As board president of Seward Community Cooperative, I am writing to let you know that our long-term General Manager, Sean Doyle, has decided to resign to take a position with the National Cooperative Grocers. As General Manager of Seward Co-op, Sean has played many roles over his 18 years — leader, manager, cooperator, confidante, role model, mentor, and friend. The board extends deep gratitude for his tenacity and dedication.

During his time as General Manager, Sean has successfully guided the co-op through several expansions and numerous projects, which demonstrated his commitment to food justice. Through his cooperative leadership, Sean is responsible for the development of the SEED round-up program, Seward’s needs-based ownership, the Community Foods program, and the development of the Friendship store. The success of these programs locally has inspired food cooperatives across the county to replicate them. Sean is a visionary, and it is with his guidance that Seward Co-op is able to celebrate 50 years of operation.

Sean will be with the co-op until the end of September to support the transition. Although his absence will most certainly be felt, we would like to wish him the fondest of farewells and the absolute best in this and all of his future endeavors. With Sean’s departure, we would also like to announce that Raynardo Williams has been appointed by the board to the role of Interim General Manager of Seward Community Cooperative.

Ray has held several managerial roles at Seward Co-op over the past seven years, beginning as Store Manager of the Friendship store, then Operations Manager, and as Senior Human Resources and Operations Manager. In each of these roles, Ray has excelled as a cooperative manager and leader. The co-op is fortunate to have a person with the talent and skill he possesses.

In addition to Ray’s managerial experience, he has a Bachelor of Arts from National American University and Masters of Arts in Management from Hamline University.

Please join us in congratulating Ray on his new position as we move into a new chapter of Seward Co-op together.

In cooperation,

LaDonna Sanders Redmond
Seward Community Cooperative Board President