The CCMA Planning Committee is comprised of co-op managers and board members, representatives from cooperative associations, development organizations, financial partners and other various allies. By providing input from the wide food co-op movement, the committees’ goal is to ensure that CCMA is a valuable forum for success, innovation and development of the national food co-op movement. The CCMA Planning Committee is charged with guiding the selection of the conference theme and tracks. Committee members provide feedback on speakers, breakout sessions, program, and awards and special events. We are grateful for their commitment.
CCMA 2026 Planning Committee:
- Theron Beaudreau, Operations Manager, Whole Foods Co-op
- Jeff Bessmer, General Manager, Greenstar Co-op
- William Deal, Director of Strategic Development, National Co+op Grocers
- John Fieldstrom, Co-op Resource Manager, National Co+op Grocers
- April Harkness, ESG Manager, Hanover Co-op
- Heather Lazcikas, Market & Brand Development, seven roots group
- Mike McCary, Store Operations Manager, Grass Valley, BriarPatch Food Co-op
- Roderick McCulloch, Loan Officer, Shared Capital Cooperative
- Lizz Ortiz, Board Administrator, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op
- LaDonna Sanders-Redmond, Member, Columinate
- Patrick Sayler, General Manager, Sioux Falls Food Co-op
- Melinda Schab, General Manager, Moscow Food Co-op
- Ray Simpkins, CEO, Outpost Natural Foods
- Suzette Snow-Cobb, Associate Director, Neighboring Food Cooperative Association
- Mark Tarasawa, General Manager, First Alternative Co-op
- John Tashiro, General Manager, City Market Onion River Co-op
- Jeanie Wells, Consultant, Columinate
- Karen Zimbelman, Board Member, National Cooperative Business Association