As the Co-op continues to grow, our community is faced with a variety of challenging questions to answer and decisions to make. Fortunately, we have a lot of dedicated community members who are willing to come together as a group and help us make those decisions. Each individual brings incredible talent, expertise, and experience to the cooperative, and for that we are very grateful. Let us introduce this year’s advisory board:
Ernie Baragar, passionate co-op member, great gardener, with a background in economics
Manny Becerra, creative principal, web designer, developer and communications with PACE Creative Media Co. (720 Tahoe Street Collective)
With the assistance of the Force, Manny channels his energy in helping community-based organizations/causes share their stories through a combination of Web, design, social media, video, iPhone apps and photography; by extension, he’s excited and grateful to be a part of the Great Basin Community Food Co-op’s story telling journey, and strongly believes in what the GBCFC stands for. As he likes to say: Onward!
Lucinda Berdon, general manager of the Quincy Food Co-op
Neil Bertrando
Neil Bertrando, member of Transition Reno and permaculture design specialist.
Robert Blesse, co-chair of Slow Food Reno, director of Black Rock Press
Jaci Goodman
Amanda Burden and Jaci Goodman, publisher and editor of Edible Reno-Tahoe
Keith Ganey
Keith Ganey, associate at Gunderson Law Firm and current co-op volunteer
Alex Gamboa
Alex Gamboa, Envirolution executive director
Alex believes the GBCFC is an extremely important asset to our community and for our movement toward a more sustainable region. They (GBCFC) have demonstrated immense success so far and there is a lot of opportunity for the Co-op to continue its growth. He’s honored to be on the Advisory Board and will work diligently to help in any way he can.
Melissa Gilbert-Kent
Melissa Gilbert-Kent, former GBCFC board member, author of the delicious cookbook Tasajarra Dinner and Desserts
Melissa wants to see the Co-op thrive and to support local farmers and small local businesses. Melissa is also committed to helping create equal access to clean, healthy food.
Joe (Edmund) Gorman
Joe Gorman is an attorney in Reno who focuses his practice on estate planning and business issues. Joe believes that healthy, locally-sourced foods can solve many of our social ills. In his spare time, he enjoys getting his hands dirty in his garden and in the area’s smorgasbord of outdoor pursuits.
Pauline Hamilton
Pauline Hamilton, founder of the Great Basin Basket CSA and co-founder of the GBCFC
Pauline was born in Chile and moved to the USA when she was twenty. She has dedicated herself to being of service to the community while advocating to create sustainable environments of cooperation between industry and people. Pauline founded Herb Trade Organics fifteen years ago; a supplier of certified organic ingredients to then, an emerging organic food industry. Since selling her shares in this company, she has worked tirelessly as a food activist in Northern Nevada: as a founding mother of our beloved Great Basin Community Food Coop and co-creator and coordinator of the Great Basin Food Basket, the largest Community Supported Agriculture effort in Nevada.
“Earth and social justice are rooted deep in my being and I am committed to creating a sustainable future for all.”
Nick Hinz, former co-op board member and current UNR research geologist
Nick Hinz
The GBCFC’s mission and future is something that Nick holds dear. Nick has been involved with our Co-op either as an in-store member-worker, member of the finance committee or BOD member since 2007. Nick is also a current board member and treasurer of Slow Food Reno.
Kimberly Phipps-Nichol
Kimberly Phipps-Nichol, President and designer, Blue Water Studios, background in green development
Kimberly is a local food lover and environmental activist that designs healthy, high-performance, inspiring workplaces. Kimberly volunteered at the co-op’s original location for almost three (3) years before designing the current location on Plumas Street. She looks forward to working with this great Advisory Board on the planning and design of the new space as well.
Tanya McCaffery
Tanya McCaffery, President of the CFO group, CPA and a member of the GBCFC finance committee
Bill Mewaldt, organic farmer in Fallon, NV
Gino Scala
Gino Scala, local grower from Great-ful Gardens and 20+ years of sales expertise
Gino is providing the GBCFC direction on a support kitchen and food production.
Jana Vanderhaar
Jana Vanderhaar, master in landscape architecture, Interpretive Gardens, Inc., the River School, Friends of Nevada Organics, member of Transition Reno, and co-op supporter
As a landscape architect in training, Jana has seen the impact we can have on the landscape with what we grow and how we grow it. In order to have healthy water, air, food and bodies, Jana has made it her life passion to study and practice growing organically and living sustainably.
She’s been a passionate supporter of the Co-op from the start, mainly because of the community it creates, and the link to local farmers it offers. “From helping out at the register while the store was still in the little back room of the first location, to organizing the annual seedling sales and farm tours, it’s all worth it to get people and food together sharing a healthy plate,” Jana shares. “It’s an honor being on the Advisory Board advocating local and organic food production, processing and consumption!”
David Woods
David Woods, commercial real estate associate with CB Richard Ellis
