Board Candidate

Chris Kwast

A South Bay resident for over 35 years, I’ve built a strong connection to this community. Originally from Seattle, WA, I graduated from Hilltop High School and Southwestern College with an Associate’s in Business Management. My career spans 15 years in hotel facilities maintenance, including the Hotel del Coronado, where I met my amazing wife. Transitioning to the alarm industry, I now own my own business and serve on the board of our local Alarm Association. I’m deeply invested in the South Bay, having served on the Otay Mesa Nestor Community Planning Committee for 9 years and actively volunteering with local charities. I’m passionate about bringing a quality, locally owned, and sustainable grocery store to our community

Appointed Board Member

Elena Palma

Board Member

Shannon Ratliff

I was born and raised in the mid-west, the land of grocery co-ops! My professional background is in healthy living and health promotion, I have a Masters degree in Health Psychology. I am a strong advocate for less chemicals in our foods and products, and would love better access to local and organically grown foods for my family. I grew up around a variety of foods. One side of my family grew most of their food on a several acre farm while living on a tight budget. The other were Hungarian immigrants, of which I am first generation. I was raised with homemade, home-grown, self-preserved foods and appreciate all that is required for that privilege. I’m excited to help bring SunCoast Market to life because co-ops offer such a unique and community-focused shopping experience and bring the ingredients that a diverse community needs to prepare their favorite meals. Imperial Beach is the perfect place for a cooperative store!

Board Member

Kim Rivero Frink

I’m a 3rd generation Mexican-American born in So Cal and have lived in San Diego County since 1984. My family’s roots are in East L.A. and I was the first in my family to go to college. Although my mom made the effort, we weren’t adventurous eaters growing up. When I got a job as a baker at my UCSC college coffee shop, I was embarrassed to find out after 2 weeks that I had been sautéing romaine lettuce for the quiches instead of spinach because I didn’t know the difference! I’m glad to share that I know the difference now and my husband and I grow both in our garden. As a founding Board member of SunCoast, and current Board President, I have visited food co-ops across the country and love the direct connection co-ops provide between our food and the farmers that grow our food. I am a passionate advocate for SunCoast and excited that we are so close to opening South Bay’s first food co-op. I represent SunCoast in several local organizations including the I.B. Chamber of Commerce, the I.B. Collaborative, and the LiveWell San Diego So. Region Leadership Team. I have a master’s degree in public administration from SDSU and was honored to be recognized as one of 50 distinguished alumni during SDSU’s School of Public Affairs 50th anniversary celebration.

Board Member

Shirley Soth

I lived in Alaska most of my life. Went to high school, got married and completed 20 years in the Postal Service. When the kids graduated from high school, we left Alaska and traveled. We bought a place in Imperial Beach in 2010. I didn’t know anyone except the people I worked out with. One of those being Anna Kirsner. She mentioned working with a group of mothers wanting to provide better nutrition for their families. I thought it was a great meaningful project, a way to meet people in the community, and a better grocery store was direly needed in Imperial Beach. So I joined the group and have been working to get a co-op in Imperial Beach for the past 3 years. I’ve been using my extensive bookkeeping experience for SunCoast Market.