Email Eric

Eric is an experienced retail leader with 21 years in retail operations, 17 of them in retail management, and 14 years specifically in grocery operations.

At 16 years old, he started pushing carts for a regional grocer; this began his fascination with the grocery business. He went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Temple University in 2010 with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, he rejoined the grocery industry as an Assistant Store Manager. In 2013, he joined a large international grocer, where he continued to manage stores.

Eric has held various leadership roles, including training new store management, helping with new store openings, serving as a district green captain (which focused on a store’s environmental impact), and being a district lead for a business resource group that focused on awareness and barrier removal for those shoppers with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Most recently, Eric was a store manager for a large grocery cooperative, where he continued his focus on training and development. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, volunteering in the community, hiking, walking, and listening to music.

Says Eric: “I am thrilled to take part in the historical movement that is creating a community hub in the heart of Bethlehem. It’s an exciting opportunity to offer healthy, locally sourced and reasonably-priced food in a fun and inviting atmosphere.”

Email Carol

A lifelong organic gardener, Carol has a special interest in a community-owned grocery store in downtown Bethlehem with many healthy options for all. She is enthusiastic about supporting local providers and educating the community about sustainability and local impact.

Born and raised in Bethlehem, Carol is the co-founder of Caroltalks.com. She is an award-winning professional speaker, fundraising strategist, executive coach, featured writer, and small business and non-profit consultant. Carol has presented to over half a million educational, non-profit, and small business leaders nationwide. Her team has raised millions of dollars for Lehigh Valley non-profits and has developed strong, innovative boards and committed volunteer teams.

Carol currently serves on the Steering Committee for Lehigh Valley Reads and the Zoning Board for the City of Bethlehem. Formerly, she served as President of the National Speakers Association in Philadelphia and as board chair for St. Lukes Hospital VNA and Hospice. Her awards include Pennsylvania’s Speaker of the Year, Most Likely to Succeed in the Speaking Business and recently the “Good Scout” award given by the Boy Scouts of America.

Heather and her family have lived in the City of Bethlehem for the past 12 years and are pioneering members of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op since its incorporation in 2013. She is the Executive Director of a local healthcare organization, promotes organic gardening at home, and recently expanded gardening into her work-life by encouraging her employees to build several raised vegetable and flower beds.

She earned her Real Estate license six years ago and enjoys helping first-time home buyers in making their home ownership dreams a reality. She believes in supporting local farmers and businesses in order to strengthen the community and is passionate about opening a food co-op in her hometown of Bethlehem. Her first co-op experience occurred years ago when she visited Ithaca, New York’s GreenStar Natural Foods Market, witnessing the similarities between the cities of Ithaca and Bethlehem. Throughout the years and weekend trips to Ithaca, Heather dreamed of being a member of her own food co-op.

Heather previously served on the Bethlehem Food Co-Op’s Real Estate Committee in an effort to research properties for the future co-op home. She is interested in the physical plant location in order to bring food to local residents who may not have the means to easily access quality food. Heather enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her family, specifically hiking, kayaking, biking and gardening.

Deb is a retired National Service Representative, having traveled around the country training volunteer leaders in her work for the National PTA for 13 years; previously she had been a volunteer for the PTA for 30 years. She has lived in West Bethlehem for over ten years and has five grandchildren. She is also active in her church, where she has been a choir member and served as a trustee. Deb enjoys her flower gardens, yoga, motorcycle riding and spending time with her family.

Says Deb: “I am an avid conservationist with a strong belief in protecting the environment. I became a member of the co-op because I have seen the critical need to promote healthy lifestyles utilizing locally grown products, as I view my community as part of a larger family. I look forward to working with the board to create a healthy, sustainable grocery which will enhance the nutritional needs of our community, while developing an educational/ informational platform to support future generations.”

Domenic is a resident of the north downtown area of Bethlehem – where our new store will be built. He joined the co-op in June of 2017, and volunteered with the Finance Committee before being chosen to serve as treasurer, and then elected to the Board in October 2020.

