Board of Directors

The Medford Food Co-op is owned by community members who purchased a share of stock. Owners elect a board of directors from among owners in the community. The board of directors carries out the mission and vision of the cooperative with a focus on its long-term direction. The board hires the general manager (GM) to develop and implement business operations commensurate with the co-op's mission and vision. The GM is responsible for following policies established by the board governing management and operation of the co-op.

The board uses a system of governance called policy governance. Policy governance differentiates and defines the roles and responsibilities of the board and the GM. Policy governance is a system to organize the work of the board, as well as for the top leadership team of the co-op. It is a system for the board and GM to collaboratively function together. You may not be familiar with this system even if you have experience serving on a board. To learn more, read the board's Introduction to Policy Governance.

Medford Food Co-op Board of Directors meetings are the third Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Medical Eye Center, located at 1333 East Barnett Road in Medford. Due to the pandemic, the meetings will be held online until further notice. If you are an owner who would like to participate in an online Board meeting, please email the Board President for an invitation to the online meeting: board@medfordfood.coop.

The Current Board of Directors

Kellie Hill
President

Kellie is a Nutrition Therapist and proprietor of The Right Plan Nutritional Counseling. Kellie instructs cooking classes and advises clientele on finding optimal health using nutrient dense whole foods. She has authored two books: The Right Plan 2 Week Fat Loss Program and Cleanse & Detoxify Your Body.

Patty Casebolt
Vice President

Patty is the Clinical Director of Medical Eye Center in Medford.  She serves as a volunteer on La Clinica's customer service committee.  Patty grew up on a small farm in the valley where quality, healthy food was abundant.  As an adult, Patty has discovered the healing aspects of a healthy organic foods diet. 

Roger Noyes
Treasurer & Secretary

Roger has lived in the Rogue Valley for over 30 years. He has over 20 years experience in the grocery business, including almost seven years in the Grocery Manager position for Medford Food Co-op, as well as prior experience as the owner of a small natural foods store. Roger recently retired from the Co-op, and is looking forward to serving the community in a role on the Board.

Fran Batzer
Board Member

Fran is a Home Set-up Trainer and a Holistic Health Coach, certified by the Gerson Institute and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  Fran works personally with her clients to help them bring health and balance back into their lives.  Fran is also wife to Russ Batzer, a mom, and grandmother.  She retired in 2011 after 20 years in the design field to pursue her passion for holistic health.

Verne Underwood
Board Member

Verne is an English instructor and chair of the Humanities Department at Rogue Community College, and his family has been living here in Medford for the past 20 years. Verne is concerned with the economics behind food—who’s employed and under what conditions—which is why he’s interested in fair trade policies and local food sourcing.

Sarah Calhoun
Board Member

Sarah's background is in consensus-based planning, grantwriting and management at a community-based clinic. She has been involved in community-supported agriculture for years and recently completed the Jackson County Master Gardener program. Sarah believes a connected community is a resilient community, and that food connects all of us.

Barry Robino
Board Member

Barry Robino worked for Grange Cooperative as General Manager and CEO 21 years. Barry has great respect for the cooperative business model and what people at Medford Food Co-op have been able accomplish together since 2011. He hopes to contribute to the continued success of Medford Food Co-op, keeping the needs of owners and employees first.

Matt Dorris
Board Member

Matt developed his passion for nutrition, cooking, and local food while living in Colorado. When he moved back to Oregon in 2017 to pursue a real estate career, Matt was delighted to see the Co-op and has been shopping here since. Matt believes that healthy food is one of the pillars that our communities are built on and he looks forward to working with the Co-op as it continues to grow.