Board Elections 2017: The Candidates

All the candidates have provided written answers to a series of questions, which can be read by clicking on the names below. The candidates have also recorded video statements, which can be viewed on the online ballot. (Login required.)

Ellen Badger

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I’m a Weavers Way and you-pick CSA member and buy nearly all my groceries at the Co-op. I appreciate the Co-op’s Ends and ambition, especially its contributions to the local economy, environmental stewardship, fostering of a diverse, inclusive, and friendly community, care for employees and ethical sourcing. I also love going to the Co-op to pick up products that inspire my creative side and love of cooking.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I started my career in anti-poverty nonprofits. I got my introduction to budgeting and financial management at the Wharton School, where I sought a master’s in business administration to better understand how to help social impact organizations thrive. Since then, I have seen the practical application of my studies as a consultant who advises governments, businesses, nonprofits and foundations on strategy, operations and organization.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

Short term: Successfully launching the Germantown store (and learning and adapting), while maintaining quality, profitability and growth at other locations.
Long term: Advancing the Ends while competing in a difficult industry. Sometimes, these will feel like they are in tension; however, an unwavering commitment to the Ends is essential.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My work has prepared me to understand the special circumstances of a mission-driven organization and the practical realities of running a sustainable business. I bring experience with decision making and strategy and with helping teams come to consensus in the face of uncertainty. I also bring board experience with the Chestnut Hill Local and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.

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Bill Coleman

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I shop at Chestnut Hill daily, Mt. Airy and Ambler occasionally. I’ve been a Co-op member for over 40 years and a working member for 10 years.  No special projects.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I created a home delivery business, using an old Post Office truck. Other experience includes selling wholesale produce, running three different corner stores, operating a food brokerage and running a nine-store farmers market in West Philadelphia. At Firehouse Farmers Market, I served as manager, leasing agent, business broker and retailer.  I was never a “suit,” but always an entrepreneur. I consistently matched income with expenses (which is difficult with startups). I always succeeded in selling the businesses I created. Early on, I was advised by Jules Timmerman.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

Short term: Get Germantown open and stable. All stores, led by Germantown and working with suppliers, can offer more special prices. Long term challenge: How many satisfying lifetime careers can the Co-op support?

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

Firehouse Farmers Market: partnered with Cedar Park Neighbors for 10 years. Created and ran Friday Night Jazz at the Firehouse for seven years, highlighting local talent. Played a significant role in transforming Baltimore Avenue corridor and Cedar Park Neighbors Community Association. Estate of H. C. Coleman: board member 50 years; chairman, 20 years.  Supported many micro projects.  I have experience in creating and supporting new ventures while working with a community organization.

 

 

Cheryl Croxton

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I believe in the Co-op’s commitment to excellent food options and its status as an anchor for stable communities.  My family joined Weavers Way over 24 years ago.  We shop there regularly and enjoy its produce, local dairy and prepared foods. I am currently president of the board and was previously vice president. I worked on the new Strategic Plan and the development of the Germantown store. I also serve on the board of  Weavers Way Community Fund.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I have financial services, executive and legal experience in mortgage servicing, crisis management and affordable housing financing. Much of that was with Fannie Mae, a company that supports the nation’s housing finance system. I also served as corporate counsel and advised business partners.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

Weavers Way serves communities with numerous grocery options; this highly competitive environment challenges loyalty. We must continue to ensure the Co-op’s financial and operational strength while encouraging deeper connections to the people it serves. I’m interested in helping connect board members with the Co-op’s community of multi-neighborhood members, employees, vendors, community partners and others to listen, share and guide the mission. 

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

I am a collaborative leader who enjoys working with others to solve big, hairy problems.  In addition to my experience as a mortgage finance professional and lawyer, I’ve served on business & community advisory boards.  Early on, I worked in marketing at Procter & Gamble and I was a Future Farmer of America at Saul High School.

