SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
What is the Board of Directors and what does it do?
The Board of Directors is the governing body for the owners of Tidal Creek Co-op. It is composed of nine people, all Owners of Tidal Creek, elected by Owners. A maximum of two directors may also be employed by the cooperative, although all directors represent the ownership at large rather than any special subgroup. Terms for Directors may range from one to three years as needed to ensure no more than three terms are scheduled to expire every year. The board is responsible for ensuring organizational performance on behalf of all of Tidal Creek Co-op Owners.
This work includes developing clearly stated expectations through written policies; delegating responsibility for, and authority over, the achievement of stated objectives; and monitoring compliance with written policies. The Board of Tidal Creek Co-op should be strategic and visionary with its view toward the future of our Cooperative, and how we can make a difference in our community, rather than focusing solely on the short-term. By devoting time to focus on the big-picture vision of Tidal Creek, the board will ensure that we adequately position our organization for the maximum benefit of our Owners.
The Board governs the organization and delegates all operational duties to one employee, the General Manager. They are involved in strategic planning, financial oversight, ownership linkage and community outreach.
What does the Board of Directors NOT do?
The Board of Directors does not make decisions about, become involved with, or take part in any of the day-to-day activities or decisions regarding the operation of Tidal Creek Co-op. The Board’s sole official connection to the operations of the cooperative is through the General Manager.
Board of Directors documentation
TIDAL CREEK COOPERATIVE BYLAWS
Meet Our 2024-25 Board of Directors
Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market has been community owned since 1982.
Charlotte Mundy (President)
Email:cmundy4116@gmail.com.coop
Charlotte settled in Wilmington in 2021 after retiring from 22 years of active duty in the US Coast Guard. She built her forever home and is honored to care-take over an acre of land in Myrtle Grove she calls Pond Place. After living on both coasts, in Hawaii, overseas, in big cities, and on country roads, she delights in coastal North Carolina’s natural beauty, Wilmington’s unique energy, and the Tidal Creek Food Co-op community.
Sarah Fletcher (Vice President)
Email: sarahfdaniels@gmail.com
Sarah has lived in Wilmington for fifteen years and works at UNC Wilmington as the director of a program that supports local nonprofit organizations. Previously, they led organizations working on issues related to local food systems and disaster response. Some of their other activities and interests include civic engagement, carpentry, kickboxing, walking at the beach, and playing viola with the Long Bay Symphony. Sarah lives with their two cats, Captain and Marvel.
Joe Kertesz (Treasurer)
Email: joe.kertesz@gmail.com
Joe is a native of Michigan but has been in North Carolina most of his life. He moved to Wilmington in 1996 with his wife and one of his sons. He has been an owner of the Co-op since that time. He’s a long-time member of the Board of Directors. He’s a mental health therapist and educator. His passions include his family, his work, Tidal Creek, photography, racquetball and activities near/in the water.
Mary Wilson
Email: wilsonhealthcoach@gmail.com
Mary Wilson is a native Philadelphian who has lived in Burlington Vermont, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Walnut Creek California. She moved to Wilmington NC in 2021 and became a member of the Co-op shortly after arriving. She has worked as a Medical and Psychiatric Social Worker for over twenty-five years and served on various hospital boards. She started a community based mental health agency while living in Nevada and now focuses on her holistic endeavors as a Wellness Coach and AromaTouch therapist. Mary enjoys a multitude of activities; hot yoga, weight lifting, pilates, and Spin just to name a few. When not exercising she enjoys the beach and motivating others to live the life that they dream.
Kim Hetzer
Email: kim.hetzer@gmail.com
Kim grew up in Frederick, MD and in 2016, she moved to NC to enjoy the beach life. She has worn several hats in her professional life (too many in the corporate world) and in 2020, she landed right where she feels she belongs in the realm of Functional Medicine Health and Wellness – helping others to thrive and explore their health curiosities. Besides the beach, she finds peace and clarity in nature and loves to hike and bike through the forest trails with her husband and son. As an animal advocate, she has rescued many cats in her life and finds it important to make a better life for them.
Nimara Snyder Gillcrist
Email: nimaralynnsnyder@yahoo.com
Nimara was born in Wilmington. While living most of her life away from here, she graduated from NHHS. She has a degree in biology from NCATSU where she played on the volleyball team for 4 years. She later attended Life University’s College of Chiropractic because of its premise: The power that made the body heals it. She has a private practice where she currently works part-time. She’s married to her wife Kristin for 10 years. They have a 2 year old daughter Ela & 2 fur babies-Sandy & Pepperoni. She also sings and plays guitar around town.
Sara Silika
Email: sushibynikki@yahoo.com
Sara was born and raised in Wilmington, and after completing her undergraduate biology degree at UNCG, she returned to the Port City. Being back by the ocean has reawakened her passion for aquatic ecosystems, and she looks forward to pursuing graduate school for marine biology in the future and contributing to the research that is being done to protect the Earth’s waters. In her free time, she enjoys reading, surfing, live music, petting strangers’ dogs, and bantering with her friends at the Co-op.
Catherine Timpy
Email: ctimpy@gmail.com
Catherine graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management. She first became acquainted with the principles of a food co-op in Norfolk, VA while working at Old Dominion University in 1978. She went on to serve as Park Manager of City Park in Portsmouth, VA and also worked with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in the early 1980’s. She was then hired as an Environmental Specialist on the Development Review staff with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, where she lived and worked from 1986 until moving to Wilmington in 1991. She attained North Carolina Registered Sanitarian certification and is a retired Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Catherine has three grown children and enjoys making plant-based foods, nut mylks, and juices; reading, music, fishing with her husband Dave and playing with her pup Shea.
Joe Abbate
Email: capefearnaturalist@gmail.com
Originally, from the northeast, Joe settled in Wilmington in 1996. Joe has been both a volunteer, worked in the kitchen l and barista employee with Tidal Creek since 1999. He received a master’s degree in Environmental Science from UNCW with a concentration on ornithological research and education. Working for NC Audubon Society , Nature Conservancy, and Cape Fear River Watch he developed a passion for Avian research and Outdoor Environmental Education. In 2006 he created Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours , an eco-education/tourism based charter boat business. Joe’s passion for environmental education , sustainable organic farming, and community activism has lead him to be a board member at Tidal Creek.