Alex Gyori, a staple item at the Brattleboro Food Co-op for many years, has announced his intentions of retiring. The news comes in the latest issue of Food for Thought, the Co-op’s newsletter to shareholders.
He says in part, “In ten months, and the end of this fiscal year, I will be moving on to another phase of life after 33 years of service to the Co-op. This phase is often referred to as retirement, but I am hoping it will be a lot more than that – I still have plenty of energy and enthusiasm! Nevertheless, the Co-op will benefit from new directions and fresh eyes, so to speak.”
He also says that Dick Ernst, Store manager, is retiring next March after 22 years at the Co-op
no comments?
211 reads, and NO ONE in the Brattleboro area is commenting on this? Wow. Did this announcement catch the board by surprise? I would have thought, given the several controversies and difficulties the coop has had that the board would have some sort of statement as to its initial reaction and thoughts on how they might proceed. Perhaps, given the length of time they have to deal with this, they could open up a dialogue with the coop members and employees on what they want for a general manager for the future, what the goals and vision should be for the organization, and how the board might approach this opportunity to embark on purposeful process for an orderly and productive transition.
Members's forum
There was a members’ forum about the future of the coop about 2 weeks ago, which I was unable to attend.
Perhaps someone who was there can post a story or a comment telling the world what was discussed there. I have known Alex for more than 30 years, during which time we have had a variety of conversations, sometimes serious, often with a touch of humor. I wish Alex the very best.
Hopefully he will continue to be available to share his experience with coop leadership, especially during the transition.
There was an announcement two
There was an announcement two or three months ago. That would explain why no one is responding now.
Thirty years is a long long time. Alex has steered the co-op a long long way. We’re fortunate that he is providing the co-op plenty of time to decide what kind of leadership it wants and find the right person. There’s only a tiny pool of co-operatively oriented, schooled and food retail experienced people out there to choose from. Let alone who among them is desirous and suited to take the reins in Brattleboro. It’s extremely risky going outside the co-op world for leadership inside. When a person is at the top it’s very difficult to channel them in the direction you want. The fact of the matter is that an understanding and dedication to co-operative principles and ideals, and knowing how to infuse them into all aspects of the business is at least if not more critical than business skills. If all levels of staff are imbued with the co-op spirit and like their jobs they will see to it that the place runs as efficiently as possible. If the personal connections, part an parcel with co-operative ideals, begin to weaken it won’t matter how smart the GM. Northeast Co-ops and a long list of others cases in point.
There’s a good chance we’re headed into a period of momentous change. Again! Going back to the Flat Street store the co-op seems to be reinventing itself every decade. In a way it’s tiring and unsettling and yet it the end each transition has proven exciting, refreshing and beneficial. I sigh to think this but the world itself is in a pretty unsettled state and, until we can do something to calm it we are forced into an adapt or die choice. I do believe that the co-operative spirit, stressed and ragged as it may be at the moment, along with local ownership and control, efficiencies in the physical space and the tight ties with local producers will in the end find the co-op standing when the chained groceries weaken and fall.
This is also a important and ripe moment for the union. It should have the better part of a year of relative store calm and stability during the co-op leadership transition to focus and develop itself and its relationship with management. It should be negotiating some role in the transition process in terms of input and recommendations. The final decision is of course the Board’s alone.
Anyone being groomed?
The newsletter announcement was the first I heard anything official.
I agree that it will be a momentous change. Often there is a period of stumbling after a long-time leader steps down, but things do continue, evolve, and take their course.
I bet there will be a great temptation to get someone who knows grocery store operation, and a Whole Foods candidate might look quite appealing.
One would think that with 30 years of Co-oping in Brattleboro, an excellent crew of in-house people has been nurtured and groomed for this eventuality. Long term employees with solid knowledge of the community and Co-op would be good candidates. The board could have someone receiving necessary business training right now if they want to go that route.
As with most changes, it will be interesting to watch.
Follow your dreams
Good luck Alex and Dick. Follow your dreams.
I’m sure the board, shareholders and community will transition nicely as the handover proceeds.