I have had the pleasure to serve as a director of our grocery since being appointed in spring of 2004. I was honored to be elected in 2006, and would like to continue serving. So I ask for your vote.

As our grocery continues to grow deeper roots and establish itself in our community, I offer historical perspectives. Having been a part of the team since the formation of the business – through fundraising and owner recruitment, including opening and our first two years of operations – I will bring a measure of continuity to the Board.

In addition to perspectives on our origins, I bring to my service on the Board skills in policy development, marketing, and organization as well as unique food-producer perspectives from my family’s farmstead goat cheese business. (My parents are 20 year veterans in the rapidly growing field of sustainable agriculture.) My career in various environmental professions began at my alma mater (UNC Greensboro) where I built an award winning campus recycling program. After establishing those systems, I spent a year with the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, followed by graduate studies in environmental policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs. I have helped to oversee effective government expenditures at the US Government Accountability Office, and worked to promote cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. My experience in the private sector includes work as an environmental consultant in green building design and project development in China. Also, in 2003-2005 I managed a bed & breakfast inn on my family’s goat dairy farm. For the past two and a half years I have worked in the non-profit realm, helping farmers.

I hope I can count on your vote to continue serving this amazing community asset.

john.bonitz@gmail.com

A native of upstate New York (Brockport, Holley & Rochester), I relocated to Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1998. After working several years at UNC and for the town as a Chapel Hill Transit driver, I began a position as an executive administrative assistant at a small biotech start up (HepatoTech) in Pittsboro in 2002. The following July I bought my home here and will be celebrating 5 years this summer. Currently I work for RTI International in Durham, within the health sciences unit, business development group. I ride and drive a Triangle Transit vanpool, to and from Pittsboro – to and from RTP, which RTI graciously subsidizes.

As soon as I learned of the possibility of Chatham Marketplace opening in Pittsboro, I wanted to be part of making that happen. My laminated card patiently waited on the fridge for a couple years. When opening day arrived, I couldn’t wait to get home from work and make my first trek to the co-op! Having such a treasure within a five minutes walk away – what a treat! It was pouring down rain that afternoon, and I was soaked by the time I crossed the threshold, but that took no joy out of making my first purchase at the checkout (ice cream and peaches!)

My eclectic collection of work experiences range from picking fruits and vegetables, mowing lawns, being a summer janitor, a cashier at a pharmacy/gift shop/US post office substation, to designing ads, assisting customers with mat and glass selections and assembling custom picture frames, to sorting mail, answering phones, entering data, writing checks and preparing a daily deposit for the cashier, to driving public transit buses, and delivering flowers for blossom on weekends. Volunteering? I have helped out at Weaver Street Market prepping produce, and on occasion I’m at the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Community Center climbing wall – helping teach introductory courses and providing belays for family fun night. On several occasions I have photographed weddings. I’ve also been found filling and facing coolers and shelves at CM!

Making a difference globally – albeit a crucial mission – is an incredibly daunting task to me. I very much believe in striving to make things better within arms reach and causing a positive ripple effect. While considering the possibility of joining The Board, I’ve come to realize that my most basic philosophy in life may just coincide with the objectives of my favorite co-op. It is here that I would like to offer to help on a new level.

trinamcook@hotmail.com

I am seeking to continue my work on the Board of Chatham Marketplace. I have served on the Board as treasurer for the last 3 years and as head of the finance committee.  I have enjoyed helping Chatham Marketplace get up and running and now want to be part of the team that makes it the success we all know it can be.  I want to be part of the process of helping the local community.
 
I have worked in Pittsboro for almost 19 years as an accountant and most recently as a partner in the accounting firm Krombach Dunn & Co., PLLC.  I am the parent of two children, Eric a 5th year senior at NC State and Courtney who is graduating from UNC-W this spring (go Courtney!).  In my spare time I like to garden, travel and attend sporting events. I am also involved as a volunteer with the SPCA if Wake County, part of the Living History Crew aboard the USS North Carolina in Wilmington and with the 82nd Airborne War Museum at Fort Bragg. 

I have been a Chatham Marketplace owner since early in its development. I also volunteered to upgrade the database that the Marketplace uses to manage information about owners and investors. And of course, I am a frequent shopper at the Marketplace.

When I heard that people in the community were taking steps to develop Chatham Marketplace, I was thrilled that I might no longer have to drive to Chapel Hill for healthy food choices. Now that the Marketplace is a reality, it is becoming much more than just a local grocer. It is quickly becoming a place where the community can come together to share information, host cultural events, see old friends, and meet new ones.

I have lived in Pittsboro with my wife and 3 sons for 23 years. I work as an environmental engineer with the U.S. EPA in RTP. My current passions are running, hiking, mtn biking, and gardening.

I would like to serve on the board because it would allow me to contribute to the economic well-being and health of the community through the continuing development of the Marketplace. I would do this by drawing upon my experience with:

Environmental Protection Agency – Have worked at EPA for 20 years, 5 years as a manager of a $2+ million per year program and staff of 15. As such, led annual budget and project planning, hired personnel, worked with employees on setting goals and on continuing development activities.

Chatham Soccer League – Served as board member for 3 years, responsible for purchasing equipment. Helped plan seasonal activities as well as long term planning and development during an exciting time in which the league expanded significantly in terms of number of children and volunteers, number of fields and equipment, and other aspects of the program.

Pittsboro Presbyterian Church – Served on the church governing board for 6 years, treasurer for 15 years, teacher for 12 years, led youth group in service activities, served as Finance Committee chair for 5 years, served on several other committees.

Also have experience with data analysis, data management, construction, and woodworking.

dmisen@gmail.com

I am seeking the opportunity to serve as a Board Member for the Chatham Marketplace.

Chatham Marketplace fills an important niche in providing customer access to local, organic, and eco-responsible goods. It also serves an important function in providing the public with educational forums on nutrition, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle including social events. I have enjoyed those benefits prior to and since becoming an owner over a year ago. For the last 20+ years I have grown organic vegetables and fruit on a small scale for my own consumption so I was excited to see the birth of Chatham Marketplace. Having grown up on a farm I have seen where our food can come from. The CM’s proactive role in making available locally produced goods assists in the conservation of fuels associated with shipping and also provides fresher, more nutritious foods.

I want to serve on the Board to assist in the decision making to carry out the responsibilities of the Board. Some of the skills, and qualifications I have include:

Working in a non-profit environment providing goods and services; cost analysis and budget planning; hiring and supervising personnel; committee memberships which include policy development, SOP’s, order tracking databases, and informatics structure; progress and annual report data gathering, and report writing.

Serving on the Board will be a privilege and responsibility. By serving I will gain insight into co-op operations and be able to actively contribute to the Board’s functions. It will be an opportunity to give back to the community that I have been a part of for over thirty years. I feel strongly that there should be continued growth and viability of Chatham Marketplace. This goal will be possible with the continued support of the owners and the hard work of the staff and Board members.

kathy_mohr@med.unc.edu