Board of Directors

Your Co-op's Board & Staff Rep
From left to right: Steve, Erin, Kristen, Johnscott, Pat, Tom, and Marianna

Monthly Board meetings are open to all members of the co-op.
----
2 periods in each Monthly Board Meeting are devoted to member input.
(1) The first 15 minutes. Speakers are allotted 3-5 minutes each to insure time for everyone.
(2) The last item of NEW BUSINESS is for additional comment from members.
-----
Any member wishing to have the floor to SPEAK at a Board Meeting is asked to sign their name and topic ahead of time on a sheet posted on the BOARD notice area at the front of the store across from the cash registers. Those who have signed up will have priority in each member-comment period.
CONTACT the Board Directly!
  • Tom Theisen, President, tom@theisenarchitects.com
  • Steve Bluhm, Treasurer, sbluhm@wavecable.com
  • Pat Sneeringer, sneerp@verizon.net
  • Mariana Foliart, Secretary,
  • Johnscott Lee, Voting Staff Representative, Jslee@skagitfoodcoop.com
  • Kristen Ekstran, kdekstran@hotmail.com
  • Donna Hegstad, donnar@nwlink.com
  • Todd Wood, Gen Mgr, todd@skagitfoodcoop.com
blocks_image
Mariana Foliart: "My origin is in the Midwest, Kansas, to be exact, but I arrived in Mount Vernon in 1965. I have been a lifetime member of the Co-op since 1984.  . I have lived in Alaska and worked as Research Assistant for the University of Alaska, Institute of Social and Economic Research.For several years I owned and operated a small store at the Job Corps site in Sedro Woolley. Now retired, I am enjoying the various facets of being a member of the Board of Trustees and contributing to the growth and development of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op."
Steve Bluhm: "My background is 31 years in non-profit research and development. Now I’m retired, my wife and I live on Samish Island, and we do a lot of gardening --a whole lot more than I ever thought I would. I’ve found that “touching the earth” is a really beneficial experience. We moved here in 1999, became Co-op members, and I joined the Board in 2005."
Tom Theisen: "Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, raised in Great Falls, Montana, received Bachelor of Architecture from Montana State University in 1978 followed by 11 years of architectural practice in Spokane specializing in designing K-12 schools and large scale medical facilities. Moved to Mount Vernon 1989 and started Theisen Architects, a small firm of 4 which does a wide variety of projects for both the private and public sector. Lifetime member and patron of the Co-op nearly 20 years, Board member for 6+. Liking to spend more time these days in my garage, challenging my mechanical skills while tinkering with 3, vintage ragtops (2 British, 1 German) in various states of usability."

USUAL AGENDA FOR BOARD MEETINGS

1. Member Input (up to 15 minutes)
2. Review Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Old Business:
........3a. Community Relations Committee Report
........3b. Wage & Benefit Committee Report
4. New Business:
........4a. General Manager's Report
........4b. Staff Representative's Report
........4c. Other new business
5. Member Input

ANNUAL
MEETING

May 2010

Co-op Rm 309

Sept 14, 2009 NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Co-op Bylaws were changed in May of 2009 by a vote of the member-owners to expand the Board by two positions. The Bylaws require the Board to fill vacant positions by appointment until the next election, which will be at our annual meeting in May, 2010.
In response to the call for applications, five members volunteered to serve.
After a lengthy process of written questions and answers, personal interviews, and extensive deliberations, the Board concluded that all five candidates were qualified and would be strong additions to the Board. With only two positions open, the selection process was challenging.

The Board has now selected Kristen Ekstran and Donna Hegstad. Kristen and Donna will formally begin their service on the Board with the monthly meeting on September 17, 2009.