Rick Daggett

Communications Director

Why do you want to be on the Outpost Natural Foods Board of Directors?

My wife and I have been owners for a number of years. We support Outpost Natural Foods because of the quality of the foods, the commitment to local agriculture, the helpful and knowledgeable staff, and the sense of community that the co-op enables. I want to help serve Outpost Naturals Foods by participating on the Board of Directors because I believe the Co-op plays an important role in helping to build a more sustainable food system that provides local, healthy food options. Outpost Natural Foods is a unique offering to our community in both its product offerings, as well as its local control. I'd like to do my part to help steer Outpost Natural Foods to continue to be focused on executing organizational values and operating on behalf of the Co-op's owners.

What professional skills do you bring to a Board position of a $50 million business?

I have over 20 years experience in marketing, branding, and communications. I have worked for both publicly-owned as well as privately-owned organizations. I started my career working at advertising agencies where I worked on behalf of clients as a trusted consultant. I have experience in all aspect of marketing, including managing muti-million-dollar budgets and leading cross-functional teams. I also have deep digital experience having served in multiple roles that focused on digital tools, platforms and solutions to help build brands and better enable organizations. I am a strategic thinker, and enjoy building foundational organizational strategies focused on achieving key objectives. I have experience in optimizing operational efficiencies through process improvements via a multi-stakeholder approach. I also bring audience and customer understanding to the table using quantitative and qualitative research. Finally, I'm a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison where I received my undergraduate degree in Communications.

Please describe how you would contribute to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of the board.

I believe that the health of any organization is rooted in its ability to seek out diverse perspectives and to build a culture where ideas from all are welcomed and shared. Outpost Natural Foods serves our community, which is rich and varied. To that end I think it's important to ensure we give Co-op owners opportunities to be heard, and to ensure that Outpost Natural Foods is mindful of the diverse population it serves from all aspects. As for myself, I bring my own lived experiences to the table. I'm a husband and a father of young children. I'm a working parent. I believe in the value of strong, supportive, local communities. And I believe in being stewards of the planet for future generations, including the importance of reducing our footprint, both individually and in the organizations in which we participate.

Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives.

I currently volunteer on the Big Brothers Big Sisters - Wisconsin Shoreline chapter on the External Affairs committee. I'm also a certified Wisconsin Master Naturalist, where I volunteer with various environmental and community groups across the state. I previously was also a volunteer with the Taproot Foundation. In that capacity I consulted with the Illinois Poison Center as a communications professional. I have also been a volunteer marketing consultant for the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts and I have participated in various Milwaukee-area advertising and marketing professional organizations.