Getting to Know Council: Deborah Rhea

By David Durrett – a current intern at GreenStar Food Co+op, David Durrett is a lifelong resident of Ithaca as well as a graduate of Ithaca College. He is a freelance reporter whose work has also appeared in Tompkins Weekly and The Ithaca Voice, among other publications. 

In 2006, Deborah Rhea relocated from Europe to Cortland, NY with her husband and two sons. One of her first endeavors after her move was to seek a food cooperative, leading her to become a member of GreenStar Food Co+op.

Deborah has been a long-time supporter of cooperatives, and even volunteered at one in Arizona. But she hadn’t considered running for GreenStar’s Council until she was approached by fellow member and Council President, Marilyn Chase.

Deborah views GreenStar as a rarity in Central New York and believes it is essential to supporting local farmers and small businesses in the region, which is why she chose to run for the volunteer position.

“GreenStar is an asset for farmers and local producers who distribute their products through GreenStar,” Deborah said. “Rather than transporting their product to larger cities for distribution, the Co-op is an additional resource for local businesses to sell their product to and gain customers.”

Deborah was elected to a two-year term in Fall 2021 and elected by Council as its Treasurer.

With an MBA in finance and a PhD. in government and leadership, Deborah brings vast experience in finance and organizational leadership to her role on Council.

“Any place I’ve ever lived, if there was a co-op, I’d shop there,” Deborah said. “I really want to see the Co-op persevere; it went through a terrible time during the pandemic. I think I can assist to create the financial stability that it needs to remain financially solvent.”

Deborah points out that GreenStar is a $25 million cooperative business, and as a business, needs good managers. Deborah is proud that GreenStar’s Council recently hired a new General Manager, Jeff Bessmer, and is optimistic for GreenStar’s future.

According to Deborah, people who are considering serving on Council must be ready to act in the best interests of the Co-op.

“Council members should be interested in ensuring that the Co-op is solvent and be ready to really understand the difference between the role of the board and the role of management,” Deborah said. “I think GreenStar is a very noble operation, and I would strongly urge anybody who is interested in maintaining ethical oversight for the Co-op to come prepared to do what’s best for the Co-op.”