole.
Carissa grew up in Hillsboro, ND. Her father was NoKota’s first employee, and she spent many hours tailing him while working in the plant and the potato fields. This is where her love for the industry began.
Carissa is currently the President & CEO of NoKota Packers. NoKota was founded by the Tweten & Gjelsness families in 1979. She is proud to carry on the leadership of a well-established and robust company.
Carissa has attended the PMA Leadership seminar. She serves on the Marketing and Promotion Committee for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and is a member of the Fresh Working Group through Potatoes USA. Carissa has been active in many community groups such as church council (Trustee), Dollars for Scholars (treasurer), Buxton Daycare Board (President), Girl Scout Troop Volunteer, Hillsboro Running Club member, Girls Basketball Coach, Main Discovery Daycare Board Member, Sunday School teacher. She is currently the President of the HCV Booster Club and Hillsboro Activities Booster Club. Outreach and volunteering is an additional passion for Carissa.
She graduated from Mayville State University with a Bachelors’s degree in Secondary Business Education. Carissa has participated in the Dale Carnegie leadership and management training.
Carissa has been with NoKota Packers for 15 years. Before that, she taught High School Business Education classes.
Her hobbies are reading, volunteering, working out, and attending her kid’s sporting events.
Carissa has been married to Scott for 17 years, and they have four children; Riley (15), Madison (15), Kennedy (13), and Harper (6).