2026 Board Candidate
Tammy Brenizer
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
6-10, maybe more as needed.
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
No.
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
I have a basic understanding of the principals. I had also attended a meeting hosted by Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative a few years back and found the benefits of a cooperative makes sense for many more business types than are currently doing it.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
We support our community by working together to provide good-quality, fresh food at lower prices, making everyday essentials more affordable for local families. By partnering with local farmers and producers, we can offer a better selection of foods while keeping dollars circulating close to home. This approach not only strengthens our local economy but also creates lasting benefits through ongoing educational opportunities—such as food preservation, gardening, and farm skills—and by helping neighbors help one another, we can ensure our community remains healthy, connected, and resilient for years to come.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
I don’t see challenges as much as I see opportunities to provide and give back to our community. We can as a community all work together to provide a needed resource at a lower price point. We have a unique opportunity to expand on an existing mainstream business, therefore we can share infrastructure, tap into strong local talent, and offer quality products at better price points. With local farmers, skilled neighbors, and multiple generations working together, this cooperative can grow into a practical, affordable, and long-lasting community resource that supports families and strengthens our local economy for years to come.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
If I joined the board, I would hope to contribute a steady, long-term perspective grounded in listening to community voices and understanding the needs of our neighbors. With deep roots in this area and experience running a business here, I bring an entrepreneurial mindset focused on practical solutions, sustainability, and growth that fits our rural community. I would also support educational opportunities—such as skill-sharing, mentoring, and learning around food, farming, and small business—while creating meaningful ways for people to give back and share, helping ensure the co-op remains strong, inclusive, and beneficial for generations to come.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
Yes. I have experience in budgets, financials, operations, and project management through several roles. As a business owner, independent contractor and working for non-profits, I have managed all aspects of a business, including budgeting, financial statements, working with banks on loans, marketing, and operations. I have also worked on business planning and served as a special projects manager on a political campaign, handling contracts and financial coordination.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
When faced with financial or operational risk, I start by asking, “What is the worst that can happen?” I evaluate all aspects, including costs, benefits, and potential outcomes, and use multiple approaches to analyze the situation before making a thoughtful, informed decision. I will also look at alternatives to the "decision" at hand and see if there is a better opportunity that may have been looked over.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
Yes, I have extensive experience with start-ups, having been involved in family businesses and launching businesses that have successfully endured. I have worked on capital campaigns to raise funds for building construction, expansions, and paying off mortgages, as well as in the non-profit sector raising money for special projects and ongoing needs. I am comfortable asking for support for missions I believe in and have also worked on political campaigns managing fundraising efforts. I am open to both direct asks and creative approaches to generating funds.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
There have been times when I disagreed with a group decision, but I focus first on whether the decision serves the mission and those the organization exists to serve. As long as it is not morally or ethically wrong, I am willing to “bite the bullet,” support the group, and stay engaged, using the opportunity to learn and, if needed, help redirect or improve the process along the way.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
I balance advocating for my perspective with supporting collective decisions by being flexible and choosing the approach that best fits the situation. At times that means listening and holding back, other times asking thoughtful questions or returning to the drawing board to research better alternatives. I’m willing to move forward with the group, find my role along the way, or help redirect if needed. As long as the outcome serves everyone and aligns with the mission, I stay focused on working together to get there.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
I would help attract new members and volunteers by making the co-op something people genuinely want to be part of. This begins with a clear, compelling mission that is visible in our actions and by creating meaningful opportunities for community members to get involved, contribute, and see the impact of their participation. By showing the co-op as a place where people can both meet their own needs and make a difference, we can grow engagement. I am comfortable using a wide range of outreach tools to share this message, including social media, fundraising campaigns, direct asks, parades, local newspapers, mailings, videos, and more.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
Yes. As a lifelong resident, I understand the wide range of people in our area, including full-time residents, part-time residents, and weekend cabin owners. I am comfortable reaching out to people I already know, reconnecting with long-standing local relationships, and building new connections. I also recognize the importance of including the Amish community in shaping the cooperative and its path forward, and I understand that our “area” extends beyond Frederic zip codes to a broader region when we focus on providing quality products at reasonable price points.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
I am a lifelong learner and enjoy taking on new skills and responsibilities. My approach depends on the situation—sometimes I learn by asking others, sometimes by experimenting, researching, or learning from mistakes. I believe that being willing to ask for help and acknowledge when someone else’s expertise is needed is key to successfully mastering anything new.
Are you comfortable asking for guidance when needed?
Yes.
Have you faced an ethical dilemma in a volunteer or professional role?
If so, how did you resolve it?
Yes, I have faced an ethical dilemma in a professional role. When there was no clear path to resolve the situation and it was compromising my ethics, I made the decision to step away, ensuring that I acted with integrity while maintaining respect for all involved.
What would you do if you suspected a board member or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest?
If I suspected a board or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest, I would first address the concern directly with the individual in an effort to reach clarity and mutual understanding. If the issue could not be resolved at that level, I would follow the appropriate next steps to protect the co-op. In cases involving clear financial misconduct and firsthand knowledge, I would immediately bring the matter to the board president and support involving legal authorities as required.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I am committed to helping build a strong foundation of inclusive voices and opportunities to ensure this cooperative thrives. I want to contribute to creating something meaningful and lasting in a community and region I deeply treasure.