Our Board of Directors
About the Board
If you’re a co-op owner, in addition to getting the products you need, you also have a say in your co-op’s direction and business decisions. That’s where the Board comes in. Owners are represented by a Board of Directors, which maintains the vision and long-term viability of the Co-op. Our 12-member Board is elected each year in April.
Foundational to the Board’s work is the power of community ownership. Simply put, a co-op is a business owned by the people who use it. This is a very different way of doing business. The co-op and its Board exist to serve the member-owners, rather than to return profits to a single individual or small group of outside investors.
Learn More
Interested in what makes a food co-op tick? Take a deep dive into the work of our Board and cooperative governance below.
The Co-op Board does not run the stores, nor does it have direct control over the daily operation of them; that is the role of Management. Instead, the Board monitors the operations of the stores via Policy Governance®, a system of oversight and accountability that emphasizes values, vision, and the empowerment of both Board and staff, while clearly delineating the roles and responsibilities of each.
Want to learn more? Read the latest version of our Policies.
Bylaws are the owner’s manual for a cooperative. They define how the cooperative functions, including membership requirements, voting procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors and management.
Read our Bylaws here.
The Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society (Co-op) is central to a well-nourished community that:
- Has food and product access for all community members based on their needs and wants, including foods and products that are sourced or produced:
- Locally
- Ethically
- Sustainably
- By businesses owned by underrepresented populations
- By businesses that value the well being of their employees
- Healthfuly
- Fairly priced
- Has access to services that support all community members based on their needs, including transportation needs.
- Participates in a vibrant cooperative ecosystem.
Our vision is a well-nourished community cultivated through cooperation.
In addition to the Cooperative Values that cooperatives worldwide adhere to, the Co-op Board established additional values for our cooperative in 2023. They are:
EMPLOYEES
We value the well-being of our employees and their families. We prioritize the well-being of our employees and their families by providing comprehensive support, fostering a healthy work-life balance, and promoting professional development opportunities.
COMMUNITY
We value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community by actively engaging with individuals from different backgrounds, advocating for equal opportunities, and fostering an environment of respect, acceptance, and belonging.
LOCAL
We value a resilient local food system and economy. We actively contribute to a resilient local food system and economy by sourcing locally, supporting local producers and businesses, and collaborating with community partners to ensure sustainable and thriving local ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENT
We value being a regenerative business with a positive environmental impact. We promote environmental stewardship through sustainable practices and active investment in initiatives that have a positive and measurable impact on the environment.
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first.
The 7 Cooperative Principles
1. Open and Voluntary Membership
Membership in a cooperative is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Representatives (directors/trustees) are elected among the membership and are accountable to them. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
5. Education, Training, and Information
Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, help boost cooperative understanding.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
By working together through local, national, regional and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
Want to Join Us at a Meeting?
Co-op member-owners are welcome to attend meetings and encouraged to share their thoughts with committee chairs on topics of interest to them. The time and location of board committee meetings will be posted at least 48 hours in advance.
Board meeting minutes are approved at the following board meeting. Interested in past board meeting minutes? Reach out to April Harkness through our contact page.
Meeting Schedule
Remember, being a co-op owner is a responsibility! Get engaged and let us know what’s on your mind. We hope to see you soon.
Our Board meets 8 times per year to make decisions, monitor governing and GM policies, and most importantly, to listen to questions and feedback from our member-owners. Owners welcome!
Next Meeting
DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: TBD
REMOTE OPTIONS: Yes. Connect using MS Teams.
BOARD PACKET: Coming soon.
Owner Linkage Committee members outline ways and methods to communicate with and hear from Co-op owners. Got ideas? Reach out to us.
DATE: 3rd Tuesday of Each Month
TIME: 4:30 PM
CHAIRPERSON: Eileen O’Toole
Our board members focus on the governance of the organization, leaving operations to Co-op management. Governance committee members meet regularly to review board policy.
DATE: First Tuesday of Each Month
TIME: 6 p.m.
CHAIRPERSON: Conicia Jackson
Bylaws function like an instruction manual that outlines the rules and procedures for how a co-op operates. Committee members review our bylaws on a regular basis for potential amendments.
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
CHAIRPERSON: Eric Deluca
2025 Board of Directors
Eric DeLuca
Secretary
Term ends in 2028
Where do you live?
Wilmot, NH
What are you passionate about?
Lifelong friends and shared mutual interests, including music, snowboarding, and local food.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
So much! The way owners really use the co-op to get what they need & so many shoppers choose to be owners of this thriving community resource. How the Co-op goes out of its way to showcase local producers, as well as support those experiencing food insecurity & a broad range of community organizations. The way the Co-op centers environmental sustainability and acts both boldly and systematically toward that goal. That the Co-op is an integral part of a regional, national & international ecosystem that builds a better world through cooperative enterprise. I could go on…
Which store and aisle will I find you?
There’s something special about the cheese aisle at the Lebanon store. It’s a nice, little oasis at the heart of the store. And you can always find both tried & true and new-discovery Vermont artisanal cheeses! My favorite recently won an international award, but that’s not why I like it and enjoy sharing it with friends.
Email: ericdeluca@board.coopfoodstore.com
Mike Eigenbrode
Mike Eigenbrode
Where do you live?
Hartford Village, VT
What are you passionate about?
I’m very passionate about cooking and the local food system that fuels it! When I’m not cooking I find joy in running, adventuring with my dog, and embracing the outdoors and staying active.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
I love how the Co-op is actively supporting the community and brings us all together through shared values and collaborative efforts!
