Everything Co-op With Vernon Oakes

Vernon interviews Gabe Snow and Laura Vogel, representatives from NRECA's (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) Co-ops Vote team. Vernon and his guests discuss the resources that can be found on the Vote.coop website, the purpose of the site, and the importance of the upcoming presidential election. Co-ops Vote is a non-partisan project of America's Electric Cooperatives, designed to inform its members on key issues facing electric co-ops, and encourage them to vote and support their co-ops and the communities they serve when they go to the polls. The organization does not endorse or recommend any candidates for election, but offers access to information that will enable voters to make informed decisions when they vote. If you would like to review pertinent information about the candidates you will have an opportunity to vote for in the upcoming Presidential Election, but do not have the time to do the research, or just don't know where to begin, let Co-ops Vote do the work for you. The site featu

Howard Brodsky, Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of CCA Global Partners is interviewed by Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Howard discuss how he has used the cooperative business model to expand his cooperative partners, new ways to use social media to promote the cooperatives, and the organization he currently Chairs; Cooperatives for a Better World. Howard Brodsky is one of the leading cooperative leaders in America. He Co-founded CCA Global Partners with Alan Greenberg in 1984, and has never wavered in his commitment to expand his business, and promote the benefits of cooperatives. Brodsky is passionate about moving the cooperative business model forward to help bring power and equality back to local communities. Brodsky was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals and companies who make unparalleled contributions in advancement of the principles of cooperation. One of his more notable accomplishments was being inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, along with

Gina Schaefer Co-Founder & CEO of 11 ACE Hardware Stores appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Gina discuss the evolution of her business, how she and her husband Marc have integrated cooperative principles into their business practices, and how they have been able to open 11 stores in several markets in twelve years. Gina Schaefer is the Co-Founder and CEO of 11 Ace Hardware stores located in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia. She is a passionate entrepreneur who grew her company from one to eleven stores in a twelve year period, and with her husband leads a multi-million dollar small business that employs 240 people. Gina has tirelessly focused on the "Return to Main Street" movement in her own city of Washington D.C. to promote Shop Local campaigns and community revitalization projects in urban areas. She serves on the Ace Hardware Corporation and CCA Global Partners, Inc. Board of Directors and is a member of the Ace Center for Excellence. She also serves on the non-profit

Vernon Oakes, Host of Everything Co-op, continues his evaluation of the 2016 Presidential Candidates as it relates to cooperative values and principles. Vernon takes the grades that were assigned to candidates during the previous discussion, and extends his evaluation based on the actions and platforms of the 2016 Presidential Candidates.

Vernon and Joe discuss the origins of GreenStar; the structure of the business, and its road to success. They also discuss Greenleaf's conversion to solar energy and many, the prospective opening of their new store, and the importance of participating in the upcoming Presidential election. Joe Romano has been the Marketing Manager at GreenStar Natural Foods Market for over a decade. Before his tenure at GreenStar, Joe worked in film and television in NYC for 20 years. Before that, he taught English Literature and Creative Writing at the City University of New York. He has a wife, a daughter and two cats, (in that order), and currently resides in Ithaca, NY. GreenStar Natural Foods Market was created by its members to successfully operate stores with a triple bottom line. The company holds profit, people and our planet as its primary concerns. The company supports the principles of fair wages and fair trade. Employees are paid fair wages and offer health benefits to employees who work 20 or more hours. Many of

Vernon and his guests discuss the evolution of housing cooperatives in Washington, D.C., the prospect of forming a federation of limited equity housing cooperatives, and the role cooperatives play in improving the quality of life for its participants. Ajowa Nzinga Ifateyo has been a co-editor of Grassroots Economic Organizing, (GEO) for more than 10 years. GEO, a 30-year-old publication, reports on cooperative developments around the world, and provides advocacy for alternative economic solutions. Her work with GEO has inspired her to research and think about ways to empower individuals to make personal changes to better organize and participate in cooperative/group entrepreneurial enterprises. Ajowa has nine years of experience on cooperative boards, including: Ujamaa Collective, the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, and the Eastern Conference on Workplace Development. In 2000, she and four other D.C. residents co-founded an affordable housing co-op for community organizers, the Ella Jo Baker Intention

artist: Vernon Oakes title: Vernon Interviews Steve A;ves, Producer/Director of Food For Change album: Everything Co-op. year: 2016 genre: Speech (id 101) track: 9222016 Vernon and Steve discuss the film, the production of the film and how the film is being used to educate people about food cooperatives, and the history of cooperatives in general. Alves is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who graduated from the University of Southern California Film School. After working in Hollywood and New York City as a film editor for 10 years, he moved to western Massachusetts and started his own documentary company, Home Planet Pictures. Two consistent themes in Alves' films are the inter-generational ties, and the role of community in American life. Since 1997, Alves has written, produced, and directed six films about New England and what it means to have a sense of place. His 2001 production. Together in Time, won a CINE Golden Eagle, Best Short Documentary at the International Family Film Festival, and a Gold A

