Honest
SLATE
Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Community Newsletter for Membership • Staff • Governance • Management Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.
SeptemBer 2O21
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667
honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/
Chief Cooperative Officer Bids Farewell “It’s Time to ‘Close the Chapter’” What first brought you to Honest Weight? Rick worked for the Golub Corporation’s Price Chopper for 40 years as a purchasing director. When he was laid off along with several others there in April 2016 and heard that HWFC was seeking a CCO, he applied. Honest Weight offered him the CCO position following his second interview.
pandemic induced unforeseen challenges (“I never would have dreamed of this”), Covid failed to hasten his departure; if anything, he said, it sustained him. “We did well working through it and continue to…When you are in a leadership position, it’s not easy. It can be draining anywhere, not just here. Member-Owners and staff depend on you to lead [them] through.”
He did look at other positions, including one involving purchasing for Albany Med and another with Rivers Casino, then in the planning stage; but a future with HWFC took the lead once he received a firm offer.
“Honest Weight is now much more of a relevant household name.” Proving Potential In his first 18 months at HWFC, we were able to take steps to refinance the business and consolidate loans. This put us on the path toward cutting through what he continued on page 3
“We are a different retailer.”
Did you foresee a specific time frame for your work here? Nothing was etched in stone; “I take it as it comes.” While the
honestslate@honestweight.coop
1. Rick did not consider working anywhere else when the CCO position became available. 2. During a power outage, Rick slept in the café one night. 3. Rick is from the same area that the store occupies. 4. Rick’s favorite department is Wellness. 5. The first item on Rick’s bucket list is climbing the Himalayas. Answers appear on page 3.
Managing the Pandemic During the past year and a half, Rick reported, we had to make ongoing decisions with the safety of all in mind. To keep sales steady, HWFC took the same measures as did conventional stores to stay open such as establishing senior shopping hours and implementing Instacart delivery services.
Additionally, Marketing and Membership instituted our unique style of curbside shopping. It grew organically and would not have happened in a conventional store, according to our CCO. “We put it together quickly, with [staff] redirecting their energies to make it happen.” Staff playing a critical role included Education & Engagement Specialist Deanna Beyer, Community Relations Specialist Amy Ellis, and Membership Manager Yevette Buddeau along with trained Member-Owners who were recruited to help.
True or False?
CONTENTS
Rick Mausert What were your successes as CCO? “Driving results on the business side of operations and cutting expenses.” When Rick arrived in 2016, we were in transition between management systems. Previously a 3-person “leadership team” had been in charge; at that time, he noted, operations needed a way to “set up guide rails.” Additionally, during his tenure, legal fees were reduced 70–80%. (Earlier, habitual and frequent queries to the Co-op’s attorneys drove up excessive billable hours.) “A focus on all expense lines is key in helping to deliver budgeted results.”
)
Run: GRC Candidacy Open ........ 2 Art Walk Event .......................... 2 August Coupon Stats ................ 2 Play a Part in the ENC!............... 4 Hand Dryers Save $................... 4 Lowering Lectin Risks................ 5 Q&A........................................... 6 September Board Decisions...... 8 Committee Corner..................... 9 Co-Opportunities..................... 10 https://www.honestweight.coop/
