Board elections - Spring 2020

SunCoast Market Co-op is executively managed by an elected Board of Directors. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long-range security and viability of the Co-op, and to develop policies necessary to carry out the duties of the board and the functions of the cooperative! The directors are elected by our owner-members. Voting opens May 4th and closes May 22nd.

The terms of election are as follows:

  • Board Directors will be elected for three-year terms.
  • Three board seats will be elected each year.

Meet Your 4 Candidates

Steven Wright
Board Candidate

Steven Wright is a culturally fluent, bi-lingual, bi-cultural and bi-national community organizer, facilitator, writer and sustainable construction educator. He has a master’s degree in social Innovation and Sustainability from Goddard College and B.S. in Evolution and Ecology from University of California Riverside and has built a strong network of diverse, and sometimes opposing, stakeholders from both sides of the border. He has been working in the Tijuana River Valley and tributaries for 10 years developing source-based solutions to the region’s waste-management challenges. You may have seen some of his public-art work in Imperial Beach and he facilitated the board session’s arrival on the name SunCoast Market Co-op.

 

Why I would like to be on the SunCoast board:

Push for innovative ways to safely eliminate as much plastic packaging as possible from SunCoast’s future storefront, increase access to healthy food for my family and other’s in town, gain valuable board experience.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: A place where you don’t feel guilty buying organic because it’s all individually wrapped in plastic.

 

My strengths: Strong facilitation skills (could lead a committee), talented and affordable marketing connections, writing/editing.

 

My ideas for the next year: Focus on the Latino community, employ a social media manager, get on TV.

 

Prior board experience: Former representative to our board at 4Walls.

Ellen Smith
Board Member

I have been in software industry and Imperial Beach for over 20 years. My husband Dean and I are raising our two sons together, and when we aren’t at kids sports, we love to spend our time in the outdoors, surfing, fishing, cycling, and gardening.

 

Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board: 

Imperial Beach residents deserve a decent grocery store. I have been supporting the effort to bring a natural foods grocery store to Imperial Beach for the last 3+ years and as a founding member of our board of directors. I’m happy to continue participating in the board until I am no longer needed. My corporate leadership experience as a Director of Software Quality Engineering has been valuable at times in the SunCoast Co-Op journey. But mostly, I just want to be able to ride my bike to the grocery store.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: I think they have the right vision: We envision a healthy community, with access to quality food in a vibrant and welcoming market, where anyone can be an owner and everyone can shop.

 

My strengths: Leadership experience, Creativity and collaboration, Concern for health and well being of ourselves, our families, and our community.

 

My ideas for the next year: Leadership experience Creativity and collaboration Concern for health and well being of ourselves, our families, and our community.

 

Prior board experience: SunCoast Market Board Member

Peggy Keating
Board Member/Volunteer Coordinator

I grew up in Michigan and have lived in Southern California since leaving the MidWest. We have spent summers in IB since 1990 and have lived here permanently for 3 years. I’m a retired nurse, but my hubby of 38 years is still working and looking forward to retirement in 2021. We have 4 sons who live all across the USA. I love the people and the life we have created in IB and I look forward to making it even better in the near future with the opening of SunCoast!
 
Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board:
I would like to be on the SunCoast board to help continue with the work that has been started. I feel invested in “getting to the finish line” with this group of amazing people on the current board. I would also like to remain on the board because I believe 100% in how important having our grocery store open in IB is to the entire community. I love the thought of so many benefiting from the work the board is doing and I would love to continue as a part of that. I also feel the work we have done to get our wonderful volunteers involved is not working as great as it could be. I am dedicated to making an easy way for the community to get involved as a SunCoast volunteer.
 
My vision for SunCoast Market: I would love for SunCoast to reach its ownership goals in 2020 so we can continue to move forward with the process of opening our store ASAP!!!!
 
My strengths: I am a current board member, serving as a part of the Outreach committee, as well as Co Chair of the SunCoast Volunteer Committee. I am an organized, behind the scenes person, who is willing to do anything to make an event successful. I have the time to be an active volunteer, who is flexible on a daily basis, and I’m willing to learn new things to help the greater goal!
 