Vernon interviews John D. Johnson, retired President & CEO, CHS Inc., and 2017 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee. Vernon and John discuss his life work and experiences as a leader in the cooperative movement, and the history of CHS Inc. and how the cooperative business model and guiding principles were used to establish the business. John Johnson's vision and unwavering belief in the cooperative value proposition reshaped U.S. agricultural co-ops' ability to capture 21st century success. Grounded by his rural North Dakota and South Dakota roots, he dedicated his 34-year career to embracing innovative opportunities to connect producers from their farms and ranches to the global marketplace through their cooperatives. Johnson's leadership style combined a clear vision of the benefits of pursuing new paths, initially for Harvest States Cooperatives and later for CHS Inc., with an exceptional ability to articulate the benefits of these bold steps to member-owners, board members and employees with trust, integrity

Vernon Oakes interviews Dennis Bolling, former President and CEO of Producers Livestock Association, and 2016 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee. Vernon and Dennis discuss his experience with the Producers Livestock Association and the importance of integrating training into the cooperative business plan to ensure that all members are knowledgeable of cooperative principles. Dennis Bolling was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Producers Livestock Association in April of 1989, for United Producers, Inc. until his recent retirement in December of 2015. Since his retirement Dennis has continued to provide consultation for the in-house training curriculum. It is clear that cooperatives will always be an integral part of his life. As such, earlier this month Dennis was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame for the lifelong contributions he has made to the cooperative community. Mr. Bolling has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Livestock Producers Association,

Induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame is the highest honor that the U.S. cooperative community bestows on the extraordinary men and women who have made genuinely heroic contributions in support of the cooperative form of enterprise. This year's inductees are: Dennis Bolling, outgoing president and CEO of United Producers, Inc., who will be interviewed on May 19; Dennis A. Johnson, former president and CEO of the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives, who will be interviewed on May 26; and Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, author of "Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice," who was interviewed on February 25. (Click Here for interview) Vernon Oakes shares an overview of the 2016 Cooperative Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and illustrates how the 2016 inductees have integrated cooperative principles into their contributions to the cooperative movement. These cooperative leaders will be recognized at the annual Cooperative Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony

Vernon and Alan discuss the role he plays as an advocate, the recent Congressional Fly-in, and how the Cooperative Legislative Caucus, and Interagency Workgroup can be used to advance initiatives and concerns of the cooperative community within the legislature.

Vernon interviews Judy Sullivan, Government Relations Representative for the National Association of Housing Cooperatives. Vernon and Judy discuss the role she plays in advocating in the interest of housing cooperatives as it relates to Bill #HR3863, that addresses the need for disaster relief through FEMA for cooperatives, and ways that others can participate in efforts to gain equal rights for cooperative housing. They also discuss other legislation and news that is relevant to cooperatives. Judy has over 25 years of comprehensive experience representing the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC) covering issues including Department of Housing and Urban Development home equity conversion mortgages or reverse mortgages, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Relief; Homeland Security flood insurance, Department of Veteran Affairs benefits, as well as tax issues. She is responsible for managing all congressional and federal regulatory issues of interest to NAHC, and represents NAHC with co

Vernon interviews Ralph M. Paige, the former Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund (Federation/LAF). Vernon and Ralph discussed his illustrious career, and the role cooperatives have played in the economic recovery of many communities in the United States of America. Mr. Paige has played a major role in creating cooperatives encompassing credit unions, agricultural, housing and worker cooperatives and alternative agricultural development for minority farmers. He worked for the Federation for more than 45 years from 1969, and served as Executive Director for thirty years from 1985 to 2015. Initially, Mr. Paige worked as a field organizer developing cooperatives among family farmers and rural residents in Georgia and throughout the South. He led measures to secure new public and private resources to support cooperative development, and in the 1970s, he served as director of the Federation's Business Development Office. From 1977-1981, Mr. Paige served as director of