Which store and aisle will I find you?
You’ll find me at the White River Junction Co-op almost every evening. I can be found tucked away to the side scrolling through recipes for last-minute dinner inspiration, followed by shopping at breakneck speed through multiple aisles.
Email: mikeeigenbrode@board.coopfoodstore.com
Term ends in 2025
Where do you live?
Hartford Village, VT
What are you passionate about?
I’m very passionate about cooking and the local food system that fuels it! When I’m not cooking I find joy in running, adventuring with my dog, and embracing the outdoors and staying active.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
I love how the Co-op is actively supporting the community and brings us all together through shared values and collaborative efforts!
Which store and aisle will I find you?
You’ll find me at the White River Junction Co-op almost every evening. I can be found tucked away to the side scrolling through recipes for last-minute dinner inspiration, followed by shopping at breakneck speed through multiple aisles.
Email: meigenbrode@board.coopfoodstore.com
Conicia Jackson
President
Term ends in 2027
Where do you live?
Lyme, NH
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about finding solutions to create attainable housing in underserved communities.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
The moment I stepped inside the doors of the Co-op, I sensed its unique aura. The quaint Co-op in Lyme was my first encounter, and it immediately captured my interest. Little did I anticipate that I would eventually become a member of the Board. Yet here I am, nearly three years into my term, thoroughly enjoying my role within this exceptional organization. What resonates with me most about the Co-op is the palpable vitality that envelops me as I wander through the aisles of each store. I feel sense of excitement every time I walk into the Co-op stores. Observing the member owners taking immense pleasure and pride in their food and product choices fills me with a deep appreciation. The assurance that I can acquire wholesome items for both myself and my daughter is a source of confidence.
Which store and aisle will I find you?
On any given day at the Hanover store perusing the aisles, but where you will find me mostly hanging out is the organic vegetable section. I love all of the varieties of vegetables and contemplating what creative dishes I will conjure up for the upcoming week.
Email: coniciajackson@board.coopfoodstore.com.
Alice Kennedy
Term ends in 2027
Where do you live?
Enfield, NH
My name is Alice Kennedy, and I’m relatively new to the Upper Valley. I hold a master’s degree in public health and I moved to Enfield in 2018 to pursue a career in Health Services Research. Prior to moving to Enfield, I have lived in broadly different communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, New York, Ireland, and Kentucky. I have worked as a certified Montessori teacher, a paralegal, a physical therapy aid, and research manager. A lifelong learner, there has seldom been a time that I have not been juggling school, work, and community service – it is my happy place.
Email: alicekennedy@board.coopfoodstore.com
Peggy O’Neil
Treasurer
Term ends in 2026
Where do you live?
Cornish, NH
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about living here in the Upper Valley. I’m passionate about my work at WISE and I’m passionate about our Coop and its role in our community. I’m also a passionate home cook and our Coop gives me so many local and fresh choices to prepare meals for family and friends.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
What excites me about our Coop is its vitality–the daily and dynamic interactions between members, employees, partners, vendors and our community makes our Coop so dynamic and gives us, a shopper, fresh and local products.
Which store and aisle will I find you?
I am most often shopping in the Lebanon store. I love all the aisles! Local breads, viewing the different oils and vinegars, pastas and rices and the beautiful and local options in the produce section.
Email: peggyo’neil@board.coopfoodstore.com
Eileen O’Toole
Vice President
Term ends in 2026
Where do you live?
Hanover, NH
What are you passionate about?
Family and friends, Labradors, reading, cooking, and travel
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
There are so many great things! I love we are local on so many levels. We are rich in history and tradition. The Co-op cares and works diligently to take care of its employees and community. I also love finding new or unique products!
Which store and aisle will I find you?
Just one? Hmmm….I am going to go with the Hanover store and the cheese counter because my favorite maple apple baked donut holes are right near the cheese counter so I can get a two-for-one here! That cheese counter is where I first sampled a fabulous truffle cheese which is now a favorite!
Email:
eileeno’toole@board.coopfoodstore.com
Infiniti D Sanderfer
Term ends in 2027
Where do you live?
West Lebanon, NH
My name is Infiniti Sanderfer and I have lived in the Upper Valley for almost 6 years. I am a mother to a wonderful 8 year old and have worked professionally in kitchens for 10+years. I have a passion for positive change, I really connect with the values of the Co-op, and I would love to bring my perspective to the conversation about the Co-op’s future and how we can make meaningful additions to the Upper Valley.
Email: infinitisanderfer@board.coopfoodstore.com
Lynn Ellen Schimoler
Term ends in 2026
Where do you live?
Essex, VT
What are you passionate about?
Family, friends and volunteering in my community and mentoring. Dancing, local food and the game of Lacrosse.
What is it about the Co-op that excites you?
Cooperative economics excites me, and I’m committed to learning about and assisting with how these business models thrive. The Co-op food stores increase access to affordable food, amplify the value of supporting the local food and farm economy and improve well-being for a volunteer like me who is ‘fed’ by the knowledge and sense of purpose that comes from being an eater/customer to our stores.
The Co-op stores participate in the incredible eco-system of community-owned food enterprises around the globe, encouraging positive interaction among eaters and a reminder of our shared responsibility to be good stewards of our food system.
Where will I find you – which store, which aisle?
Likely meandering carefully around each store for different reasons. Produce, cheese and wine are areas where you might find me visiting longer.
Email: lynnellenschimoler@board.coopfoodstore.com
