There are two positions open on the Board of Trustees, and one opening for the Voting Staff Representative. Two incumbent Board members are running for the two open board seats, and four employees are running for the Voting Staff position.

Candidates were asked to address questions regarding their desire to serve, the Co-op’s connection to community, challenges facing the Co-op, the Board’s role in addressing those challenges, and skill and experience they would bring to the position. All terms are for three years. Active member-owners may vote for two Board of Trustee candidates, and one Voting Staff Representative.

Incumbent Candidate: Kristen Ekstran

What a term! The start of my term saw the retirement of our long-time General Manager (GM) Todd Wood, the recruitment process for a new manager, and the onboarding of new GM, Tony White. Then before we could hit our stride, COVID struck.

Despite complicated, changing circumstances, Tony and the Board dug in to keep the Co-op moving forward by supporting staff and taking care of our customers. We took risks to spend on updated equipment, remodeling and improving our facilities when there was time and space to do so. I’m in awe of our General Manager, staff, and owner-members who pulled together during such unprecedented challenges.

During the pandemic we’ve also spent time refining our governance methods. Right before the arrival of a new GM, we shifted to a new form of leadership that allows us to review and evaluate a wide variety of management policies annually. We have worked hard to standardize and improve our policies and oversight, as well as learn the techniques for this style of board governance. This is a key means of holding our General Manager accountable to the outcomes defined in our policies. Related to this, we’ve also strengthened our committee structures. We’ve given more time and attention to board development, strategic planning, and community engagement.

I’m excited about our possibilities as we come out of the pandemic. The current board has lots of energy, motivation, and growing expertise in Co-op management and policy governance. As we look forward to celebrating our 50th year, I’m appreciative of the special role the Co-op plays for community members. We can hold on to our history while exploring new directions. I want to continue to serve this board, our GM, staff and owner-members.

Rob Smith

Incumbent Candidate: Rob Smith

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op is a special place. It serves as a vital nexus for member-owners and customers, our local farmers and food producers, and the Skagit Valley community at large. Our Co-op is both a reflection of our exceptional community, as well as a catalyst for change in forging a cooperative and people-centered local economy. Serving on the Board of Directors for the past six years has allowed me to engage on a deeper level with our cherished Co-op and to give back to this community I value so deeply.

As a Director at Viva Farms, a local non-profit farm business incubator program, and an instructor in Skagit Valley College’s Sustainable Agriculture program, I have been fortunate to participate in the local farming community as a bilingual (English/Spanish) community educator. I engage diverse people around issues of food and farming, social justice, and sustainability, and I have practical experience in business management, strategic planning, budget design, fiscal stewardship, and building community partnerships. I bring this experience and a valued perspective to the table in my Board role.

The past three years in particular have been a challenging time in the history of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, and I’m proud to have done my part to help. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to our Co-op on multiple levels, including the closure and reimagining of the C-SQUARE space, rapid development of an online shopping program, the closure and reopening of the mezzanine, to name but a few. Due to the hard work, tenacity, and dedication of our amazing staff, the Co-op continues to thrive, and I’ve been happy to support them as much as possible.

At the same time, we’ve achieved a lot. In 2019, we successfully conducted a nationwide search and hired a capable and confidence-inspiring General Manager in Tony White, after the retirement of Todd Wood after over 40 years. As chair of the Board Development Committee, I’ve facilitated the adoption of a new system of governance known as Policy Governance that formalizes our systems of stewardship and accountability between the Board and management. We’ve amended our bylaws to be able to have electronic voting systems in place for member-owners and developed a strong strategic vision for the next five years. As we move into the next phase in the pandemic, our Co-op is in a strong financial position, and we’re poised for lasting success as a business and greater impact in our community.

It’s been an honor to serve on the Board, and I humbly ask for your support in serving another term! Thanks!

Clay Hinton

Voting Staff Representative Candidate: Clay Hinton

I have only been an employee of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op for a little while now, about one year. It happened quickly though, the feeling of belonging here. I became part of an amazing team and found passion in every individual I met. I find myself in love with the Valley. I see myself working in and with the Valley, making it my home.

With that being said, the Co-op is one of the most important functions of the Valley. It brings such a wide variety of people together, strengthening our community and the food systems within it. This is a notion I fell in love with while in college down in Portland. Not while in school per se, but when I got a part-time position at the local Co-op washing dishes. From there, six years later, I found myself involving myself with every aspect possible in regard to that co-op. Now, I want that same experience here in the Valley. I want to share my knowledge and experience with others, being part of something important.

My connection to the staff here at the Co-op will allow me to convey the needs of the whole store, and all of its employees. On top of providing representation for the employees, I am also interacting with the local farming community every day while placing orders for the Co-op. In addition to all of that, I am a resident of the downtown Mount Vernon community. As a voting board member, I would be doing my very best to give representation to as broad a spectrum of people as possible, making it my mission to involve everyone from these communities, so that we will grow an eclectic and passionate base for our Co-op to flourish.

