We are happy to welcome two new Directors, Evan Archerd and Elizabeth Walsh, to the Board! And we're thrilled to have Joanna Wnorowski Pecoraro continuing to serve!

Evan Archerd has been a local business owner and builder in Ashland and Talent for nearly forty years. He has always believed that “Building Responsibly Creates Great Communities.” The first step in all of his building projects has been to consider the unique physical and environmental features of the site before any planning or construction could begin. In addition, his company built one of the first affordable housing projects in the City of Ashland and he remains committed to creating affordable housing in the Rogue Valley.

Evan attended the University of California at Santa Cruz and Southern Oregon University, where he later served on the SOU Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Ashland Lithia Springs. Evan was a member of the Board of Directors for the Ashland Community Land Trust, and he chaired numerous local homeowner associations. He is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and Certified General Appraiser in Oregon and also has years of licensing experience as a general Contractor.

Elizabeth Walsh brings over 15 years of strategic leadership experience in natural foods retail, customer insights, and data analytics. She previously worked for Whole Foods Market, where she held a variety of roles. She led marketing for the Pacific Northwest region and managed HR for 25 locations, with over 7,500 staff, gaining deep insight into natural food operations and community engagement. Her strength lies in turning data into strategies that grow organizations and foster connection.

Now living in Ashland, Elizabeth is passionate about strengthening the co-op’s impact and long-term resilience. She served as Board President of the Bellevue Farmers Market and supported B Corp certification efforts for a Canadian brand management company. With a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in Data Science, she blends analytical thinking with a systems-based approach to help the Co-op thrive while staying rooted in cooperative values.

Joanna Wnorowski Pecoraro first walked through our doors in 1980, when we were still on Third Street — we even had a table with a wood stove where folks could gather and hang out.” These are great memories and it's been an honor to serve on our Board for the past three years. I love our Ashland Food Co-op and supporting our traditions going forward in a new time. I've felt great pride in serving as President and supporting the mission of our Co-op.

My experience with co-ops and boards goes back decades. In 1977 I was instrumental in the formation of a food buying club in Silverton & Mt. Angel area of Oregon in 1977, when our local co-op shut down. The value of having healthy, organic food available for the community is a priority for me. I have five decades of practice in nutrition, food preservation, gardening and study of integrated health. I am connected to various farmers and growers in our region.