Mark Gibbs
Born and raised in the Chicago area, Mark has lived and worked as a volunteer high school teacher in theBronx, NY and a financial analyst in Manhattan and Tokyo, Japan, prior to returning to graduate school and a professional career in corporate finance and banking back in Chicago. Mr. Gibbs has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Finance, Strategy and Marketing from The Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University. Mark and his wife Colleen spent the next 15 years living in the Midwest and starting their family.
In 2011, the Gibbs moved to Ashland with the intention of simplifying our lives and refocusing our values and priorities as we pursued raising our three young children in a more nurturing and natural environment. While few plans are perfect, this special community has been wonderful for our family. Today our daily life continues to revolve around the academic, athletic and artistic activities and pursuits of our three children ages 17, 21 and 22. We also especially enjoy gathering with friends and family at our terrific local establishments, hiking and exploring this beautiful region and skiing/biking Mt A. I am fortunate to now have more personal and professional flexibility to directly contribute more time to important local organizations and activities that align with our personal values.
Mark has been on the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors, as an active Member and in an Officer role as Treasurer, since June 2020.
Why do you want to serve as an AFC Board Director?
I currently serve on the AFC Board of Directors and have a strong admiration for the Ashland Food Co-op’s values and mission and its contribution to and very place in this unique community.
I believe both my personal qualities and professional skills and experience will allow me to be a valuable member of the Board. Working on projects with talented, diverse teams that are focused on defining and helping organizations to meet important goals is energizing. I am eager to continue to apply my energy, passion, skills and experience to furthering AFC’s mission and to representing our fellow Members and community.
AFC embodies the human values and community focus I admire. Contributing to further building upon its mission and success would be an honor.
What experience, education, training and/or skills make you particularly qualified to serve on the AFC Board of Directors?
Most directly, my last nearly 3 years as an active AFC Board member and Board Treasurer through a challenging and tumultuous period of time.
I have a mix of characteristics, experiences and skills that I believe will allow me to be an effective and valuable Board member. My 25+ years of professional work and varied life experience, coupled with a robust undergraduate liberal arts and graduate school experience, have provided me with a broad range of experience in negotiating, navigating and executing complex relationships and transactions in often challenging conditions. I have been fortunate to regularly work with many interesting and talented people from all over the world over the years. While the core of my work role and responsibilities was most often financial, it also involved taking a broad consultative approach to problem solving with clients across a variety of industries where we needed to fully understand and add value to its business strategy and operations. During this time I have had regular exposure to board governance issues and have presented financing solutions and strategies to several private and public company boards.
I feel I have a deep understanding and empathy for those among us that are struggling, oppressed or disadvantaged. I was blessed to grow up in a home where kindness and compassion for others was a focus. Very much a “to whom much is given, much is expected” household. My perspective has been further shaped by several profound early life experiences:
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As a college student I spent time volunteering on overnight shifts in a Southside Chicago homeless shelter.
After college I spent one-year as a full time High School mathematics teacher and football and track coach while living on site at Cardinal Hayes High School, a beacon of hope for young people in an underserved, struggling neighborhood in the South Bronx, New York.
And my most important and cherished roles, a father of three and husband for nearly 30 years.
What key opportunities do you think AFC faces?
A store expansion and refresh to increase productivity, selection and better meet the evolving needs and preferences of AFC's Owners, Shoppers and unique Rogue Valley community. Revisit supporting the growth, expansion and health of the local food economy, producers and supply chain. Post pandemic, increase AFC's visibility and presence as a community and cultural leader for the Rogue Valley. As a warm, welcoming store and experience and as the best place to work, shop and commune.
What is your experience/history with natural and organic foods?
The past 3 years on the AFC Board have provided me with in depth experience and exposure. Also, my family and I are environmentally/sustainability minded and have a strong appreciation for and commitment to locally sourced, non-GMO, natural and organic foods. I have great respect for those in the business of growing and producing such food and we support their businesses and efforts whenever possible. Our orientation toward this approach accelerated upon moving to Ashland from Chicago 11 years ago - shifting our shopping to AFC, Shop’n Kart and the local Farmer’s markets from Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Four of our five family members maintain a largely organic and plant based diet today. I also grew up in a family that believed in wholesome, home made food. We avoided fast and restaurant meals, had a large garden and always had 2-3 vegetables per meal.
