Get to Know Your Board
The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of nine co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. Any co-op owner can run for a board position. Participating in co-op elections is your ownership in action – get to know the owners who represent you!
MEET ANTHONY
I was born in Vietnam and grew up in Southern California as a refugee. I didn’t learn about co-ops until college but lived within an poor immigrant community that practiced much of the co-op principles as a means to survive. Today, that Vietnamese community is a thriving economy with its own unique cultural identity and robust offerings of products and services to serve the Vietnamese people of Southern California. I love visiting Little Saigon whenever I get a chance, to eat at my favorite restaurants, buy some banh mi to go, or just meet friends and family for coffee.
Why did you choose to join the board?
I have been a member of the Merc Co+op for 15+ years since I moved to Lawrence. I love shopping here for the fresh local food and I specially enjoy feeling part of a community when I come here with my family. I’ve always been a consumer of the Merc. So when I finished business school, I ran for the board wanting to contribute more to this community.
What part of the co-op's mission do you connect with the most, and why?
I love that the Merc Co+op serves the local economy by sourcing local, hiring local, and serving local organizations. The Merc puts back $1.30 into the local economy for ever dollar spent there.
What's something you've gained from participating on this board?
I’ve been able to see how the Merc has applied sound business practices and morally good cooperative principles to remain competitive in a highly volatile and saturated grocery market in Lawrence.
What's one thing you hope the co-op achieves/works towards during your term as a director?
I’m very excited to see The Merc open a second store in KCK to serve a very diverse community filled with immigrants, professionals, young, old, families, singles, and many people looking for a community to belong and place to get groceries.
Why should owners consider becoming a director?
You will learn more than you can imagine about running a grocery business and appreciate being part of a cooperative business who’s mission is to serve the community.