There are three seats with terms ending this year and each member is seeking re-election. Co-op owners can vote at our annual meeting on May 5. including the following:

Andrea Larson Perez

About four years ago, I was happy to become a member of the co-op Board of Directors after working at the co-op for three years as a part-time cashier. I have witnessed and been a part of the fastest growth period our co-op has enjoyed in its 45-year history. About the time I joined the Board, the organization was beginning to take steps toward expansion. It has been a joy to be a part of the entire process from visioning, strategic planning and community engagement right up to today when you can visit the site and see the walls going up!

Recently, I was honored to accept the position as Board President. I’d like to ask for your vote to continue serving in this role to see the expansion project through to completion, and on to executing our organizational goals to expand the good work of the Astoria Co+op for years to come! As a Board member, I work to be a good listener who is open and responsive.

I have more than 30 years’ experience in marketing, advertising and public relations, including positions with local newspapers and healthcare providers as well as offering consulting services to local businesses. My husband and I have lived in Astoria since 1998, raised our two sons here and plan to stay! 

Todd Holm

I have been a board member since October of 2015 and have truly enjoyed helping make our co-op the go-to grocery store in Astoria. My background in banking, specifically working with businesses, gives me knowledge to share with our dynamic group as we get closer to opening the new store. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in making this shared vision a reality. I am most proud of helping raise the capital that we needed to get our new store under construction.

My wife, Lyuba and I have been here since early 2009 and love our community and all that this area has to offer. Some of my favorite activities are fishing, clamming, crabbing and foraging for mushrooms and this area has an abundance of all that!

I am seeking another term so that I can continue our work of making Astoria Co+op the greatest community food store around as well as seeing this new store project through completion.

Allie Evans

I was first introduced to the idea of cooperative living while in college in Ann Arbor, MI.  I began living, shopping and working cooperatively and the rest was history. I have been on the Board of Astoria Co+op for the past decade, serving as both a member and as president. It is with joy that I handed over the presidency this year, and am able to take a different role but still be an active member of the Board. It has been so fulfilling to be a part of the new store from the stage of a seed in the soil until this stage of seeing walls being constructed.

As a physician, I see how people suffer when they are disconnected from their tribe and sense of community. Working toward a more cooperative world is something I think can have profound change at the level of the individual as well as the world.

Something that brings me great joy, is seeing a group of unique individuals come together with a common goal and work in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, open-mindedness and active listening.  Being a part of the Board embraces this type of human interaction and beauty. It reminds me that we can make amazing things happen when we build each other up and believe in and honor one another.