Edie Burkey (President)
As a shopper at Weaver’s Way Co-op in Chestnut Hill, PA and as someone who almost moved to Brattleboro, Vermont just because they have a terrific food co-op, I am passionate about what a food cooperative can do for a community. I joined Kennett Community Grocer to work diligently to make this place happen. Building community relationships, reaching out to others with a passion for local foods, providing an economic engine for our community members and encouraging the sharing of our rich diversity are what Kennett Community Grocer is all about.
Britton Elwood (Vice-President)
Sometimes you need to start small to make a big impact, and I believe the retail food cooperative is the perfect model to begin healing our national food system, one community at a time. My passion for sustainability, local foods and a desire to improve the food system has led me to earn a Masters in Public Health after 10+ years in the restaurant industry as a pastry chef. My previous experience and current role as Operations Coordinator for the Kennett Food Cupboard (KACS) has taught me how to work diligently in challenging situations while successfully engaging with the community. I hope to use my public health skills to create programs for the co-op that provide local, healthy food for everyone in the community.
My biggest dream for the co-op is to encourage everyone in Kennett to start composting, recycling and buying in bulk! I love being a part of the Kennett community and think Kennett has such an abundance of community spirit and enthusiasm; it is the perfect town for a food co-op.
Erin Selfe (Secretary)
I grew up in Wilkes-Barre, PA, traveled the country, and lived for several years in the Pacific Northwest, Pittsburgh, and Skippack, PA. In 2012, I settled here in the southern tip of West Chester, PA. I've three boys ages 17-23, one very active pug, and an Australian Shepherd. I play the djembe, congas, and love outdoor activities, especially walks in the woods, kayaking, and just sitting and listening to the trees.
I offer my professional and personal skills and resourceful "can-do" attitude to help Kennett Community Grocer establish itself in our local community and economy. I am passionate about educating the general public about the improvements and benefits of a local co-op. I look forward to brainstorming ideas and contributing to decisions that will help keep this goal moving forward and open those doors very soon!
From a career perspective, I am currently an Officer and Vice President of Information Technology at Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company. I held senior leadership roles for several commercial and life insurance companies focused on data solutions and IT strategy. I am on the Board of Directors and a PAC Trustee for PAMIC, an association of small-mid size mutual insurance companies in Pennsylvania and the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Firemans Museum. I previously owned and operated a healthy vending business dedicated to providing nutritional snack alternatives in schools, businesses, and various recreational facilities.
Greg Danchik (Treasurer)
As a graduate of Kennett High School and life-long Kennett resident, I am deeply committed to the families of the communities in the Kennett area. My wife Heather and our son are so proud to call this beautiful community home. I joined Kennett Community Grocer to encourage our community members to join the movement and together build a great local food store providing economic opportunities for farmer producers and food store employees. As Treasurer, I offer my skills and experience in the financial services industry to protect and report on Member-Owner equity which will build the store.
Lindsay Cook (Board Member)
My husband, Nate, and daughter, Zoe, moved to Kennett Square in 2019. I joined Kennett Community Grocer because I have a passion for healthy eating and a strong commitment to helping our farming community. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a BS in Business Administration and a Masters in Taxation, I love analyzing data and helping people use numbers and finance to better their lives.
I plan to use my skills to further the growth of our movement, protect our Member-Owner equity and be prepared to help us obtain the financial tools needed to open the doors.
Adam Peterson (Board Member)
I joined Kennett Community Grocer to help propel us from a Movement to a future co-op grocery store. I offer 25+ years of experience leading creative teams in a wide range of industries including software, medical/pharma, music and entertainment, direct marketing and health/wellness. I have a passion for creating customer experiences that bring people together through a strong message and compelling brand.
Kris Gibbons (Special Events Director)
My wife, Kara, and I moved to Kennett Square from California 16 years ago. Today, our three children and two great dogs call Kennett Borough home. We have chosen this place to start our business, KSquared Health Coaching, and know people in our community are eager to eat healthy, local food. I joined Kennett Community Grocer because I believe making daily small changes in eating habits produce a big impact on the health and happiness of our lives. Having a local food cooperative with access to produce, dairy and meats which are sustainably grown using healthy agricultural practices will greatly enhance this change.
As the Special Events Director, I bring experience as a former chemical engineer professionally managing projects, developing strong relationships and getting buy in from stakeholders. These are all skills needed to help us open the doors.
Beth Tumas (Board Member)
I joined Kennett Community Grocer with the goal of sharing the bounty of the farm my husband and I own in Lincoln University. We raise milking goats, pasture-raised pigs, turkeys and chickens. We also have a small apiary producing honey and honey products. I am very involved with our local and state-wide farming community including mentoring 4H youth. I hope to encourage our farming community members to become Member-Owners of KCG and usher them into the store as future producers.
Paige Britton (Board Member)
I am a new attorney working at Lupton Law LLC in West Chester, a small immigration law firm. I have two young adult kids, both in Pittsburgh at school this year. My husband and I live in Quarryville, PA (Lancaster County), but he is from CA and I am from the D.C. area. I used to home school my kids and study legal issues for fun -- now I work full time and sleep for fun. Before my kids were born, I taught elementary school in the Avon Grove and Solanco School Districts. My husband and I were married in Kennett Square!
Tom Sausen (Board Member)
I have lived in the Kennett area for 28 years and currently work for the Consulting company I started, Blue Quartz Group. My family includes my wife Adele, four children ages 25-38 and three grandchildren. I have been active in the Community with a variety of non-profit organizations including Past President of Historic Kennett Square (now Kennett Collaborative), I'm currently on the Board of Family Promise of Southern Chester County, and I occasionally work as a volunteer with Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue located in West Grove, PA. I have strong roots in the Community and would love to see KCG succeed in the near term! A member owned food co-op would fill a defined need in Kennett Square Borough, and I would like to be part of the effort to make it happen!
With 30+ years of experience at a Fortune 100 company and now as an owner of my own business, I have experience starting new businesses from the ground up. My corporate experience was with Abbott Nutrition and although not a clinician, I have a strong understanding of the role nutrition plays in the maintenance of good health. In my current role with Blue Quartz Group, I work daily with start-up companies helping them go from idea to reality. To the KCG Board, I bring real-world experience to the mission of starting a Co-Op as I have experience in Business Planning, Financial Management, Sourcing, and new Business Development.
Eliot Dalton (Board Member)
Since 2005, I have specialized in helping clients buy and sell unique lodging properties. As a former owner of a full-service inn, I add 15 years of innkeeping experience to my real estate practice. My goal has always been to educate and guide clients while helping them achieve their goals. I understand the demands and rewards of the innkeeping business intimately and have a thorough working knowledge of inn finances. I provide consulting services to buyers and sellers in all 50 states, and help clients find the right boutique hospitality for sale and advise on the financial aspects of buying and running an inn.