Board Corner: July 2026

By Tom Pandaleon

 

Management Transition

Change is the only constant in life, and this adage applies to the Co-op, as well. In June, the board received a letter of resignation from Tyler Kulp, who had been serving as our general manager since April of 2024. He brought boundless energy and commitment to his position, and his friendly and open manner welcomed our community.

Tyler gave his all to the Co-op over the past 12 years. He started his journey as our café’s assistant manager and later managed the produce department. Tyler was promoted to store operations manager in late 2023, when our previous GM, Maura Holliday, resigned. Tyler served on the interim management team (IMT) after her departure, was hired as interim GM in April of 2024, and ultimately as permanent GM in November 2024.

As our GM Tyler was responsible for negotiating an advantageous extension to our current lease, overseeing a successful capital campaign that raised $250,000 in member equity, and commencing progress on our new three-year strategic plan.

We will miss Tyler, and Pittsburgh will be lighter by about 20,000 vinyl records when he heads to Bethlehem, PA. There he will help make the dream of opening a food co-op a reality for the eager co-op enthusiasts behind that effort.

Under our bylaws, an IMT composed of our seven department managers will assume day-to-day management of the store. Most of these managers are longstanding members of our management team and have participated on both of the most recent IMTs in 2018 and 2024. The board has full confidence in their individual capacities and expertise, as well as their track record of working together productively at times like these.

There are a number of initiatives that are underway that will require an effective transition period to maintain momentum. The implementation phase of our strategic plan has gotten off to a good start, with the plan for physical changes to the store moving forward after completion of architectural plans generated by our consultants, and a lease compliance review undertaken by our lawyers. In addition, we are moving forward with equipment replacement projects, including refrigeration upgrades.

Another important matter on the horizon is the union contract negotiation coming up in March of 2027, covering the period through early 2030. With experienced hands on both sides of that negotiation, we look forward to maintaining our position as a successful business where employees want to work.

 

Product Boycott Decision

At the June 15th board meeting, following an advisory referendum vote, the board voted on the matter of whether or not the Co-op would implement a boycott of Israeli-sourced products in our store. Members familiar with the national co-op landscape may know that at least two other food co-ops around the country have had membership discussions and votes on the same matter.

Back in November 2025, at our annual meeting, the board received a valid member petition requesting a binding member referendum on the question. Over the course of the ensuing months the board conducted a number of research initiatives. These included an online survey where more than 150 members offered thoughtful and informative comments, and a virtual special meeting facilitated by a third-party moderator. The board subsequently voted to proceed with an advisory referendum, with voting taking place online during the month of May.

A total of 611 members cast their votes: 308 (50.4%) voted in favor, 298 (48.8%) voted in opposition, and 5 (0.8%) were uncertain. The referendum vote represented approximately 4% of the Co-op’s membership.

The board ultimately voted against enacting a boycott of Israeli-sourced products. As fiduciaries, the board has a legal duty to safeguard the Co-op’s financial and operational stability. These include potential loss of revenue if members or customers choose to disengage, possible exposure to legal challenges, and the risk of affecting our eligibility for public programs such as SNAP that many members rely on (under Title 62 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, an anti-BDS law adopted in 2016).

The board recognizes that events in the Middle East are deeply concerning and that members hold a wide range of perspectives. Our role as a board is not to resolve these differences, but to ensure that the Co-op remains a welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable community resource for all. We believe it is possible to be true to our values while also respecting each other’s opinions and embracing our differences.