My ideas for the next year:
**Continue our community exposure to increase ownership. Self promoting our successes.
**Support our Outreach Coordinator anyway we can. She has the ideas, we need to be the workers behind those ideas.
**Involve more people to help achieve the goals. Increase size of Outreach committee, active volunteer group, engage the business community to help support us.
 
 
Prior Board Experience
I have served on a variety of boards in the past, holding most every position thru the years. I have experience in organizing large charity events, church retreats, school functions, and was the founding member and organizer of an active womans group. Most importantly, I have been a participating SunCoast board member for the past year. I was elected to a one year term in 2019. I have been a part of the OutReach committee for 1 1/2 years and have been the co chair of the Volunteer Committee during my term on the board.

Robyn Abadie
Board Member

I moved to I.B. in 1999 from National City and I started working at YMCA Camp Surf in 2000. I was the food service director and in charge of serving healthy meals to 300 children per day. While I was director we implemented green policies such as eliminating paper products switching over to reusable coffee mugs, cloth napkins and we began composting. I volunteer and fundraise for multiple nonprofit organizations such as the Teen Challenge and Borderview YMCA and am in the process of joining Sheriff’s Senior Patrol. I’m also a community chaplain at the Rock Church.
 
Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board:
I feel I’m very good with people and love telling people about the co-op and why we need it. I want to see it through and it’s exciting to go through the process. I really enjoy the people I’m working with — we have a really good team.
 
My vision for SunCoast Market: My vision is for us to get open and to see other co-ops open in the San Diego area. Also to educate people why we need co-ops and why we need to eat healthy food.
 
My strengths: I like to talk to people and tell them about the co-op. I’m committed to bettering our earth and protecting our land. As a retired chef healthy eating and taking care of our bodies is important to me.
 
My ideas for the next year: In the next year we really need to educate people in understanding what the co-op is. I would like to see us grow our owner numbers faster through more advertising like TV, billboards and other ways. I would like to hear the mayor and council members talk more about the co-op so people can hear about it from them.
 
 
Prior Board Experience
I’ve been involved with SunCoast from the beginning and have enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors. I’ve also been a Team Leader on the Borderview YMCA Fundraising Campaign Committee.
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Meet Your Current board

Kim Rivero Frink
President

I am retired from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency where I enjoyed a 17-year career working in programs, such as public health, First 5 San Diego and Child Welfare, that promote the health and well-being of children and families. I then worked for two years as a grant writer for a local nonprofit. I am a native Californian, have lived in San Diego County for 35 years, and moved to Imperial Beach six years ago. I feel extremely lucky to live in Imperial Beach – it’s an awesome place to live and the people are amazing. I love my community and volunteer much of my time to promoting health, wellness, community engagement and opportunity for Imperial Beach residents. In addition to serving as the current Board President for SunCoast Market Co-op, I am active in the I.B. Collaborative, I.B. Chamber of Commerce, Live Well San Diego South Region Leadership Team and the County’s Community Action Partnership Community Advisory Board. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz and a master’s in public administration from San Diego State University (SDSU). In 2018, I was honored to be recognized as one of 50 distinguished alumni during the 50th anniversary celebration of SDSU’s School of Public Affairs.

 

Why I would like to be on the board:

I would like to continue to serve on the Board of Directors because: 1) I believe wholeheartedly in our mission and am excited about creating a truly special store for I.B. and surrounding communities; 2) I believe that food co-ops are so much better than chain stores and I want to do whatever I can to create a co-op for Imperial Beach; 3) We are making great progress and I would like to be a part of taking this effort to the next level and beyond.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: My vision is that our community creates a grocery store that puts people before profits — a store that cares about people’s health, the well-being of the community, and the health of the planet. My vision is a store that is a community hub for good people and good food. A place where neighbors greet neighbors and people can feel good about the food and products that they are buying for themselves and their families. My vision is that we will be so successful that we will be able to serve as a model and mentor for other underserved communities in the region that could benefit from a food co-op in their neighborhoods.

