Central Co-Op Appoints New CEO

Seattle-based Central Co-op has named Catherine Willis Cleveland as its new CEO, effective March 25. She will replace the community-owned grocer’s long-term interim CEO Garland McQueen, who in January announced his intentions to leave the company for family reasons.

Cleveland brings with her 13 years of grocery retail experience, in which she served as a store director and community relations manager at PCC Community Markets, as well as 10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.

McQueen will remain with the company for a short transition period to ensure continuity with the Co-op’s anticipated store opening in Tacoma, Wash., in the coming months.

“Central Co-op is a model for building sustainable communities and a hub for celebrating healthy food,” Cleveland said in a statement. “When I was growing up, my mother coordinated a cooperative produce buying club off our front porch, and I have carried those cooperative values with me ever since. I am thrilled to be taking this leadership role at Central Co-op and to help guide this community-grown grocer into the future.”

Cleveland has managed annual budgets of $23 million, overseen staff teams of more than 100 employees and pursued extensive public relations and community outreach strategies. She has also raised millions of dollars in nonprofit fundraising.  

“We are thrilled with Catherine’s blend of retail co-op and nonprofit experience,” Central Co-op Board Chair Brian Bessembinders said in a statement. “Her past success in managing PCC stores, her familiarity with the cooperative business model, and her extensive experience contributing to the growth of nonprofits make us confident that she will be able to hit the ground running as we celebrate the opening of our new Tacoma store and look ahead to future projects at our Seattle store and beyond.”

A community-owned natural foods cooperative, Central Co-op has more than 14,500 active owners, following a solidarity model with both worker and consumer ownership. Its stores feature organic produce, humanely raised meat and wild seafood, a selection of bulk goods and herbs, and an extensive health and wellness section. The cooperative merged with Tacoma Food Co-op in 2016.