General Manager
Francis Murphy has been the Co-op General Manager since 1998. Prior to his engagement with us, Francis managed Deep Roots Co-op in North Carolina. Since moving to Southern Illinois, he has been deeply involved with a number of cooperative and community programs and projects. He has served in a number of leadership capacities for several national cooperative associations, including Vice Chair on the Central Corridor Steering Committee for the National Cooperative Grocers Association. Closer to home, Francis is also the Chair on WDBX Community Radio's Board of Directors. While not managing the store, Francis enjoys running and working in his garden with his wife Julie.

Merchandising Manager/Grocery Buyer
Brian Corcoran has been with us since 2000 and has worked all over the Co-op. Brian's role as Merchandising Manager allows him to bring his passion for healthy foods to the Southern Illinois community. Fair Trade, organics, local/regional producers, sustainable, green companies, co-ops, mom & pops, leading innovaters, special diets, and gourmet are all options available at the Co-op and Brian does his best to balance the options for the best possible product mix. When not at work, he keeps busy with his wife and three daughters on their land on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest. Brian is also a DJ on the local community radio station, WDBX.

Customer Service Representative
Pale

Office Manager, Personnel Administrator
Karen Puharich

Prepared Foods Manager
Matty Shannon has been working at the Co-op for 4 years and has been the guiding force behind our popular Deli section, which has seen tremendous growth in the last three years. He has also trekked to other Co-ops to help them achieve similar measures of success. Matty has been in food service for 15 years and has cooked at high-end resturaunts around the St.Louis metropolitan area. He has undergone extensive deli managment & retail training, spanning over five states, including California, which is on the cutting edge of the organic and natural foods movement. His friends and family are deeply rooted in co-ops, too. He brought in his good friend Jon Knott from San Diego's Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market (a Co-op) to be the Head Chef at the Co-op. As the Prepared Foods Manager, Matty also oversees our extensive, healthy and delicious deli menu. While not on the job, Matty is a dad, lampwork glass artist, drummer, and rock climber.

Wellness Manager
Pending ... 

Brand Development Manager
Lisa Smith started as a volunteer in 2000. She has been employed at the store since 2001 and handles everything from signage, the newsletter to cooking classes and the look of the store.

Produce Manager
Ryne Tharp

Owner Services & Outreach Coordinator
Jerry Bradley handle all sorts of outreach - from cooking classes and educational events to store tours and special events like our annual Local Harvest Picnic or the Nutrition 5K Walk/Run.