Introducing our General Manager
After an extensive search, the Board has hired Teresa Meza as Wild Onion’s General Manager (GM). She started work on April 1.
Teresa has deep Chicago roots, growing up in the city and in Oak Park, with family in Rogers Park. She also has many years of experience with cooperatives, working at both Sugar Beet and Dill Pickle. Though this is her first stint as a general manager, she has managed purchasing for coops and been involved in other efforts around food production and sustainability.
What we’re most excited about is Teresa’s energy. She has both drive and a calm presence in the face of conflict.
Our project manager, Chris Gilbert, is helping Teresa prepare for our opening by working with vendors and working with her to analyze the division of labor between the GM and store manager.
Her first hire will be a social media manager to work on a contract basis. Next, Teresa, Chris and the Board plan to post the store manager’s position in early May. Other positions will be posted in mid-May so that essential staff will be on board to stock the shelves and prepare to open the store the second week of June.
Teresa says there are three things we can do to support her and Wild Onion Market at this time:
- Educate the community to continue to grow our ownership;
- Shop regularly at the store when it opens; and
- Give her and all of us a little grace as we face this task.
Welcome New WOM Directors
The results are in! Please join us in welcoming and congratulating our 7 new Wild Onion Market Board of Directors! They will join Stephen Johnson and Mary Meyer starting this April.
The new board held its first meeting on April 3. They elected officers and discussed the working committees we expect to need this year.
Stephen Johnson and Mary Meyer will continue in their roles as President-Treasurer and Vice President, respectively. Michelle Oxman will serve as Secretary.
We encourage all Owners to get to know your Board, attend open meetings, and participate in the work as we all build this store together.
We graciously thank Meryl Davis, Lisa Gibbons, and Jillian Jason for their Board service.
Our new directors are:
Helen Thompson, 3 year term
Jill Liska, 3 year term
Erica Williams, 3 year term
David Oakes, 2 year term
Schelly Murphy, 2 year term
Joe Spevacek,1 year term
Michelle Oxman, 1 year term
Annual Meeting Set for April 28
Watch your email for details of our annual meeting on April 28. We expect to have a Zoom option available, but it would be great to meet in person.
If you can help plan this event, email Mary Meyer at mary@wildonionmarket.com or Michelle Oxman at michelle@wildonionmarket.com.
