Cooperative Gratitude

By Pat Burns, General Manager

While attending a meeting at Burlington Electric in September 2006 I ran into Clem Nilan, an old friend and the General Manager of City Market. I was slightly surprised when Clem inquired, “do you want to come play in a grocery store”? And so it started.

October 30, 2006 was my first day as the Director of Operations at the Co-op. For the next six and a half years I worked with Clem and all of the staff as we expanded our sales and our success in supporting the Co-op’s mission of being a partner for good health in the city of Burlington.

On April Fools' Day 2013, I assumed the position of General Manager. (Some people would say it was a significant day for me to start work as the GM). From that first day, straight through to today it has been an experience that I never thought possible.

For several reasons, it was nothing I had ever experienced in all the jobs I had held in Vermont. First, I was incredibly lucky to follow in Clem's footsteps. He set a tone of cooperation, understanding, consideration, patience and accomplishment that exemplified the strengths of the cooperative business model.

Second, I have been fortunate to work with so many phenomenal employees, both staff and management. The people who work here do incredible things every day in each department and they are one large reason our Co-op is successful. It would be easy to brag about all of these accomplishments, but that's not how we do things here. We work, day in and day out, to meet the needs of our Members and our community, often in new and exciting ways.

Third, it's difficult to describe the awe I have for the daily support of our 10,000+ Members and how this drives our success. The engagement of our Members in the ownership of the Co-op and the cooperative model is shown in many tangible ways. Perhaps it's easiest is to simply say that our Membership numbers are at an all-time high, Member purchases are reaching 70% of sales, and we continue to support the local economy because Members are purchasing local products in record numbers. That kind of support is what makes a coop successful.

Thank you. If I've experienced any kind of success here as the General Manager, it is because of all of you and the support you have shown me. I'm happy that John Tashiro has accepted the position of General Manager for the Co-op. Prior to his official start on June 1, he was very active meeting with Board Members, staff and Members at the store. I know you will all give John the same support that you afforded me. Introduce yourself when you see John in the store and I’ll be sure to see you around the Co-op, even after July 1.

Cooperatively,
Pat


Pat Burns will be immensely missed here at the Co-op. Do you have a memory or fond farewell for him? We encourage you to share it on our Facebook page.