A core cooperative principle is democratic member control, which means that members can participate in making certain decisions for the co-op. This comes to life for PCC through our Annual Election when members can vote for candidates to serve on the co-op’s Board of Trustees (Board).
PCC’s Board of Trustees provides critical oversight of and assistance to the leadership team in setting and achieving the co-op’s operational, environmental and social goals. The Board participates in financial planning and budgeting; approves material changes in the co-op’s operations; reviews the results of ongoing business projects; and ensures that the co-op is functioning in line with its stated vision, mission and values.
Voting opens online April 15 at 12:01 A.M. PDT and closes April 29 at 5 P.M. PDT.
Each year the Board and the leadership team determine what skills on the Board of Trustees would be most valuable to navigate PCC’s short- and long-term strategic goals and then evaluate the extent to which those skills are adequately represented amongst existing trustees. The Governance and Membership Committee (GMC) of the Board then solicits applicants for the upcoming election with the requisite skills.
In late 2024, informed by the co-op’s current strategic priorities, the Board and leadership team determined that a trustee with organizational transformation or grocery/fresh food operations experience would be the most valuable addition to the Board. In addition to these skills, a passion for PCC’s mission, vision and values and diverse representation are important, along with for-profit board experience as a plus. Each member of the Board of Trustees was tasked with reaching out to their networks of professional colleagues to seek candidates with the identified skill sets, and members were notified through PCC’s Sound Consumer publication as well.
In November 2024, PCC Community Markets commenced the 2025 Board of Trustees application process. In the current election cycle, there are three seats on the Board up for election. Two Board incumbents (Angela Owen, the current Board chairperson, and Cindy Bolton, the current chair of the Audit and Finance Committee) submitted applications to be considered to serve another term on the Board.
This year, PCC received more than 20 requests for a Board application package, and a number of individuals submitted applications for consideration. The GMC, the CEO and other Board members interviewed six applicants.
Based on this assessment, the Board has placed the following individuals on the ballot: Cindy Bolton, Will Daugherty, Angela Owen, and Errol Schweizer. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.
Elected candidates will serve a term of three years, expiring at our Annual Members’ Meeting in 2028.
Has served on the board since 2019. Current term expires in 2025.
Committees: Chair, Audit & Finance
Cindy has been a PCC member for over 20 years and chair of PCC’s Audit & Finance Committee for the past 3 years. She brings 25+ years of leadership experience in strategy, finance, and operations in global, startup, and nonprofit organizations and has been the Chief Financial Officer at Seattle Art Museum since 2016. She is passionate about community-oriented organizations and is also Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for KEXP and Board Vice Chair and Audit & Finance Committee Chair for AAA-Washington. Outside of work, Cindy enjoys hanging out with her two teenagers (when they let her) and is an avid live music fan.
President and CEO of Pacific Science Center. Values-driven leader deeply committed to serving the community. Passionate about equity, sustainability, and healthy food systems. Professional highlights include organizational transformation at PacSci, making DEI central to all of PacSci’s work, and more than 30 years of executive leadership including at Amazon, Expedia and McKinsey. Strategic thinker who leads with curiosity, an understanding of the innovation economy, an aptitude for constructive disruption, and a heart for service. Board service includes BECU (a member-owned co-op), KEXP, Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, and Downtown School. Avid backpacker, dog lover, and budding organic farmer.
Has served on the board since 2019. Current term expires 2025.
Committees: Chair, Board of Trustees
Angela is an experienced omni-channel retail executive with a background in merchandising and marketing for mission-driven specialty outdoor and pet brands. A PCC Trustee since 2019 and current chairperson of the Board. Angela has extensive experience in retail strategy, category management, and customer experience. She has held leadership roles at REI Co-op and startups in the e-commerce and pet care industries. Additionally, Angela has served on the boards of Destination Pet and the non-profit Conservation Alliance. She enjoys cooking and traveling.
Errol, a resident of Austin, Texas, has over 30 years of food industry experience with a focus on natural and organic foods. From 2002 to 2016 he held operations and regional buying roles at Whole Foods, and he led their national grocery team from 2009 to 2016. Subsequently, he served as advisor, consultant and co-founder to numerous brands, cooperatives and independent retailers. Former board member of Austin Food Policy Board, Non GMO Project, Demeter USA and Farmshare Austin. Co-founded The Checkout Podcast, publishes Checkout Grocery Update, Forbes contributor, and member of IPES-Food — an international food policy research organization.
A: You are eligible to vote if you were an active member of PCC Community Markets (PCC) on March 12, 2025, the record date set by the Board of Trustees. Only those in whose name the membership is issued may vote.
Q: HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M AN “ACTIVE” MEMBER?
A: You are an active member of PCC if you have paid your membership fee in full and you have used your membership at least once between March 13, 2024 and March 12, 2025. To find out if you are an active member, log into your online account at pccmarkets.com/my-account.
Q: HOW CAN I VOTE?
A: You can vote online. Eligible members who have given PCC a valid email address by April 3, 2025 will receive an email on April 15, 2025 directing them to their unique online ballot. Once you mark and submit your ballot, you will receive an email confirmation that you have voted.
If you are unable to vote online due to disability or otherwise, please contact us through our website or call 206-547-1222, and select the membership option on the phone tree, for a paper ballot. Paper ballots must be received at the co-op office by 5 p.m. PDT on April 29, 2025 to be counted.
Online voting starts April 15, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and ends April 29, 2025 at 5 p.m. PDT.
Q: ARE THE CANDIDATES COMPETING WITH ANYONE, OR IS IT AN APPROVAL VOTE TALLY?
A: There are three open seats, and four candidates seeking election, including two incumbent Trustees. PCC members can vote for up to three candidates, and the three candidates with the most votes will be elected to the Board of Trustees.
