2023

PCC Board of Trustees

Election Guide

VOTING OPENS ONLINE APRIL 10 AT 12:01 A.M. PDT AND CLOSES APRIL 19 AT 5 P.M. PDT

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”).

The PCC Board of Trustees’ role is to provide critical oversight of and assistance to the management team in setting and achieving PCC’s goals. The Board’s role includes participation in annual financial planning and budgeting; developing strategic operational, environmental and social goals with the co-op leadership team; and ensuring that the co-op is living its vision, mission and values.

In December of 2022, PCC Community Markets opened the application process for candidates for the Board of Trustees. Based on a recent skills assessment, the Board was seeking applicants with executive-level experience in grocery operations, supply chains, e-commerce systems and/or equity and inclusion in food systems, as well as a passion for PCC and prior for-profit board experience.

In the 2023 election cycle, there are three seats on the Board up for election. All three Board incumbents submitted applications to be considered to serve another term on the Board. PCC also received five outside applications, and Board members not up for reelection (to ensure there was no conflict of interest) interviewed two of those applicants. By a vote (with the three incumbents abstaining), the Board determined that there was great value in the continued service by the qualified and knowledgeable incumbents and decided to place only the three incumbents on the 2023 ballot.

You may cast a vote FOR or AGAINST each candidate. Those candidates who receive more votes FOR their election than AGAINST will be elected.

Participating in PCC’s Annual Board of Trustees Election is an important opportunity for co-op members to exercise their democratic rights. Thank you in advance for voting in this year’s election.

Candidates for the Board of Trustees

Paul Davis (incumbent)

Has served on the Board since 2020. Current term expires 2023. Current Board Chair and member of Audit and Finance Committee.

Appointed Board Chair for PCC in May 2021. Has served as a board member for seven organizations, including FareStart. Spent the last 25 years as CEO or President at Kettle Foods, Coinstar, Starbucks and other purpose-driven companies. For the past five years, has coached and mentored young CEOs. Longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest and avid hiker, runner and traveler.

Read full bio and statement

Megan Karch (incumbent)

Has served on the Board since 2020. Current term expires 2023. Serves on Governance and Membership and Management Development and Compensation Committees.

Current President and CEO of IslandWood, a non-profit environmental education organization. Career spanning more than 30 years of leadership positions, including 5 years as CEO of Islandwood, 18 years as CEO of FareStart and 12 years as a VP at Humanim in Maryland. Megan currently serves on the board of the Downtown Seattle Association, with past board positions at multiple organizations in the region. Known for her social enterprise experience. Avid hiker, alpine skier and sailor.

Read full bio and statement

Ben Klasky (incumbent)

Elected to the Board in 2017. Current term expires 2023.Current Board Chair of Governance and Membership Committee.

Founder and Principal of Seismic Philanthropy, which advises families and foundations on high impact philanthropy. Career spans over 25 years including teaching graduate classes at UW’s Evans School of Public Affairs and serving as the CEO of four companies. Has sat on over ten boards including KUOW and the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Has an MBA, a Masters in Education, and is known for his hybrid (nonprofit and business) thinking.

Read full bio and statement

Meet the current Board of Trustees

2023 PCC Election FAQs

Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

A: You are eligible to vote if you were an active member of PCC Community Markets (PCC) on March 1, 2023, 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 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. 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 5, 2023 will receive an email from Election Services Co. on April 10, 2023 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 email membership@pccmarkets.com or call 206-965-1514 for a paper ballot. Paper ballots must be received at the co-op office by 5 p.m. PDT on April 19, 2023 to be counted.

Online voting starts April 10, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and ends April 19, 2023 at 5 p.m. PDT.

Q: WHY DON’T WE HAVE MORE CHOICES — THERE ARE 3 OPEN SEATS AND ONLY 3 CANDIDATES?

A: In December of 2022, PCC Community Markets opened the application process for candidates for the Board of Trustees. Based on a recent skills assessment, the Board sought applicants with executive level experience in grocery operations, supply chains, e-commerce systems, and/or equity and inclusion in food systems, as well as a passion for PCC, and prior for-profit board experience.

In the 2023 election cycle, all three Board incumbents submitted applications to be considered to serve for another term on the Board. PCC also received five outside applications, and Board members not up for reelection (to ensure there was no conflict of interest) interviewed two of those applicants. By a vote (with the three incumbents abstaining), the Board determined that there was great value in the continued service by the qualified and knowledgeable incumbents and decided to place only the three incumbents on the 2023 ballot.

Q: WERE THERE ANY OTHER CANDIDATES?

A: PCC received five outside applications, and Board members not up for reelection (to ensure there was no conflict of interest) interviewed two of those applicants. By a vote (with the three incumbents abstaining), the Board determined that there was great value in the continued service by the qualified and knowledgeable incumbents and decided to place only the three incumbents on the 2023 ballot.

Q: ARE THE CANDIDATES COMPETING WITH ANYONE, OR IS IT AN APPROVAL VOTE TALLY?

A: There are three open seats. Each candidate needs more “for” votes than “against” votes in order to secure a seat on the Board.