Board Bios
Board Chair Alex Beamer has been the owner and general manager of LifeSource Natural Foods in Salem, OR since 1994. Alex has been an INFRA member and board member since LifeSource joined in 2007. Alex owned Keaau Natural Foods in Keaau, HA from 1983 to 2006. LifeSource was awarded the NPA's Socially Responsible Retailer Award for 2008.
Vice Chair Joe Nolan and his wife opened Good Harvest Market in Waukesha, WI in 2005. Joe joined the INFRA board shortly after Good Harvest Market joined in 2007. Joe recently retired after 25 succesful years as a Financial Advisor in Waukesha.
Secretary/Treasurer Laughing Water founded the Real Food Market + Deli in Helena, MT in 1975. LW has been working with INFRA since the Real Food Market + Deli joined in 2005. LW has also served on the boards of the Organic Certification Association of Montana, the Natural Products Association (NW and national), and the Provender Alliance. LW was awarded a Lifetime of Service Award from the Montana Organic Association, and Real Food Market + Deli was awarded Best of Helena awards in Deli, Vegetarian Food, and Produce categories.
Director Summer Auerbach grew up in Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets and took over operations in 2004, with stores in Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN. Summer has been working with INFRA since Rainbow Blossom joined in 2005. Summer grew up in the natural foods industry, was recognized as a “Forty under 40” by Business First, and was named Most Admired Woman by Today’s Woman Magazine in 2011. Rainbow Blossom is a two-time recipient of the Business First 2010 “Fast 50” which recognizes the 50 fastest growing privately owned companies in the Louisville Area. Rainbow Blossom was the 2005 winner of the NPA’s Socially Responsible Retailer Award.
Director Terry Brett co-founded Kimberton Whole Foods in 1986, now in Kimberton, Downington, Douglassville, and Ottsville, PA. Terry has been working with INFRA since Kimberton joined in 2005. Terry started his career in the natural foods industry as the co-creator of Seven Stars Biodynamic Yogurt and the Seven Stars Farm store, before its success necessitated its move and rename to Kimberton Whole Foods. Terry received the Excellence in Business Award from The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture for Kimberton Whole Food's support for sustainable agriculture in 2009.
Director Aaron Gottschalk has been with Wildberries Marketplace in Arcata, CA since 1995, and has been their Store Manager since 1999. Aaron has been working with INFRA since Wildberries joined in 2006. Prior to his work with Wildberries, Aaron had 6 years in the industry working at Quincy Natural Foods in Quincy, CA.
Director Kimberly Hallinan has been with New Leaf Community Markets since 1985, which exists in Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Capitola, Boulder Creek, Felton, and San Jose, CA. Kimberly has been working with INFRA since NewLeaf Community Markets helped found INFRA in 2004. Prior to her work with New Leaf, Kimberly worked at a worker-owned nutbutter manufacturer in a variety of capacities.
Director Jennifer Murray has been the General Manager for Whole Earth Center in Princeton, NJ since 1999. Jennifer has been with INFRA since Whole Earth joined in 2005. Prior to her work with Whole Earth, Jennifer worked in natural foods for more than two decades.
Director John Pittari is the owner of New Morning Natural and Organic Foods in Woodbury, CT. John serves on the Board of the Connecticut Farmstead Dairy Alliance, the Advisory Board for BuyCTGrown.com, and has been a local Audubon Board Member for seven years.
Director Cindy Weinfurter and her husband opened The Free Market in Appleton, WI in 2003. Cindy has been with INFRA since the Free Market joined in 2005. Prior to owning The Free Market, Cindy has been working in Natural Foods since 1979.