We are pleased to further introduce you to two of our Membership and Communications Committee team members:
Suzanne Riehl
Suzanne Riehl first learned about our Co-op when a colleague brought a bag of coffee to work that he received when he became a member-owner. He wasn’t a coffee drinker so gave it to Suzanne. A month later, she joined too. “I like the idea of a co-op,” she explains. “I shopped at Roots Market when it existed on Main Street.”
Last year, Suzanne received an invitation to volunteer from board member Paige Everly. With a full-time job as a math professor at UNI, Suzanne jokes that her brain cells are quite busy, but she agreed to do the more task-oriented job processing new members. She has enjoyed connecting with the other committee members who are working toward the common cause of a food co-op. “I’m looking forward to our store and getting the opportunity to shop there.”
As an undergraduate, Suzanne tried out a few majors, but switched to math. She got her Masters, joined the Air Force, and then landed on teaching at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula. She went on for a PhD and her next job was at UNI where she’s been ever since. “I’m fascinated with the way people learn,” Suzanne says. “It is a privilege to teach students mathematics and share my love of the subject.”
Mindy Doyle
Mindy Doyle joined the Co-op as soon as she learned of its existence. “I was excited to be able to support a locally-owned grocery store celebrating producers in the area and highlighting Iowa-based products.”
Born and raised in Waterloo, Mindy takes pride in the Cedar Valley where she lives with her husband of 39 years along with what she calls their “fur babies” (two Aussies and a cat). Her last job took her out of state with travel so she was not as connected to the community then. “I come from a family who was always involved with the community,” she explains. “After I retired, I wanted to volunteer again.”
As an active volunteer with the membership and communications team, Mindy has assisted with several information booths, but her main focus is the Rooted Carrot Co-op website. The site went through a major overhaul during the height of the pandemic, and Mindy was part of the team working on this upgrade. Her skills are invaluable in this role, having worked on a website for a small company for many years. Recently, Mindy has been working with updates to our community partner program app that provides information about local businesses providing deals for co-op members.
We are grateful for Suzanne, Mindy and all of the talented volunteers putting in time to bring our Rooted Carrot Cooperative Market to the Cedar Valley! We welcome more volunteers, so if you have time and talent for this committee or others, let us know.