Vernon interviews Michael Peck, Co-founder of 1worker1vote.org and Delegate for Mondragon Corporation. Vernon and Michael discuss the National Union Coop Symposium, 1worker1vote.org, and Mondragon Corporation, the largest worker cooperative in the world. Michael Peck strives to overcome inequalities of wealth/income, opportunity, and social mobility by applying the sixty years of Mondragon experience and principles to form, transform, and transition worker co-ops and union co-ops. Since late 1999, Michael Alden Peck has served as the North American delegate for Mondragon, the world's largest industrial worker cooperative. On March 26th, 2012, the United Steelworkers (USW), Mondragon, and the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) announced the union-coop template, to create worker-owner hybrid projects and businesses with the goal of revamping U.S. manufacturing through worker empowerment and ownership. In January 2014, Michael helped to launch 1worker1vote.org, a non-profit dedicated to solving America's unhe

Vernon interviews John Zippert, Director of Program Operations for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC). Vernon and John discuss his role in carrying out the objectives of FSC, and options for creating a formalized education program for cooperatives. John Zippert is the Director of Program Operations for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund at their Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama. He has over 45 years experience in community organizing, cooperative and credit union development, community based economic development and rural development in distressed communities. Prior to working for the Federation, he was a fieldworker for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Louisiana. He has a BA degree in history from the City College of New York; and has participated in numerous training sessions and courses to enhance his skills in rural development. Zippert has worked with the Federation on the development of affordable housing for low incom

Vernon interviews Cornelius Blanding Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Vernon and Cornelius wdiscuss FSC's upcoming Annual Meeting, and the role the Federation plays in assisting people to help themselves through cooperatives. Cornelius Blanding assumed the position of Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives earlier this year on March 1. He began his career in development work as an economic development intern for the City of Miami Beach. Since then he has gained a broad experience base including rural, international and cooperative economic development. Blanding has worked with the Federation for the past 17 years in various program and leadership capacities to propel the organization and its membership forward. Immediately prior to his appointment he served as the Federation's deputy director. During his tenure with the Federation, Blanding spearheaded several of the program's special initiatives, including its international work in Africa, the Caribbean an

Vernon interviews Andrew Garte, the Chief Executive Officer at Community CleanWater Management Group, Inc. (CCMG). Vernon and Andrew discuss how CCMG has used co-op principals to create wealth building opportunities for the worker owners of their company. Andrew Garte is the Chief Executive Officer at Community CleanWater Management Group, Inc. Mr. Garte has over 30-years of experience in sustainability programs, pollution prevention,stormwater management, environmental management, site assessment and environmental consulting. Prior to joining CCMG Mr. Garte served as a Senior Environmental Scientist and Project Director at a number of large area environmental science and engineering firms. He holds a BS in Marine Biology from Southeastern Massachusetts University, is proficient in environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act, and State and Local National Pollution Discharge Elimination Service requirements and Watershed Implementation Plans. He is experienced in water and land conservation planni

Vernon interviews Andrew Reicher,and Alex Roesch, Project Associate for co-op outreach and research at UHAB (the Urban Homestead Assistance Board. The gentleman discussed their current research project, "Building Capacity to Serve and Grow the Cooperative Housing Community, and initiatives of the Urban Homestead Assistance Board).

Vernon interviews Cornelius Blanding Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Vernon and Cornelius wdiscuss FSC's upcoming Annual Meeting, and the role the Federation plays in assisting people to help themselves through cooperatives. Cornelius Blanding assumed the position of Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives earlier this year on March 1. He began his career in development work as an economic development intern for the City of Miami Beach. Since then he has gained a broad experience base including rural, international and cooperative economic development. Blanding has worked with the Federation for the past 17 years in various program and leadership capacities to propel the organization and its membership forward. Immediately prior to his appointment he served as the Federation's deputy director. During his tenure with the Federation, Blanding spearheaded several of the program's special initiatives, including its international work in Africa, the Caribbean an

Vernon interviews Esteban Kelly, educator, community organizer, and radical geographer. He's the current Board President of the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance (PACA). He works for the New Economy Coalition, and is also a founder and worker-owner of AORTA, (Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance, a worker co-op of educators whose facilitation and consulting strengthens cooperatives and social justice groups.