 

My strengths: 1) Because of my many years in health and human service programs, I can connect the co-op to valuable resources and strategic partners that can support our development and success; 2) I am enthusiastic and hard working and am willing to dedicate significant time each month to co-op development; 3) I have 20+ years of experience with grant writing and coordinating the development of new projects and initiatives.

 

My ideas for the next year: 1) Many co-op startups have seen their owner numbers grow after hiring a part-time person to focus on outreach and marketing. I think we need to do the same to accelerate our ownership growth. It’s difficult to expand our efforts relying on volunteer labor alone. 2) I think we need to research the costs and benefits of specific paid advertising opportunities such as billboards, streaming music services, magazine/newspaper ads, etc., and try out, and evaluate the effectiveness of paid ads. 3) I think we should try canvassing our neighborhoods so that we can pass out door hangers and talk to our neighbors that either have not heard of SunCoast or just need a little nudge to take the next step and sign up.

 

Prior board experience: I have served on the SunCoast Board since we incorporated in June 2016, am currently serving as Board President, and have been involved with SunCoast since the community meeting held at City Hall in December 2015. I was also a Board member at my son’s preschool and served multiple terms as Secretary and President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, a professional organization dedicated to excellence in public service.

Shannon Ratliff
Vice President

I was born and raised in the mid-west, the land of grocery co-ops! My husband, our two kids, and I moved from Denver to Imperial Beach 3 years ago and couldn’t be happier. We love the tight knit beach community and the happy and active vibe. Our favorite part has been how welcome we felt right away, by everyone we met but especially by the SunCoast Market family. My professional background is in healthy living and health promotion, I have a Masters degree in Health Psychology and am a certified aromatherapist. I am a strong advocate for less chemicals in our foods and products, and would love better access to local and organic foods for my family. That is why I joined SunCoast right away and have been serving as an interim board member and volunteering. I shopped my first co-op while I was in college and loved it. I’m excited to help bring SunCoast Market to life because co-ops offer such a unique and community-focused shopping experience. It’s like nothing you’ve experienced in most stores. Imperial Beach is the perfect place for a locals focused store!

 

Why I want to be on the SunCoast Market Board: 

1. I am passionate about this project. We know that the more healthy options people have, the healthier they are. I am equally as passionate about co-ops as a business model, it’s a way for people to have a stake in their store. 2. Supporting local is so important to me. Every time we leave town to buy our food, we are giving that money to other areas. If we could all buy what we need right here in our neighborhood, it would go a long way for Imperial Beach! Also, supporting local businesses makes all the difference to our neighbors who work hard to make or grow amazing things. 3. I am committed to our goal. Getting from where we are to where we need to be to open the store is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. Over the last 3 years, I have worked hard every single week to move us forward. As a volunteer and interim board member I have dedicated my time and talents to be sure that we can get the store we all deserve.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: My vision is that we have a full-service grocery store close to home that the community is proud of and supports. One that serves our unique needs by providing healthy foods, organic options, and local products to everyone. I envision a store that is welcoming and provides an exceptional shopping experience. Where shoppers feel connected to the store, to the employees, to the farmer, or to the business that provided the foods and products in their shopping cart. We can make this happen.

 

My strengths: 1. My commitment– I promise to keep showing up and serving SunCoast Market with my time and skills. 2. My leadership skills– I hope that I can continue to service the co-op through my role as a leader on the board of directors and in our outreach committee. Organizing and engaging people around a common goal is something I do well and brings me joy. 3. My communication skills– public speaking comes naturally to me and I enjoy it (a lot!) I also enjoy writing and creating marketing materials for the co-op. Being able to convey our message to a broad audience, give presentations and interviews, and talk to influencers is an important part of our growth that I have been happy to provide to the board of directors.

 

My ideas for the next year: In order to grow, we need to continue to focus on spreading the word about our store. Co-ops are a new concept to most people in our area, so it will take work to help everyone understand this amazing business model. Marketing ourselves to prospective owners is going to be an important part of our 2019-20 plan. We also need to expand to neighboring areas. We have spent much of our time focused on Imperial Beach, rightly so, and now we need to talk even more to our other neighboring towns who will also benefit from a local cooperative grocery store. Finally, we need to work on keeping our current owners informed and engaged. This can be done through some fun campaigns and more events. We need to make sure that all of our owners are voicing their opinions and are ready to become shoppers at SunCoast Market. And we want all of our owners talking to their friends and neighbors, helping us grow closer to opening day!

 

Prior board experience: SunCoast Market Interim Vice President of the Board of Directors as well as PTA and parent advisory boards over the years.

Shirley Soth
Treasurer

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 and wish to continue doing so.
 
Why I want to be on the SunCoast Market Board:
1. I’ve been working on getting a co-op in Imperial Beach for 3 years now and want to remain being a major part in this endeavor. 2. I want the community to have a great place to shop for groceries and other sundries 3. I have lots of free time and energy to give
 
My vision for SunCoast Market: To see the first day the co-op opens it’s door in the near future.
 
My strengths: Free time, lots of energy, bookkeeping skills, ability to work with different types of people and current working knowledge of the Board.
 
My ideas for the next year: 1. Increase visibility of co-op to get community committed 2. Constant advertising – flyers, newspaper, get1free magazine 3. Hold as many events in the different areas as possible
 
 
Prior Board Experience
I am a current Board member and have served on the board for 3 years. I am also currently on the condo Association Board where I live and have been for the past 5 years.

Marey Stone
Secretary

My family and I moved to from Texas to Imperial Beach about 15 years ago. We chose IB for its small town feel, the proximity to the ocean, and the sense of community found here. I love dogs, cats, and margaritas. I’m also a sucker for 80s music and messy DIY projects. When I’m not practicing dentistry in La Mesa, you can find me at the Plank. Not always, but now that I have your attention, please consider volunteering so we can get this co-op open!

 

Why I would like to be on the SunCoast board:

I’m currently on the SunCoast Board and want to do all I can to continue the work needed to open a healthy grocery store in IB. With that being said, my time is limited (see above) so if you’re interested and perhaps have more time than I do – please run for election! I promise that I’ll continue to volunteer and do everything I can to help the mission whether I have a position on the Board or not.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: SunCoast envisions a healthy community with access to quality food in a vibrant and welcoming market where anyone can be an owner and everyone can shop. Strangely enough, this coincides with my own vision perfectly.

 

My strengths: Dedication, energy, and a willingness to sample cheese.

 

My ideas for the next year: I love our events! We should continue to partner with Wild Willow Farms and continue our support of local businesses with meet-and-greet events. 60% of our current owners live in Imperial Beach, we need to reach out to surrounding communities as well.

 

Prior board experience: I’m currently part of the original SunCoast Board

Anna Kirsner
Board Member

I was born and raised in Joliet, Il. I moved to San Diego in 1996 where I met my husband. Together we are raising our twin boys in Imperial Beach. I have spent 25+ years in the restaurant business, including 6 years of ownership. My goal as a restauranteur was to provide wholesome, scratch made and delicious food to the community of Imperial Beach. We had great success however the demand of being a mom became more important. My career and experience has provided me: excellent costumer service, knowledge of food quality, food waste and food safety, employee management, inventory management, strong decision making, product branding, marketing, confidence, and leadership. My passion for quality food led me to join the SunCoast team in it’s earliest stage. I am very excited to see SunCoast become what it is now and I can not wait to walk in it’s doors to do my grocery shopping.

 

Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board: 

I am passionate about quality food. I am determined to see a natural food grocery store in our town. I feel that my background in food service and entrepreneurship can help SunCoast open it’s doors.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: Quality product, natural foods, great costumer service, clean and fun environment.

 

My strengths: Knowledge of food quality, costumer service, and day to day business operations…plus I am passionate about natural foods. Yes four things. 🙂

 

My ideas for the next year: Building a community that respects natural foods through education, gaining respect amongst the youth, and being consistent with our outreach.

