As board president of Seward Community Cooperative, I am thrilled to announce that after a thorough hiring procedure and much consideration, the board of directors has selected a new General Manager, Raynardo Williams.

The process for hiring a GM was a new one to Seward Co-op’s Board of Directors and not one we took lightly. With a hiring pool that included a number of talented candidates, we feel that this is the best possible decision for our co-op as we move into the next chapter.

Ray’s experience in the last seven years as Store Manager, Operations Manager, and Senior Human Resources and Operations Manager has showcased his commitment to the co-op and exemplified his flexibility in times of difficult change and community unrest. Over the past four months, Ray has excelled as our interim leader and demonstrated his readiness for the role.

This is also a monumental step for our co-op that exemplifies our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the cooperative movement. After a year of celebrating our 50^th anniversary, we cannot diminish the historic nature of Ray stepping into his role as the first Black GM in Seward Co-op’s history. Together, Ray and Seward Co-op are making history and showing the world what modern cooperative leadership looks like.

Please take an opportunity to welcome Ray to his new permanent role and celebrate this momentous occasion. We are so excited about the talent and experience Ray brings to this important role at Seward Co-op.

In cooperation,

LaDonna Sanders Redmond

Seward Community Cooperative Board President