“It feels good to be serving mission-driven organizations.”

New Columinate consultant Chris Morris has diverse areas of expertise that include retail operations leadership, training and development, and merchandising. He can help co-ops looking for a culture and diversity champion or for community partnerships. Morris also has experience and knowledge in management transitions and the FDA Food Code.

Chris Morris answered some questions about what brought him to Columinate and about his areas of focus.

 

What is your background and work history before joining Columinate? 

I’ve spent my career in grocery retail, starting at entry level. I’ve run stores for corporate, family-owned, and cooperative operators. These past several years, I’ve been doing fresh-department training and food safety certification for a large retailer.

What are you working on right now, and what are your focus areas as a Columinate consultant?

I just competed an IGM engagement in Deer Isle, Maine, as interim restructuring manager for the Island Employee Cooperative. As a new consultant, I’ve been working closely with Scot Destasio on this. It’s a worker-owned co-op with two grocery stores, gas pumps, an Ace Hardware-affiliated variety store, and some real estate property.

My focus areas as a consultant will be management on contract or interim general manager (IGM) work with food retailers.

Why did you choose to become a Columinate consultant?

It feels good to be serving mission-driven organizations. I valued my time and development with global companies, but the cooperative model can play a vital role for community and individuals. These two factors have fueled my passion for being a neighborhood grocer, and I feel this work gets me closer to those things and more. I want to keep pushing myself to learn and am fortunate to be part of such an amazing consulting co-op.

I love to travel, and IGM work affords time to really immerse myself in different regions—but it also opens the door to extended breaks for international trips.

What are you excited to take on in the near future?

I look forward to the next journey, wherever that may be. Before then, I’m excited to deliver a smooth hand-off for my client, get them rolling in Columinate’s GM Development program.

Learn more about Chris Morris and get in touch with him here