Newly hired Co+Op Manager Michael J. Anderson and his family. Courtesy photo
CO+OP News:
The Los Alamos Co+operative Market Board of Directors has announced that Michael J. Anderson has accepted the position of general manager at the store.
Anderson has made a career working in the specialty foods industry, most recently as the associate director of retail at Murray’s Cheese in New York City and as the cave manager and production supervisor at Saxelby Cheesemongers in Brooklyn.
“I thrive on working closely with local producers of excellent food and helping to sustain food systems by giving people a place they love to shop,” Anderson said. “I have experience in all areas of staff management, including training and development. Most of all, I love to be able to provide customers with a shopping experience that is not merely pleasant, but fun and fulfilling.”
The Board is confident that Anderson’s skill set, combined with assistance from National Co+op Grocers (NCG), will strengthen and grow LACM.
“I have been very impressed and inspired by the level of dedication on the parts of the Co+op’s staff, management and board,”Anderson said. “Despite the challenges of the past year, the staff—with assistance from NCG—have already started LACM on an upward trend, which I’m thrilled to be able to step in and lead forward.”
In the short term, Anderson hopes to buckle down on retail basics such as effective merchandising, stocking and signage. In the long term, he wants the Co+op to be the premier source for local produce, meat, grocery and prepared foods, as well as a community hub for locally minded and ecologically concerned folks throughout the Los Alamos area.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the people of the Los Alamos community better,” he said. “I have had great luck in my interactions so far and can’t wait to build better relationships with our neighbors, both personally and professionally.”
In addition to staff, members and customers, those neighbors include local farmers and ranchers.
“Since moving to New Mexico, I’ve been eager to find a position where I can connect food producers and consumers in a meaningful, mutually beneficial way,” Anderson said, noting that he’s been pleasantly surprised by the area’s thriving farmers markets. “The co-op model in general—and Los Alamos in particular—is a perfect setting in which to make these connections.”
Anderson expects to start working full time in April. Until then, he’ll be spending lots of time with his daughters, ages 2.5 and 9 months. His other hobbies include reading, cooking, playing music and enjoying the outdoors.
After Anderson transitions into the GM position, Interim General Manager Rebekah Valentine will transfer to the position of grocery manager and will continue to be a valuable asset to the store. The Co+op Board would like to express its gratitude to Valentine, who worked tirelessly to increase sales, build a strong team, and make the Co+op an enjoyable place to work and shop.
The Board would also like to thank the General Manager Search Committee, especially Chairwoman Megan Green, who spent countless hours reading resumes, scheduling and conducting interviews, and working with consultants to ensure that Board selected the right general manager for the Co+op.
“I think I can speak for the whole Board when I say that we are very excited to have found someone so qualified for the position and so passionate about taking on this role,” Green says. “I appreciate all the members and customers who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of the past year, and I hope you will all stop in to meet our new general manager and welcome him into our community!”