He has a BS in Computer Science from Bloomsburg University and an MBA from DeSales University. He has held a number of leadership positions for large companies in the Lehigh Valley, and is currently leading the Cyber Security Team at Lutron Electronics.

Domenic writes, “I am an amateur, albeit passionate, cook, gardener, and home brewer who is equally passionate about locally sourced organic food. I believe that having a thriving local food system is essential to our community’s health – physical and economic – and to the sustainability of our environment. Affordable access to locally sourced food should be available to everyone and I am excited to be part of the team that will help the Bethlehem Food Co-Op play this important role for our community.”

Having worked around the country at a number of high-end kitchens, Justin and his family moved back to the Lehigh Valley in 2022 and joined the co-op shortly after. He was elected to the BFC board in October of 2022. He is a chef with a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, focusing on farm to table dining, and he now works in a local event venue.

Justin feels strongly about using high-quality, fresh ingredients in food preparation, and is committed to ensuring they will be available in our store. He brings experience with local sustainable agriculture, product knowledge, and previous financial responsibilities running restaurants to our board.

He believes food insecurity is one of the greatest threats that children and families in America deal with on a daily basis. It’s his life goal to create a community where children won’t have to worry about where their next meal comes from. Bethlehem having a successful co-op is an incredibly valuable resource for our community.

Kathy has resided in Bethlehem since 2010 and has been a member of the co-op since 2014. Besides joining the BFC, her passion for the environment has also led her to joining or starting other organizations which believe in sustainable living and protecting the earth for future generations. She is a former member of the City of Bethlehem’s Environmental Advisory Council and current co-chair of the Northampton County Council of Democratic Women’s Environmental Committee.

She believes food is our first medicine and makes an effort to shop at farmer’s markets, organic farms, local health food stores, and grows her own organic vegetables and fruit in her yard. She looks forward to shopping at a community-owned, full-service grocery store in downtown Bethlehem. Kathy also has a passion for swing dancing, specifically the Lindy Hop, and is always looking forward to the next dance.

Cindy grew up in Bethlehem, attended local schools and graduated from Moravian College (now Moravian University). She is a retired corporate affairs manager, experienced in corporate communications, community relations and grant making. Cindy continues to be active in the community, currently serving as vice president of Touchstone Theatre, and as a member of the Investment Committee at the United Way and of the Rotary Club of Bethlehem.

Cindy became a member of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op because of her interest in locally grown food, strong belief in the importance of farmland preservation and strengthening the local economy. She loves to garden, enjoys participating in community events and relaxing with a good book. She has two grown children and cherishes time with her twin grandsons and visiting her two grandchildren in Arizona whenever she can.

Tony is a Bethlehem resident, and joined the co-op in the summer of 2020, although he says he has been interested and following our progress since his friend Elliot Nolter became secretary of the board.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management and was the Chef/Owner of Innovative Mobile Catering, which operated in Pittsburgh from 2012-2017. For the past two years he has been serving as the Chef/Secretary of the Portuguese American Club of Bethlehem.

Tony shares: “I believe that I have a very unique skill set that provides creative, innovative and sustainable ideas to create an amazing experience for the members/shoppers of the BFC. My passion for food and hospitality has taken me on many adventures throughout my career. I love to share my talents with the co-op and help provide delicious and healthy food to the community.  I am dedicated to working with the other board members in any way to ensure that the BFC comes to fruition!”

Todd moved back to the Lehigh Valley area in the summer of 2021, and joined the co-op shortly after. He is the parent of two grown children and new grandparent of one, and his daughter and her husband  have also joined our co-op.

Todd is employed at Dun & Bradstreet as the Senior Director of Client Learning; he is also a leadership coach and consultant for D&B’s new managers. He brings many years of leadership experience with other community-based organizations to his new position, and is an active volunteer with several organizations.

An avid indoor and outdoor gardener, he attributes his green thumb to two women in his life – his mother and great-grandmother. One of his pet projects is two raised-bed gardens he built with his partner to do some vegetable gardening in the summer. He enjoys running and biking, and says, “I love food and I love even more when I know where my food was born and raised. I can’t think of a better cause to spend time and energy on than a food co-op.”