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1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
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1988 Promoted to distribution supervisor for Amoco Oil Corporation
1988 Graduated from Glenville State College
1992 Started work at Solvay Advanced Polymers
2004 Named general manager of Welch Oil & Gas
2014 Sold Welch Oil & Gas
2015 Became majority owner of WV Potato Chip Company
2018 Started Hunger Fund at PACF
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majority owner of the West Virginia Potato Chip Company — formerly Mister Bee Potato Chip Company — in 2015 . In this position , she committed to maintaining and preserving the integrity of a company that many West Virginians remember fondly , expanding from 15 to 47 employees and becoming certified as a kosher , Good Manufacturing Practices and woman-owned small business .
“ Since 2015 , I have made significant investments and worked hard to continue the very special West Virginia brand that most identify with childhood memories ,” she says . “ Keeping a tradition that means so much to so many and meeting the needs of the next generation of Mister Bee consumers has been a joy and a challenge .”
Ketelsen ’ s mother , Mickey , who served as principal owner of Welch Oil & Gas and had a long history of philanthropic endeavors , was a major source of inspiration and a great role model for her daughter .
“ The 10 years I worked with Mickey Welch as not just my parent but as my direct supervisor were amazing , and I valued learning and seeing the business world through her lens as an early pioneer for all women in business ,” says Ketelsen . “ My mother has since passed away , but I continue to make philanthropic contributions to many of the organizations she was a passionate supporter of .”
These organizations include YWCA Charleston , Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Club .
She is also passionate about giving back to her hometown of Parkersburg . She is an avid supporter of SW Resources , a business where every dollar made is invested back into the lives of people with disabilities .
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The West Virginia Potato Chip Company currently employees two people supported by this organization . Ketelsen has also helped WVU Parkersburg fund Riverhawk Farm , where potatoes are produced at least once per year for Mister Bee , and she aids the Parkersburg High School Athletics Department and VFW Post 1212 . In 2018 , she and her mother started the Hunger Fund at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation , where she continues to give to the food pantry and started serving on the board this year .
Another passion she shared with her mother , Ketelsen is driven to help those who serve in the military . One of her favorite organizations to contribute to is the United Service Organizations ( USO ) to support active-duty service members and military families . Last year , the West Virginia Potato Chip Company designed a special chip bag to salute military personnel and veterans and donated 10 % of proceeds to the USO , which Ketelsen and her husband personally matched .
“ The Welch family continues to make a commitment to help where we can for our fellow West Virginians , be it combatting childhood hunger , supporting education , supporting military families or helping as we see fit in situations like natural disasters ,” she says .
Ketelsen is passionate about West Virginia and supporting and representing the people who live and work here .
“ This is home , and although I have had opportunities to live and work elsewhere , the greatest people in my life are in West Virginia ,” she says . “ I work every day to make Mister Bee a national brand proudly manufactured here .” •
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