Current and past board members join General Manager Steve Watts in proudly declaring what they love about the Co+op. From left, Cecile Hemez, Tracy McFarland, Karen Kendall, Megan Green, Nancy Savoia, Merry McIntyre and Steve Watts. Courtesy photo 
The Co+op Board adopted the Canyon Rim Trail across from the Co+op. Join the Board and member-owners on the morning of May 2 as part of Clean Up Los Alamos Day. Front row, Co+op Board Vice President Cecile Hemez. Back row from left, Co+op Treasurer Karen Kendall, Board Member Ed Santiago, Past Board President Nancy Savoia, previous Board Member Gale Zander Barlow, County Open Space Specialist Craig Martin, current Board President Tracy McFarland, Board Secretary David Fellenz and Co+op General Manager Steve Watts. Courtesy photo
CO+OP News:
Member-owners and the public are invited to the Los Alamos Co+op Market’s Annual Meeting 4-6 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the Holiday Inn Express.
Board President Tracy McFarland will give the State of the Co+op. As a brief preview, 2014 was a strong year for the Co+op. Sales were just under $3.8 million and net loss of $4,956. In March 2015, repayment began to all member-owners who made loans over four years ago allowing the store to open and thrive.
It is with regret that the Los Alamos Cooperative Market Board of Directors has accepted General Manager Steve Watts’s resignation as he pursues a new opportunity. The Board is extremely grateful to Steve for his 4-1/2 years of leadership for the Co+op. Steve became the general manager before there even was a store and realized the member-owners’ and Board’s dream of opening a cooperative market in Los Alamos.
He led the Co+op through the building of the store, hired and trained a management team, reached out and engaged the community. With several years of double-digit growth, the Co+op became in a position to purchase its building, a remarkable achievement for such a young business. The Board will always be grateful for Steve’s effort and leadership getting the Co+op off the ground. Steve’s new position is as Executive Director of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.
The Board will begin a search for a new general manager. An excellent management team is in place and the store remains strong. Board President, Tracy McFarland said “the Board is excited to work with the management team to ensure a smooth transition while continuing to move toward achieving the Ends that guide our governance of the Co+op on behalf of our
member-owners.”
Los Alamos Co+op Market exists so that:
- Its communities have conveniently located, welcoming, accessible places to buy a variety of foods and products including local, healthy and natural foods;
- Our community has a thriving marketplace where people want to shop, work and be;
- Our member owners’ goal of increased environmental sustainability is achieved;
- It provides quality employment opportunities in an enjoyable, stimulating, and cooperative environment; and
- Local producers have an expanding opportunity to sell their products.