 

Jason Henschen

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I moved to the area ‘for the girl’ in 2006. Soon after, I became a Co-op member through my household and looked for ways to become more involved.  From 2008 to 2011, I was a member of the Environment Committee. In 2021 I joined the board, and last year took on the role of secretary. I am currently the chair of the ad hoc equity committee and a member of both the Germantown Outreach and steering committees.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

As sales director for High Point’s wholesale division, I was responsible for the largest revenue source for the organization.  As a board member, my current fiduciary responsibilities include reviewing and monitoring budgets and analyzing potential business opportunities for the Co-op.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

Recently, I have been most involved with preparing for the opening of the Germantown store. Once that happens, Weavers Way’s immediate challenge will be to ensure the store’s financial success as a new business in a richly diverse neighborhood with a range of incomes. Rival stores will continue to find ways to deliver their products faster and more efficiently, so over the long term we will need to keep pace with this rapidly evolving market.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My experience on the board over the past three years has allowed me to build strong relationships with fellow board members and local community organizations. I look forward to the opportunity to continue this work and to grow these relationships for another term.

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Gail McFadden-Roberts

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I shop twice a week at the Co-op and my youngest son buys a meal from the prepared foods department or deli 2-3 times a week. I’ve served on the Leadership Committee and co-chaired the General Membership Meeting. I am a current board member, serve as treasurer and chair the finance and audit committees.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I am a trustee at my church. A key responsibility is financial oversight — monitoring sufficiency of income to cover expenses and maintain ministries. My financial oversight experience includes devising strategies and solutions for financial challenges that may arise. I chair the investment committee of the Ivy Legacy Foundation and the finance committee of the Pennsylvania Association of Parliamentarians.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

 I perceive two challenges for the Co-op: increasing our working member numbers and making sure we get the expansion in Germantown right for current members, new members, non-member shoppers and our new Germantown neighbors. All gas and no brakes on our current community outreach in Germantown is my recommendation for getting the Germantown expansion right for everyone. It should be a long-term effort that continues well past the startup years. Working membership used to be baked into our culture and that culture was our market edge. Continuously showing members how we are a key contribution to our competitive advantage is what I believe will increase our working cooperator numbers.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My volunteer and professional experiences include human resources and labor relations (I supervised staff that were union members); strategic planning, financial management, employee engagement and organizational development. 

Dan Packel

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

We’ve purchased most of our family’s groceries at Weavers Way Mt. Airy for the eight years that we’ve lived in the neighborhood, and I occasionally shop at Chestnut Hill and Ambler. I’ve been a working member for just as long.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

In my current professional role as an editor for a series of legal news publications, I’ve worked to plot out travel and expense budgets for the reporters on our team. I look forward to better understanding the budgeting process at Weavers Way.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

The recent closure of Kensington Community Food Co-op illustrates the challenges for cooperative groceries that don’t have their act together. Luckily, Weavers Way has over 50 years of experience in the market and good will in the community to trade upon. But in the face of growing pressure from discount grocers and gourmet purveyors operated by tech giants, that alone is not enough. In the short term, the Co-op must ensure the successful opening of the new Germantown store, including the right product mix and pricing to thrive in the neighborhood. Keeping prices competitive while maintaining a commitment to Weavers Way’s values is a long-term challenge given the likely limits to further expansion. The Co-op can only embrace economies of scale so far.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My family belongs to the Mt. Airy Babysitting Co-op, which is almost as old as Weavers Way. And I have worked in specialty food retail, which gives me insights into product mix and the retail experience.

 

Francena Turner

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects, and activities.

I have been a shopper at Weavers Way since the ‘90s and am now a working member. As a young mom, I found the Co-op to be a reliable source of healthy, fresh food that nourished my family and supplemented my vegetable garden. Currently, I'm more grounded in promoting local or regional sources of food, urban farming practices and business models that create more equitable access to high quality products for our community.

2. Describe your experience with financial oversight, particularly of a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I've served in leadership positions (president, executive vice president) for over 20 years in housing, finance and development. I supervised operations and multimillion-dollar development budgets. Risk and feasibility analysis, design and construction required a high level of competency with working through professional teams and communicating with community interests. Financing collaborations supported the required layers of capital grants, loans and equity investments.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way, and how should we address them?

I'd like to understand how the Co-op’s organizational structure evolved. I’m also concerned about the increasing complexity of business risks and the need to maintain critical competencies. How can we ensure that our leadership has the capacity to keep up with our business portfolio? What measurements are used to objectify performance? Is there a plan to backfill critical positions if they are vacated?

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives or organizations that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My career was based in the nonprofit and public sectors, which are attuned to community interests and collaborative decision making. I believe my experience in strategic planning, feasibility analysis, finance, real estate development and program assessment will be especially relevant to Weavers Way.