Board Candidate: Joseph Correa What skills and qualities do you have that uniquely qualify you for the Board of Directors, and why do you want to run for the Board? Having lived in the community for over 20 years I know the community fairly well. I was involved with the Co-op in its earliest years in the 70s as a volunteer. Have taught Board management at universities and have served on over 20 governing boards on various corporations and companies. in the past. Extremely skilled in analyzing competition and planning business strategies. Have managed large organizations successfully. Filling in for a departing board member I have served on the Co-op Board for the last two years and have come to know the business fairly well. Choose one of the seven goals of the Co-op strategic plan and briefly talk about what interests you and what you could contribute to its development. Having served as a Professor at several Universities taught Strategic Planning at Graduate and undergraduate level for many years.
I have chosen "Economic Resilience" in the Strategic Plan. In strategies one needs to be able to be able to analyze the strength and weaknesses of the company and be able to fully understand the competition in the region to match with the Co-op. Knowledge of the State of the Art and the State of the Industry is paramount to survive in a competitive market. To be resilient the management needs a creative purchasing policy and product selection policy.
Moreover, it needs to have a continuous process to communicate with the member owners and customers to ascertain the changing interests of the times. Know what your competitors are doing. Think about a situation that demonstrates your ability to create a climate that values cultural diversity. How would you encourage sharing different perspectives? As a member of a minority ethnic community, I have been very active in educating business managers in the area of diversity.
Taught "Diversity Management" for many years at universities and corporations. For example, conducted a 16-week training program for managers at Conrail in Pittsburgh to minimize ethnic friction among employees belonging to women groups, Germans, Polish, Italians, Yugoslavs, Czech Slavs, and several other ethnic groups that reflect the steel industry of the past.
Another example of the past work: With Federal funds from the Law Assistance Agency, I conducted ten-day long training programs in 20 cities around the country on Diversity Management in Prisons around USA.
Concentrate on Human needs and the wealth of Human talents. Affirm diverse achievements and associate with all different colleagues. What do you believe are the Co-op’s greatest strengths? 1. Membership ownership. 2. Quality of foods. 3. Community relations. 4. Friendly employees. 5. Location. Describe any experience you have in reading and understanding financial statements. Served as senior Dean at several Universities managing budgets for several years.Served at the Financial Committee of Assumption School, Bellingham.Was the Treasurer at the YMCA, Sewickley, (Suburb of Pittsburgh) for nine years.
Describe the experience, skills, or knowledge you have working with any or all of the following: Cooperatives; policy governance; consensus process, non-profit or for-profit boards; a group that used active member participation to achieve its goals. Chaired the Governing Board and acted as CEO at the Sewickley Art Center (Old Post office Art Center) in Pittsburgh converting it from bankruptcy seeking to a vibrant art center that still is flourishing. (Membership owned) Was a member of the governing board that established the 300-acre Botanical Garden attracting worldwide attention and tourists.Served over 20 governing boards in various business corporations and non-profits. Taught non-profit management at universities and consulted for several organizations. Describe your connections with the community, including volunteer work if applicable. Lived in Bellingham for over 20 years. Lived in Seattle area for several years. Taught at Western Washington University and served as an administrator for several years.
Volunteered at Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Assumption School, Assumption Foundation, Bellingham Public School Foundation, Financial committees of parish church. Whatcom Land Trust etc.
Describe any business or entrepreneurial experience you have. Part owner of The Northwest Executive Consultants, (A consulting firm in Strategic Management) located in Seattle. Served as Ast. Administrator at KME Manufacturing (Aerospace Industry in Renton) managing purchasing, planning, Contracts, H.R., Quality Control and payroll.
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