Get to Know Your Board

Get to Know Your Board


Anthony+Lang.jpg

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.