Board Corner: July 2025

By Tom Pandaleon

 

Strategic Plan

In early March, the EEFC engaged Procopia, a small local nonprofit consultancy, to provide guidance on the drafting of our 2026-2028 Strategic Plan.  During April and May, our GM met with Jake Seltman and Will Tolliver of Procopia to draft the details of a proposed 3-year plan.  During that time, the Board participated by reviewing iterations of the plan, providing feedback to the GM and the consultants.

EEFC held two open Member meetings during May to take public comments on a plan summary given to Members at the meetings. Our GM provided an overview of the plan and additional information in response to the questions asked by those in attendance.

In addition, two staff meetings were held during that period, to provide staff with the opportunity to give feedback on the plan summary and voice ideas on the direction of the co-op.

Strategic plans have long been a staple of our cooperative business.  Our latest, along with its comprehensive implementation component will be completed by the end of June.  It will provide a vision of where the EEFC needs to be in the year 2028, along with the organizational steps necessary to get there.  It has become clear lately that the Pittsburgh grocery business sector is becoming crowded.  The Strategic Plan maps out the steps for EEFC to thrive during that period while keeping its identity as a values-driven business that has and will continue to give our members and the wider community a grocery store that provides a real alternative to the big-box behemoths that concentrate wealth and limit opportunity for consumers.

 

New Board Members

In May, the Board solicited applications from the Membership to fill two Board seats left vacant by resignations.  The Board interviewed the three very well-qualified Members who applied and now welcomes to the Board Frank Noll and Dominika Blach, who have agreed to fill those positions.   Each will be serving out the remainder of the third year of the vacated Board seats.

 

Frank Noll

Frank became a member in 2004,  and he brings experience in real estate development and bookkeeping to his seat on the board.  Currently Frank volunteers much of his time as a Tech Lead at Co-op neighbor Protohaven Makerspace.  He is also an avid gardener, and in 2023 won a Phipps sustainable garden award for his edible garden, which is abundant in fruit trees.

 

Dominika Blach

Dominika joined EEFC three years ago and currently serves as the Director of Applications at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, leading efforts to build and maintain the technology systems that support CFB’s work. She is passionate about supporting local food systems.  A lifelong collector of glass jars, Dominika has a particular love for the Co-op’s bulk section.