The involvement of the community and individuals will likely be crucial in order to face some of the coming issues that the Co-op is about to face. The main problem I see us facing every day is the global pandemic and rising supply chain issues. I think that it will be important that the Co-op stays true to its values; protect the environment, support local, and bolster our community, in general, to stay ahead of most of these issues. I am directly involved with keeping a lot of these localized networks intact. This way, we can support local suppliers, while also gaining some autonomy from the world at large. So, by staying true to our mission, and with community support, we will be able to handle just about any problem that is in front of us. I can't wait to face some of these problems ahead of us, and I look forward to working with you all.

Cole Corcoran

Voting Staff Representative Candidate: Cole Corcoran

I would love to serve on the Board of Trustees to further strengthen the partnership between our community and the Co-op. I feel I understand many of our community's challenges and see how we as a Co-op can work towards a common goal. Additionally, I feel strongly and support the Co-op’s commitment to provide quality and ethically sourced products to our community. As an Employee Board Member, I would strengthen the Co-op’s connection to our community by learning more about our current partners and programs. I would enjoy learning and getting to know new organizations that share the same beliefs and values. During the pandemic, I had the unique opportunity to work within Public Health, by working the front lines of the test and vaccine site. I learned that I enjoyed working with the public, staff, and volunteers. This time has taught me to listen and work as a unified team. I feel these skills allow me to meet, connect, and communicate with our fellow community members.

As a fellow Skagitonian, I see and feel the political divide within our county. This in turn is felt within the Co-op, especially noticeable I am sure due to the pandemic. As a board member, I would listen and be open to all members' opinions. I would allow all members to be heard, as well as make sure their wishes are understood. I would support the Co-op in the direction the Board feels is best for the Co-op and our community.

My background and education have given me the ability to provide exceptional guest service. I feel this ability is crucial for every member on the Co-op team. The members are who provide us with insights and purpose, in exchange for quality products and exceptional customer service. I have knowledge in food service safety and the requirements of our county to prepare and serve safe and quality products to our community. I feel my strongest asset is my communication and style. I feel every situation can be handled in the best way possible if all parties communicate and respect each other’s beliefs.

Galen LeGrand

Voting Staff Representative Candidate: Galen LeGrand

I have held a management position here at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op for 20 years as the Meat Department Manager, and 14 of those years have also been as the Cheese Department Manager. I have watched the Co-op grow tremendously during my time here, and I have enjoyed being part of that growth. I feel that one of the Co-op’s most valuable assets is our employees, and I would be honored to represent my fellow employees on the Board of Trustees. I would strengthen the Co-op’s connection with the community by actively encouraging and promoting the Co-op’s involvement in more community events.

I think one of the Co-op’s biggest challenges is: finding enough employees to fill the positions and then being able to keep those employees long-term. My role in this would be to speak openly and honestly to the Board about the working conditions, compensation, and employee perception and how those directly affect the employees positively or negatively.

So, when the Board holds a vote that will have an impact on the employees, the final outcome will be seen as a positive move that employees will be happy with. With over two decades under my belt as an employee of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, I would be honored to represent my fellow employees on the Co-op’s Board of Trustees and be their voice.

Thanks for your time and please don’t forget to vote.

Voting Staff Representative Candidate: Genaro Gomez

My name is Genaro Gomez, and I am interested in serving on the Skagit Valley Food Co-op Board. I believe that as a long-time employee I have the skills necessary to help the Co-op grow in the right direction. I have been fortunate to be an employee of the co-op for the better part of the last 15 years. In that time, I have seen the Co-op grow and grow. It has expanded in ways not many of us had predicted. Sometimes this growth is lost on me, but any time I mention to someone I’ve met that I work at the Co-op, they tell me just how much they love it and what it means to them to have the Co-op in their lives.

I’d like to serve on the Board because I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. The Board is a tremendous group of individuals with a wealth of experience. They have done an incredible job of navigating these challenging times. I am excited by the idea of getting to learn from them and helping keep our Co-op on the right track. I moved to the area in 2004 and started at the Co-op in 2007. It took me a little bit of time to feel like I was a member of the community, a large part of that was I was a little shy, and still saw myself as an outsider. However, being a part of the staff at the Co-op made me realize that I was at home. It has always been a welcoming place that has allowed me to thrive by being myself.

I believe that I could benefit the board by providing my unique voice. Everyone at work knows that I wear a lot of different hats, both figuratively and literally. As a proud Latino, I was touched by our efforts to reach out to that community. I know that I could provide more insight on how to bring them into the fold, to let them know that good food is for everyone in our community.

There are lots of challenges yet to be faced. I can’t say for sure what comes next. Our former General Manager Todd Wood instilled in me that we must always be looking ahead. Our Co-op is a pioneer, and we must look for new ways to set the bar for other grocers in the area and across the country. I believe that I can use my knowledge to look for new ideas that will keep us ahead of the curve.

I do my best to carry myself with a team-first mentality day in and day out. As a massive baseball fan, I appreciate how baseball is both a team sport and an individual sport. No other sport encapsulates everyday life quite like baseball. You might have a bad day, or the best day of your life, but there is always tomorrow, and something to learn and do better the next day. I hope that you can give me the opportunity to serve on the Board and put in the work to make us the team I know we can be.

2022 Board Elections: Candidate Statements