Changes at our Co-op
2025 Board of Trustees and General Manager, Leah Scates
photo by Sarah Olafson
Dear Sno-Isle Food Co-op Owners,
On behalf of the Co-op’s Board of Trustees, I would like to inform you of a major staffing change. After four years as our General Manager (GM), Leah Scates, is leaving Sno-Isle Food Co-op at the end of this month to continue her career, while staying in the co-op family. Fortunately, the Board was able to hire Andre Chavez as our new GM, who we believe has the experience needed to build on the work Leah has done to improve the Co-op and create a foundation for the future.
We are sad to lose Leah and happy for what lies ahead for her. She has been a tremendous leader, guiding the Co-op out of its doldrums from the City’s Rucker Renewal Project (remember that?) and the Covid-19 pandemic. Over her four years as GM, she has increased sales and net income; dramatically improved store operations and staff morale; reorganized the store to make it more accessible and welcoming; led efforts to enhance belonging and inclusion; and partnered with the Board to improve governance, including helping to redraft our bylaws and policies. We will miss her leadership and partnership and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
After careful consideration, the Board offered the position of General Manager to Andre Chavez, and he accepted. He will start in mid to late March.
Andre has extensive experience in grocery and comes strongly recommended by those who have worked with him in his previous jobs and at National Co+op Grocers (NCG). We believe Andre's experience, cultural awareness, resourcefulness, and vision, will make him a dynamic GM. He has a lot of ideas about what can be done to improve the shopping experience and position the Co-op for growth.
The Board feels that Andre has the skills and experience to continue and expand on the work that Leah has done as GM to boost the Co-op's bottom line, pull together a motivated staff, and embed us deeper in the fabric of the Snohomish and Island County communities.
Please join us in wishing Leah well on her career journey and welcoming Andre as our new GM!
Tye Ferrell
President, Board of Trustees
Sno-Isle Food Co-op