Board Report

By Marcy Cordes, Board President

On behalf of both current and past Board Members, I'd like to use this issue of the newsletter to bid a fond farewell to Dan Foley, out-going General Manager, who's done a truly exceptional job in leading the Wedge through some challenging and changing times. Dan is modest, and probably wouldn't want me to get too carried away extolling his accomplishments during his tenure at the Wedge. But I feel compelled to list just a few of his finer moments:

During his fifteen years as general manager, the Wedge Co-op has grown from $1.5 million in annual sales to nearly 25 million, and from 200 members to more than 11,000. He built the store in 1991 and oversaw the expansion in 1997 that doubled its size, ushering in new sales and productivity achievements that solidified the co-op's national reputation.

In 2000, he was awarded the Cooperative Service Award at the CCMA conference, in recognition of the leadership role he played on the national stage. He continued this role with leadership positions on co-op boards as well as other regional and national cooperative associations, including the new NCGA board, all in the name of cooperative betterment. He has combined the goals of meeting member product needs and adherence to the co-op principles with a strong belief in staff development and customer service, all while maintaining exceptional profitability.

Without fanfare, Dan pioneered the development of co-op management. When food co-ops were founded in the 1970s, idealism fostered a movement of stores to meet the growing need for organic and natural foods. Only a few were able to combine their cooperative spirit with business savvy. Dan always recognized the significance of this "dual bottom-line," as well as the importance of providing a great shopping experience. His Wedge legacy includes the preservation of co-op integrity in the face of increasing competition in what is now a multi-billion dollar natural foods industry.

He's approached his role with a strong will, tremendous knowledge, and respect for staff and co-op members. But change is, of course, a constant in all of our lives. If you see Dan before he ventures off to the great northwestern United States, be sure and thank him for his contribution to the tremendous success of the Wedge. He will be missed.