 

Prior board experience: SunCoast Market Interim Board Member

Robyn Abadie
Board Member

I moved to I.B. in 1999 from National City and I started working at YMCA Camp Surf in 2000. I was the food service director and in charge of serving healthy meals to 300 children per day. While I was director we implemented green policies such as eliminating paper products switching over to reusable coffee mugs, cloth napkins and we began composting. I volunteer and fundraise for multiple nonprofit organizations such as the Teen Challenge and Borderview YMCA and am in the process of joining Sheriff’s Senior Patrol. I’m also a community chaplain at the Rock Church.
 
Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board:
I feel I’m very good with people and love telling people about the co-op and why we need it. I want to see it through and it’s exciting to go through the process. I really enjoy the people I’m working with — we have a really good team.
 
My vision for SunCoast Market: My vision is for us to get open and to see other co-ops open in the San Diego area. Also to educate people why we need co-ops and why we need to eat healthy food.
 
My strengths: I like to talk to people and tell them about the co-op. I’m committed to bettering our earth and protecting our land. As a retired chef healthy eating and taking care of our bodies is important to me.
 
My ideas for the next year: In the next year we really need to educate people in understanding what the co-op is. I would like to see us grow our owner numbers faster through more advertising like TV, billboards and other ways. I would like to hear the mayor and council members talk more about the co-op so people can hear about it from them.
 
 
Prior Board Experience
I’ve been involved with SunCoast from the beginning and have enjoyed serving on the Interim Board of Directors. I’ve also been a Team Leader on the Borderview YMCA Fundraising Campaign Committee.

Beverly Florence
Board Member/Volunteer Coordinator

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was hired by American Airlines while living in Texas. I lived in the Southwest for 30 years and completed my career with American Airlines after 29 years. I worked primarily in airport operations/customer service. I loved working as a team, in a time sensitive, high pressured environment. Setting goals on a daily basis and achieving them was and is very rewarding and the highlight of my career . I moved to Imperial Beach in 2015, falling in love with the small beach community feel. Realizing this is a town I can and do feel a part of.

 

Why I would like to be on the SunCoast board:

To be part of setting goals. Make good decisions for the Co-op and the community To be a part of making sure our Mission and Vision is always in the forefront.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: I see SunCoast Market as being a part of the Heart of Imperial Beach. A community central, where to go for fresh locally grown foods and more, updates on current happenings in our community. A place where we educate and share with our neighbors on healthier living lifestyles all in the name of Community, love, kindness and hard work. SunCoast Market will provide jobs, an opportunity and platform for small businesses and local farmers to thrive .

 

My strengths: Committed, passion and organizational skills

 

My ideas for the next year: Continue our Outreach campaign on a high level Leadership in environmental stewardship Promoting and educating on healthy nourishment for the people and the planet

 

Prior board experience: I’m currently part of the interim SunCoast Board

Ellen Smith
Board Member

I have been in software industry and Imperial Beach for over 20 years. My husband Dean and I are raising our two sons together, and when we aren’t at kids sports, we love to spend our time in the outdoors, surfing, fishing, cycling, and gardening.

 

Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board: 

Imperial Beach residents deserve a decent grocery store. I have been supporting the effort to bring a natural foods grocery store to Imperial Beach for the last 3+ years and as a founding member of our board of directors. I’m happy to continue participating in the board until I am no longer needed. My corporate leadership experience as a Director of Software Quality Engineering has been valuable at times in the SunCoast Co-Op journey. But mostly, I just want to be able to ride my bike to the grocery store.

 

My vision for SunCoast Market: I think they have the right vision: We envision a healthy community, with access to quality food in a vibrant and welcoming market, where anyone can be an owner and everyone can shop.

 

My strengths: Leadership experience, Creativity and collaboration, Concern for health and well being of ourselves, our families, and our community.

 

My ideas for the next year: Leadership experience Creativity and collaboration Concern for health and well being of ourselves, our families, and our community.

