Board Bios | Common Ground Food Co-op

Ben Galewsky

Board Member Since: Spring 2007 Co-op Owner Since: Fall 2004 Current Term: Fall 2012- Fall 2015

What made you want to become a board member?

Shopping at Common Ground served as my introduction to the world of cooperative business. With my background in finance and investor-owned business I was intrigued. I ran for a board seat to learn more about this unfamiliar way of doing business and to contribute to the long-term viability of our beloved institution.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I'm a freelance software developer. I work from home and so daily trips to the co-op are always a welcome social opportunity.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

I'll admit it. I'm a co-op nerd. The one about "the cooperative movement is strengthened" gets me excited.

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

Deli soups in the winter time!

Martha Mills

Board Member Since: Fall 2011, Co-op Owner Since: Fall 2007, Current Term: Fall 2011- Fall 2014

What made you want to become a board member?

I love Common Ground. I am a little obsessive when it comes to Common Ground. I believe it does so much good for our community and for my family. I wanted to be a part of that good. I wanted to help as much as possible to make a difference and to help our co-op continue to grow and thrive.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I am a stay-at-home mom to my two-year-old daughter Alba. She's pretty awesome. I am also an active company member with The Station Theatre, a part-time nanny for some friends, and am a hopeful home business cook.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

Oh gosh! One?! I think I will pick the one I recently blogged about, "The co-op is the center of vibrant and inclusive community." I think it is so important to raise awareness and get more people involved in the co-op. The more people know about us, the more we can accomplish!

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

I am embarrassed to say this but - it's coffee. I don't drink a lot of coffee at home so I look forward to getting good coffee a couple times a week! (Also the entire bulk section.)

Lisa Hinchliffe

Board Member Since: Spring 2012 Co-op Owner Since: Summer 2008 Current Term: Fall 2012 - Fall 2015

What made you want to become a board member?

I wanted to contribute my leadership skills to our thriving cooperative that is a key component of quality of life in our community.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I work as the Coordinator for Information Literacy Services at the University of Illinois Library, which means that I oversee our educational outreach and programming, and am also a Professor. Personal interests include travel, design in architecture and fashion, being an aunt, and - well - food!

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

"The co-op is the center of a vibrant, inclusive community" is to me the foundation. Our non-owners welcome practices, Food for All program, scholarship, etc. are all examples of how we are putting this end into practice. Though I know we can do more and that we will!

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

Organic corn chips. I'm addicted. This is the one food I miss most when I travel international. Feels a little lame but it is the truth! I have a long list of "what I buy every month" though and after the expansion that list is getting longer!

Julie Zilles

Board Member Since: Spring 2012 Co-op Owner Since: Summer 2002 Current Term: Fall 2012 - Fall 2013

What made you want to become a board member?

My main motivation for running for the Board was that I wanted to give something back, by helping sustain and strengthen CGFC and our local food supply network.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I work at the university teaching and developing microbial processes to clean water.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

End #4: Our local food movement is equitable, robust, and environmentally sound.

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

Blue Moon carrots!

Megan Gillette

Board Member Since: Spring 2012 Co-op Owner Since: Winter 2009 Current Term: Fall 2012 - Fall 2013

What made you want to become a board member?

After attending the visioning workshop, I realized I wanted to more involved in making sure the Co-op grew and evolved the way I know it can. If I can lend my experience as a long-time owner/shopper of Co-ops and a small-business owner, I feel it's my responsibility to help and I'm happy to serve the impassioned food and co-operative community.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

Outside of being a board member I am a mother/cook/feeder of my husband and FIT (Foodies in Training) kids, a food columnist for chambanamoms.com, a real estate broker with Keller Williams, the manager of my property lease and holding company, as well as a Senior UI and web designer at Wolfram Research. I love to travel, design interiors, and explore exciting dining opportunities and farm-to-fork cuisine.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

I am most excited about the community space the Co-op is providing. It has long been one of my family's favorite places to gather but I am seeing many more familiar faces on a regular basis with the expanded store and enhanced flow. The teaching classroom and kitchen are a huge asset to the community and to our lives.

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

That's so tough. I guess I'll have to go with the soups, so I don't have to pick just one. I plan my lunches around the soup schedule and am flummoxed when Indonesian Spinach and African Groundnut Stew are featured on the same day. Lately though, the Granny's Got the Beets salad has been creeping up my list of Co-op obsessions. Oh, and Billy, the cheese monger. He's not an item but he's a huge asset to the cheese department and will patiently talk cheese with anyone and I usually end up buying many of his suggestions and they never disappoint!

Todd Sweet

Current Board Chair Board Member Since: Fall 2010, Co-op Owner Since: Fall 2009, Current Term: Fall 2011- Fall 2014

What made you want to become a board member?

As a transplant to C-U I wanted to find ways to get more involved in the community. I made a list of organizations that were very important to my family, and Common Ground was at the top.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I have two young kids so they keep me very busy. I love music, movies (documentaries), books (non-fiction), running, biking, camping, and recently I've been trying my hand at gardening and canning.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

That's like asking me to pick my favorite child! In terms of excitement, I've been amazed by the recent influence Common Ground has had on the development of other co-ops in C-U and beyond. Consequently, I'll go with, "The cooperative movement is strengthened."

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

Do not ever, under any circumstances, try and take away my beloved breakfast burrito. It makes a delicious lunch and dinner item as well.

Brandon Boys

Board Member Since: Fall 2012 Co-op Owner Since: Summer 2010, Current Term: Fall 2012- Fall 2014

What made you want to become a board member?

The opportunity to play a role in the growth of Common Ground and to learn more about effective governance through policy.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

I work in the City of Urbana's Economic Development Division.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

Strengthening the cooperative movement, which I also view as way to increase the diversity and resilience of the economy.

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

Bulk tofu.

Eunice Bucknerboone

Board Member Since: Fall 2012 Co-op Owner Since: Spring 2008 Current Term: Fall 2012-Fall 20158

What made you want to become a board member?

I became a member of Common Ground Food Cooperative because I believe that everyone should have access to the healthy food and to insure this everyone needs to feel/be empowered to participate more fully in this process so that more of us are eating/living healthy.

What do you do outside of being a board member?

My married partner is Robert Boone and this is a relationship I value. Living in our home are two dogs Lady Meera Grace a Jack Russell Terrier/Sheltie mix and a Chihuahua Ceasar Leo. We are parents of two adult women living in Chicago. I am a Clinical Counselor my business name is Ebbes Professional counseling Services and Robert is a emergency room physician. I've lived in Urbana since 1983. I host a talk show on WEFT 90.1 FM titled "Higher Ground" and I serve on WEFT's Program Committee.. I enjoy walking in nature alone, with Robert, our my animals and others.

Which of Common Ground's Ends are you most excited about?

Two Ends are all encompassing to me "Center of vibrant inclusive community" "Equitable /robust environmentally sound"

What Common Ground item could you not live without?

I believe that I thrive in Community and it is vital to how well I /WE live.

Sam Vandegrift

Board Member Since: Fall 2008, Co-op Owner Since:July 2004, Current Term: Fall 2010- Fall 2013