ABOUT the
Oklahoma Worker
Cooperative Network
The mission of the Oklahoma Worker Cooperative
Network is to promote the development
of worker coops in the state of Oklahoma by creating a structure
of support, involving education,
business incubation, access to financing, and training, that
empowers stakeholders to bring about
economic opportunity, personal development, and revitalized
local communities. The Oklahoma Worker Cooperative Network
operates as a limited cooperative association.
We
envision
an interconnected system of worker owned cooperatives that
fosters fairness and security for local economies,
functions in harmony with local ecosystems, supports just, safe
and democratic worker environments, and provides
the basis for a joyful, prosperous community life for all
Oklahomans.
Our
Business Plan
Board of
Directors
Viky Zipf
Vicky Zipf moved to Oklahoma from Minnetonka, Minnesota in 1982. She
is currently the Box Office Manager for Carpenter Square Theatre,
Inc. She has many years of experience in restaurant and retail
openings, concept development and operations. Vicky is eager to work
with a group that realizes the importance of inspiring teams to
reach new heights, which is the fundamental principle that defines
and propels her.
Matt Jordan
Matthew Jordan, a field
organizer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees public employees union (AFSCME),
has a decade of union experience, is a community activist and
leader, and believes that focusing on local elections, businesses,
and
community organizations is the best way to balance the economy and
empower the people.
J.D. Thompson
J.D. Thompson is a native
Oklahoman. He is a musician and published author, and sings and
writes with the passion, conviction, and
authenticity of a modern Woodie Guthrie. He has long experience as a
worker and organizer. He lived for several years in Ireland where
he honed his musical, literary, and political organizing skills. In
2005, he returned to the U.S. and worked as a labor organizer. He is
presently
pursuing degree work at the University of Oklahoma. A father, he is
committed to ensuring that his son will inherit a world of
opportunities,
justice, prosperity, and peace.
Robert Waldrop
Robert Waldrop is a native, fourth-generation Okie, originally from
Frederick in the southwest part of the state.
He is one of the founders of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. He works
as the director of music at the Church of the
Epiphany of the Lord. Robert is the founder of the Oscar Romero
Catholic Worker House, which works in food security
for low income households. He holds a certificate in permaculture
design from Barking Frogs Permaculture in Florida.
Paul Wellman
Paul Wellman has been in the construction industry for over forty
years, with experience in several different construction fields,
using many different mediums. He has been thinking about humanity's
impact on the planet for longer than he has been in
construction. It is Paul's belief that the current tide of
sustainable “green” consciousness is a sign of our awakening to what
we
have been doing to the planet and to ourselves. Paul is dedicated to
helping spur this wave of dramatic change in the way we
do business and organize our communities. Paul believes cooperative,
grassroots action is a foundation for all this to happen. Paul
is using his varied experience in construction to research and find
better, greener and more sustainable ways of building.
Please visit http://www.greenearthstructures.com
to see more of Paul's ideas.
Tom Barlow
(Bio coming soon.)
John Rushton
Advisory
Board
(organizational
affiliations
given for identification purposes only)
Todd Goodman, Vice Chair, Caddo Nation
Kara McKee, General Operations Manager, Oklahoma Food Cooperative
Senator Andrew Rice, Oklahoma State Senate
Dr. Ed Shadid, Oklahoma City
Council District 2
Chelsey Simpson, President, Oklahoma Food Cooperative
Kathy Tibbits, Cherokee Small Farm Project, Tribal Strategy
Consultant
Dr. Phil Kenkel, Professor of Cooperative Studies, Oklahoma State
University
Shauna Struby, Transition OKC
Susie Shields, Sierra Club
Dr. John Wood, Guthrie City Council member, Professor of Political
Science at Rose State
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