 

Prior board experience: SunCoast Market Interim Board Member

Peggy Keating
Board Member/Volunteer Coordinator

We have been coming to visit my in-laws home in IB for 20 years and decided to move here 2 years ago, leaving the North County suburbs behind and never looking back. IB is home now. I grew up in Upper Michigan, have been married to John for 37 years and we have raised 4 great sons. I am a retired RN and enjoy the peaceful, small town life that IB offers. John and I enjoy bike riding, hiking and traveling together. I have been in a book club and a bible study group for many, many years and love that time with long time friends. We look forward to being grandparents….hopefully in the not too distant future!
 
Why I want to join the SunCoast Market Board:
I know that SunCoast Market will make a difference in the quality of life in Imperial Beach and I want to be part of that movement! The folks who have been a part of this process since the beginning are amazing and I would feel honored to work next to them. The people of IB deserve this and I am willing to work hard to make it happen!
 
My vision for SunCoast Market: I see a local market where we are able to make a difference in the community by offering healthy food, education, and making it easy for IB residents to eat well, within their budgets. We will create an atmosphere of community pride and a hometown feel where all will be welcome.
 
My strengths: There are many strong and deserving candidates who should be on this board. If I am elected, I will bring great organizational skills, a strong desire to help SunCoast achieve it’s goals, as well as a solid Midwestern work ethic that won’t let me quit until the job is done! I have chaired and organized many large events and get my greatest joy seeing a project come together and sharing in the success with the team who worked hard to make it happen.
 
My ideas for the next year: I feel that all Member-Owners need to get involved in helping SunCoast achieve success. The Board cannot do this alone. There needs to be an easy way for people to offer their time and their talent. We need to continue to reach out and convince the community that they ALL need to be part of the SunCoast movement! Let’s all jump on the bandwagon and not be left behind! SunCoast needs to be everywhere we look….yard signs, posters, newspaper articles, banners… Find a way for those who would like to be financially generous to make a difference by sponsorship, tax deductible donations, and gifts to SunCoast.
 
 
Prior Board Experience
I have served on many boards thru the years. From PTA to church groups to YMCA. Currently, I am president of our condo HOA. My experience is diverse and has given me the tools to make a difference in the growth of SunCoast.
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About our Board Elections

Eligibility and Expectations

Per our Bylaws, a nomination committee will develop the process and materials for each election. Eligibility:

  • Member of a household or business/organization that has been a SunCoast owner-member for at least six months prior to date that voting opens
  • Only one individual per ownership is eligible to serve on the Board of Directors at a time
  • Eighteen years of age or older
  • Must be able to use email and Internet for Board communications
  • Is committed to a 3 year term

Below are the expectations for anyone running for a board position:

  • Candidates must understand the requirements for a Board of Directors position. Once elected, the Board will also elect it’s officers, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Position descriptions are available in the Candidate Packet.
  • Candidates must agree to and sign the Code of Conduct provided in the Candidate Packet.
  • Each candidate is expected to complete the application, including a short personal statement and photo that will be posted on this website for owner-members to view when voting. Applications were due by March 15.
  • Candidates may receive a call from the nomination committee to discuss their candidacy.
  • Each candidate is expected to attend at least 1 board meeting prior to election.
Read our bylaws View director description View Officer Description View Code of Conduct

Application Process:

  1. Download candidate packet below
  2. Review all materials
  3. Complete and submit application
  4. Attend a board meeting
  5. Complete a new candidate welcome call with the Elections Team

Candidate Timeline:

3/15 Applications Due

5/4 Voting Opens

5/22 Voting Closes

5/24 Count Votes and Notify Candidates

5/30 New Board Announced

Download Candidate Packet Complete Your Application

Voting (opens May 4)

All owner-members were sent an email newsletter (at their email address on file) announcing elections. Voting is available by mail, and online (in person voting is close due to Coronavirus). Please note: if you unsubscribed from our mailing lis, we are unable to email you a newsletter. You must re-subscribe here.

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