The Board of Directors
SLO Food Co-op is owned by our membership and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Natasha Prybyla, Board President
San Luis Obispo County is home to many different grocery stores, but none are quite as special as our co-op. Moving here from Southern California to study Broadcast Journalism at Cal-Poly introduced me to so many hidden gems, including what is now known as SLO Food Co-op. As a regular customer of the co-op for the past 8 years, it has been a real joy watching all of the amazing changes that have occurred.
It excites me to be a part of this board so I can be involved with an organization that shares my values and supports our local community. As a Certified Massage Therapist and Owner of SLOCO Massage & Wellness Spa, I've been on a journey of learning how to be kinder to myself and to the planet while educating the people around me on how to take baby steps to kick start their journey.
I am very big on learning about ingredients, too, and have done a lot of research on quality natural products that work, so I may even be able to introduce some popular products that support the Co-op's mission of empowering the community with information. Once people understand what is in the food found in more traditional grocery stores, they will realize there is no better place to shop than the co-op!
Kellye Grayson, Board Vice President
While I have lived all over the country, there is no place that tops the Central Coast! I grew up in Denver, went to college in Boston, received a law degree at UCLA, and raised my kids in East Hampton, NY where I had a successful career in real estate. When I discovered the Central Coast, I knew I had found my home and have set about rebuilding my real estate business here at The Avenue Central Coast Realty.
Part of what makes this area such a fantastic place to live is the wide variety of local, healthy food options. Eating wholesome, nourishing foods is a big priority for me, and I am so delighted to pursue this priority, not just for me, but for the entire community by serving on the SLO Food Co-op Board of Directors.
Robert Hyde,
Board Treasurer
Unlike the other Board Members, my passion for food is mostly around consuming it! However, I am very passionate about seeing small businesses thrive in our community, and that was my reason for joining the Board. I have had 25 years of experience in the corporate arena where I served as a C-Level executive of four environmental equipment companies, the largest of which had over 1000 employees.
For 15 years I have been involved in coaching business owners to improve results as well as placing candidates into small business ownership through franchise purchases. While I’m still am active in my own business, I volunteer as much of my time as I possibly can. I truly enjoy helping other business owners or prospective business owners achieve their dreams. For two years I have had the honor of being a Certified Mentor for SCORE. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. I also support the SCORE mission by being the fundraising liaison for our banking sponsors.
Eric Michielssen, Board Member
The Organic foods movement led to my involvement with the Co-op first as a farmer supplying eggs and produce and later as an investor through Slow Money SLO to help move the store to it’s current location.
I grew up in a food and farm family in the Pajaro Valley in Santa Cruz County, picking and packing ollalieberries, plums, and apples. After high school, I moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly on a football scholarship. Later, I taught and coached high school tennis. In the late 70’s, when real estate was booming, I jumped in head-first and eventually owned franchises of both Coldwell Banker and Better Homes & Gardens. I also developed sma+ll subdivisions and townhome projects in Atascadero.
The Cooperative business model provides an alternative to the basic profit-motivated economic system. As members of the Co-op, we own the store and keep any profits local, re-distributing throughout the community rather than in some hedge-fund in Manhattan. As a Director of SLO Food Co-op, I want to continue to contribute to our success and have a voice in plans for our future.
Cheryl Vines,
Board Member
Cheryl is a native Californian and has lived on the Central Coast most of her life.
She grew up in Nipomo, where she resides with her husband of thirty-nine years. She is Owner/Interior Designer of Mesa Design Group, a full service interior and landscape design firm since 2008 (Black owned and operated). Cheryl received her formal education in Interior Design from UC Riverside.
Cheryl is an active member in her community and is one of the founders and a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) SLO County. She is a lifetime member and currently serves as secretary, chair of WIN (Women in the NAACP) and Juneteenth Chairperson.
Peter Sterios, Board Member
I'm a local Architect & Yoga Teacher with interests in Health & Wellness, Travel, and parenting my 15 year old. I'm excited for the opportunity to serve the Co-op community and support it's growth, providing health and wellness to the greater SLO community. As an architect, I can assist and support the Co-op in planning of facilities as we grow.
I believe building strong community is essential for the success of the Co-op, and any business these days. Exceptional service is what sets us apart, and I feel I can offer tools to support that.
Jeff Jamieson, Board Member
I have a small furniture business here in SLO that mainly fabricated Donald Judd's furniture. I taught art and design at both Cuesta and Cal Poly over the years and have traveled widely installing artwork. I love to cook and bake. I play a lot of 'old people' soccer. I love architecture and design. The Co-op is important to me; I agree with the concept of small local stakeholders operating a grocery store so they can be able to make local decisions and have the best interests in mind for shoppers, workers, and the entire community.
Seeing the store's qualities in person day to day, such as helpful staff, quality produce and overall calm vibe (even during the pandemic) is something I want to nurture and help with. I enjoy people and projects. Talking through ideas and executing a concept. I have been involved in many large projects over the years and have design experience, building experience, along with many years of
working with people toward a common goal.