PRESQUE ISLE – Michael Corey, executive director of the Maine Potato Board for the past 41/2 years, unexpectedly resigned Tuesday morning.

Corey gave no reasons for his action.

“There comes a time when I need to look at other things and the board needs to look at new leadership,” Corey said Thursday morning when contacted at his home in Easton.

“No decision is made on the spot,” he said. “But it was a surprise to a lot of people.”

Corey said he has enjoyed the last 101/2 years with the board. Corey was a potato farmer for 20 years in Easton before becoming assistant executive director of the potato board in January 1991. He held that post until March 1997, when he became executive director.

The Maine Potato Board met for its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon at which time it was announced by board president Tom Qualey that Don Flannery, the board’s assistant executive director, will take over the director’s job on a temporary basis. Flannery will take over the job while a search gets under way for Corey’s replacement.

Reflecting on his time with the potato board, Corey said there have been very productive changes in the industry and the board’s role in the past decade.

“The quality and consistency of Maine potatoes has placed Maine in a position where other areas are looking at our programs,” he said in a prepared statement.

“The Potato Market Improvement Fund and anti-bruise program have been very positive for the Maine industry,” said Corey, adding that plans by potato processors McCain Foods and Lamb Weston to expand in the region have brought a lot of attention to Maine and Maine potato farmers.

He also pointed to the board’s efforts in 1998 to save the Agricultural Research Station’s Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory in Orono from closure was a major accomplishment. There are now more than 30 researchers and staff working at the lab, he said.

Corey said he has no plans for the future.

“I hope to stay in the area and do something in business or government,” he said Thursday. “I don’t want to change what I’ve been doing, just change the direction a bit.”