About our Board
The Board of Directors develops guiding policies for the Co-op, assures performance and fiscal responsibility, provides a link to members, and helps define the broader vision of the Co-op. These responsibilities are spelled out in our Policy Governance Manual and our By-Laws.
Board Meetings
Due to the rapid expansion in COVID cases, we will meet virtually this month.
Webb Hall Rm 159 (1st fl rear), Eastern Rd, ECSU Campus, Willimantic, CT 06226
The Board is developing the following master calendar that includes when policies need to be monitored as well as other events that occur throughout the year.
Meeting Minutes Archive:
Willimantic Food Co-op – Board of Directors’ Meeting
Click on a date to view or download a PDF document of the meeting’s minutes:
2023 ArchiveJanuary 2023
February 2023
March 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
August 2023
September 2023
October 2023
2022 Archive
January 2022
February 2022
March 2022
April 2022
May 2022
May 2022 – Annual Meeting
June 2022
July 2022
August 2022
September 2022
October 2022
November 2022
December 2022
2021 Archive
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
May 2021 – Annual Meeting
June 2021
July 2021
August 2021
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
2020 Archive
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
2019 Archive
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
April 2019 – Annual Meeting
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019
2018 Archive
January 2018
February 2018
March 2018
April 2018
April 2018 – Annual Meeting
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
2017 Archive
January 2017
February 2017 – Meeting cancelled
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017
2016 Archive
January 2016
February 2016
March 2016
April 2016
April 2016 – Annual Meeting
May 2016
June 2016
July 2016
August 2016
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
2015 Archive
January 2015
February 2015
March 2015
April 2015
April 2015 – Annual Meeting
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015 – No meeting held
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
2014 Archive
2013 Archive
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
April 2013 – Annual Meeting
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
2012 Archive
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012 – Annual Meeting
September 2012 – No meeting held
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
2011 Archive
Annual Report Archive:
Click on a date to view or download a PDF document of an Annual Report:
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Annual Report 2020
Meet the Board
Board of Directors:
Linda Brock – Chair (2025)
Linda is pleased to find a vibrant, thriving cooperative here in Willimantic, after a few decades of “homesickness” for her early co-op experience with the venerable Weavers’ Way in Philadelphia. She believes that organic and fresh foods are important for both physical and spiritual nourishment, and enjoys supporting the Co-op’s endeavors by serving as scribe for Board meetings. She and her husband Mark live in Windham Center with more cats than strictly necessary and the occasional itinerant male offspring.
Niti Pandey – Vice Chair (2025)
Niti Pandey grew up in India and moved to the US in 2001 to pursue her doctorate at the University of Illinois. She joined Eastern Connecticut State University in 2012 as a faculty member and is currently a Professor of management and Dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies and Graduate Division at Eastern. Niti lives in the historic Victorian Willimantic neighborhood and strongly values sustainability, social justice, and equity and believes that the Co-op plays a crucial role in serving the community.
Joanne Todd – Treasurer (2025)
Joanne Todd grew up in Willimantic and lives in Scotland. She believes that the Food Co-op is important to the Willimantic Community. She is privileged to serve on the Board and contribute to the Co-op’s vitality. Joanne is President/CEO of Northeast Family Federal Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative where she began as a teller. She holds a BS in Accounting and a MBA from the University of Connecticut.
Matthew Coolbeth – Secretary (2023)
Matthew grew up in Ashford and Mansfield and first became acquainted with the Co-op while living in Willimantic as a student at the University of Connecticut, from which he holds a BS and MS in Computer Science. He has 16 years of experience as a software engineer and 6 years of experience as a parent. Matthew believes the Co-op is an important institution that helps define the character of the Willimantic Region and serves the local community in myriad ways. He also sees community-scale organizations and local, small-scale agriculture as crucial means of building a more ecologically-friendly global society. When he is not working, Matthew reads about obscure programming languages, frets about ecological degradation, and tromps around in the forest with his kid.
Katherine Gavin – Director (2024)
Katherine (she/her & they/them) joined the Co-op when she moved to Willimantic full time in 2020 and joined the board last year. Katherine is in a graduate degree program at UConn and lives in downtown Willimantic with her partner. They love that the Co-op helps connect her with the community as well as provides them unique and local food options. Part of the reason Katherine joined the Co-op and the board was to deepen their connection to the Willimantic community, since they moved to town during the early stages of the pandemic, so if you see her in the store or around town please feel comfortable introducing yourself!
Brock Alosky – Director (2025)
Brock has been around the region for his entire life and currently lives in Tolland with his wife and dog. He first became a member when he was studying for his undergraduate degree at UConn and has been a frequent shopper of the Co-op ever since. He believes that local agriculture and sustainable food practices are paramount to healthy living and that it allows people to fully live their lives. Brock holds a BA in Economics from UConn and his MBA from Purdue University. When he is not working Brock enjoys a good hike, fly fishing and cooking.
Steven Bachiochi – Director (2023)
Steven has been a Co-op member since moving to town years ago. He is the owner of Grounded Coffee Company in Willimantic. He also works for Horizons Inc. He has developed a connection to this community over the last five years. He loves the Co-op and thinks it is a fantastic place. You will often see him, his wife Victoria and daughter Beatrice wandering the aisles. He is very invested in the community and will use his time on the board to further enhance the Willimantic and food Co-op community.
Directors – WFC Staff:
Alice Rubin (General Manager) – Director – Management seat
Alice started her career in working cooperatively as a warehouse worker and truck driver for CT Co-ops – a wholesaler which later merged to become part of Northeast Cooperatives. She has worked at the Willimantic Food Co-op since 1984.
Open – Director – Staff seat
Key Personnel:
Kimberly Montoya – Board Scribe
Patty Smith (Operations Manager)
Get Involved with a Committee!
The Co-op needs members to serve on committees to guide the direction of our Co-op. If you have skills or expertise with a particular committee and want to help make a difference or help move the Co-op toward the goals set by the board, call to be included in the next committee meeting. Even if you are just considering it, give a call and sit in on the next meeting. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate.