The Board of Directors is the backbone of the co-op. They insure the needs of co-op members are being met. The directors work as a team to set policy, hire and evaluate the general manager, maintain the fiduciary responsibility of the co-op and represent the membership as it creates the vision that guides the cooperative into the future.

The Wheatsfield Board of Directors is composed of eight co-op members. In the fall of 2009, the membership voted to change the bylaws to allow the number of directors to grow to eleven to accommodate the growing demands of the larger store. Each year, if there is a contested election, Wheatsfield members elect fellow members to serve on the board. If you are interested in running for the board, please see the sidebar to the left.

Below are your current board members, get to know them!

Penny Brown Huber

Occupation: Executive Director of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and Grow Your Small Market Farm ™

Board Member Since: 2007

Why I Serve on the Board:  It was invigorating working on the store’s expansion project and now looking to the future. We have lots of opportunities to serve our members, customers and the community. I serve on the Board because I know that the co-op brings such a unique and important business to downtown Ames and is an important piece to creating a sustainable community.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: Rudi’s 7-Grain Bread, TJ Farm Eggs and the Edamame and Olive Salad from the Deli.

Bruce Calhoun

Occupation: Land Use Planning and Design Consultant, REALTOR ®

Board Member Since: 2009

Why I Serve on the Board: My motivation to be part of the Wheatsfield community and of its leadership is evolving.  I recently watched the film “Food Matters” which made me acutely aware of the profound and growing conflict between the origins of modern medicine, “Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food” – Hippocrates - the founding father of modern medicine, and medicine today, “the trillion dollar worldwide ‘sickness industry” of nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what’s wrong with our malnourished bodies.”  Wheatsfield is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role locally in the critical matter of good health and healing, and I want to be a part of that.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: fresh in-season, local produce

Chris Corbin

Occupation: Vegetable Farmer at TableTop Farm

Board Member Since: 2009

Why I Serve on the Board: It is an outlet for me to participate in local food democracy. Serving on the Board allows me to have a deeper connection with my co-op.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: any light bean fair trade coffee

Rachel Dakarian

Occupation: Development Researcher, ISU Foundation

Board Member Since: 2012

Why I Serve on the Board: Serving on the Wheatsfield Board is an opportunity to emphasize my loyalty to the co-op and give my time to support a vital community resource.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: local Brussels Sprouts, sesame sticks in bulk, dolmas and the Golden Beet & Kale Salad from the deli

Stefan Gailans

Occupation: Graduate Research Assistant, ISU Agronomy

Board Member Since: 2011

Why I Serve on the Board: I serve my favorite grocery store in Ames. I love the sense of community and well being that Wheatsfield Cooperative promotes. The continued expansion of the consumer base, availability of products sourced locally, and interaction between directors and members are my goals for the store.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: Gunpowder green tea in the bulk section and Iowa-made beer!

Matt Liebman

Occupation: Professor of Agronomy and H.A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, ISU

Board Member Since: 2008

Why I Serve on the Board: I enjoy serving on the board because it feels like a good way to make sustainably grown food more available and sustainable farming more viable. Serving on the board is also a good way to learn about many positive facets of the Ames community.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: I have many favorites, but there rarely passes a day when I don't eat Greek Gods yogurt!

Gina McAndrews

Occupation: Real Estate Agent

Board Member Since: 2006

Why I Serve on the Board: I serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors in order to give back to our community, help build a stronger co-op, and most specifically to support Wheatsfield’s role as a leader, provider and educator in supporting the viability and expansion of local and more sustainable food systems in the central Iowa region.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: bulk items, especially Muesli, local grass fed beef, ice cream and coffee

Karen Youngberg

Occupation: Co-owner of Ames Silversmithing

Board Member Since: 2011

Why I Serve on the Board: I am a long standing member of Wheatsfield.  I wanted to give back to this great business and felt I could be of service to the store in areas of its business and financial operations.

Favorite Product at the Co-op: Fentiman's Dandelion and Burdock drink/soda. It is so refreshing!