Our Board of Directors is made up of Co-op Owners, elected by fellow Owners, who volunteer their time to act on the community's behalf to ensure a vibrant cooperative vision for the store. They develop and maintain policies to provide overall direction and ensure the long-range security and viability of the Co-op, developing policies necessary to carry out the Board's duties and the Co-op's functions.
The Board does this through the following:
- Creating and sustaining a relationship with the member/ownership
- Hiring and overseeing the work of the General Manager
- Planning yearly goals for the organization
- Creating committees to accomplish large-scale projects
- Ongoing education, training, and recruitment for the Board
The Board does not make decisions about or become involved with any of the day-to-day activities or decisions regarding the operations of the store. The Board’s sole connection to operations is through the General Manager.
The Board and General Manager report to you, the Owners, on the state of the Co-op at our Annual Owners Meeting. Most importantly, you support the growth and mission of the Co-op through your patronage and loyalty.
If you'd like to find out more, board meetings are open to all Owners as observers. Board meetings are currently being held in hybrid form, both in-person in the Community Room and virtually via video conference. If you'd like to attend, click the Contact the Board of Directors button below to request a link for the next meeting.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Drew Dix, President
Drew is recently retired from the nation's leading office and home fruit delivery company, The Fruit Guys, which provides fresh produce and healthy snack options to business break rooms. As Director of Sales Development for The FruitGuys, he managed regional U.S. sales hubs that network local farms for produce distribution to homes and offices. Drew has 35 years of business development and performing arts experience and has worked with the American Press Institute, Times-Shamrock Communications, the Specialty Food Association, and the NY Botanical Garden, among others. In addition to performing in New York and in regional theater, he founded and directed a not-for-profit theater company in New York City, co-directed a major NJ outdoor music festival for 14 years and is a member of Actors Equity performance union. Drew also conducts acting workshops in Greensboro, and coaches public speaking!
Spoma Jovanovic, Co-Vice President
Spoma Jovanovic moved to Greensboro in 2001 and worked at UNC-Greensboro as a professor in the Department of Communication Studies until 2022. That same year, she was elected to the Deep Roots Market Board of Directors and then re-elected in 2025 after serving a term as board president. Spoma brings her interests in community, justice, and ethics, and food to her board member duties with the goal of ensuring our co-op continues to expand its many contributions to a strong quality of life. She says an unexpected bonus of serving on the board has been getting to know the highly talented and committed staff members at Deep Roots and her fellow board members who, like her, are drawn to supporting local farmers, vendors, and seeing democracy in action in Deep Roots’ operations. Spoma lives with her husband, retired civil rights attorney Lewis Pitts, and their wonderfully boisterous beagle, Bernie, in College Hill. Her own garden features tomatoes that the squirrels devour, basil that bugs feast on, and a variety of backyard plants that Bernie the beagle finds irresistible to chomp on, down to their roots.
Mollie Blafer, Co-Vice President
Mollie Blafer (she/her) is originally from New Jersey but moved to Greensboro in 2018 to work at Guilford College. She immediately fell in love with the community and became a member of Deep Roots Market. She is passionate about creating inclusive communities, both personally and professionally. She is excited to support Deep Roots Market in continuing to create a healthy and sustainable future by serving on the board. Currently, she serves as a Program Manager for a national nonprofit, the Association of University Centers on Disability. Previously she was the Network Data and Systems Specialist for a Guilford County-specific initiative to improve maternal and early childhood access to resources at Ready for School, Ready for Life.
Debra Smith El, Treasurer
Debra Smith El is a seasoned accounting professional with over 15 years of experience in financial operations, client service, and organizational support. She has lived in Greensboro, North Carolina for more than 20 years and is deeply invested in the local community. Debra currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Deep Roots Market, where she contributes her expertise in accounting and governance to support the co-op’s mission of sustainability and community well-being. Debra is the owner of Smith El Tax And Business Center, where she provides personalized tax, bookkeeping, and small business consulting services. Her work is rooted in a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening local economic resilience.
Khaila Daye, Assistant Treasurer
Khaila has a strong connection to the Co-op. She began her journey as a cashier while pursuing her Master's Degree in Agribusiness Management at NC A&T. Currently, she is the blueberry, greenhouse vegetable, peach and watermelon marketing specialist at the NC Department of Agriculture. She has experienced firsthand the impact of cooperative values on community well-being. Deep Roots serves as a beacon of inclusivity and support, providing a safe space for all individuals to come as they are, which are important values to Khaila. As a supporter of local nonprofits, Khaila understands the importance of giving back and valuing people over profits. Deep Roots has not only changed her life, but it inspired her to advocate for cooperative principles and community engagement.
Brittany Peters, Secretary
Brittany began her journey in the cooperative food movement in 2013 at the Dill Pickle Food Co-op in Chicago. Through her participation in the Co-op, her life was radically changed. She moved to Greensboro (because it had a food Co-op) in 2016, and started to work at Deep Roots. She continued to work for the store until 2023. She is enthusiastic to serve the store in her new role as the Boards Secretary. She runs Sun and Soil Farm with her husband in Madison, NC where they organically grow an assortment of vegetables, herbs, fruits & flowers. Brittany's life passion is creating a vibrant local food system that supports producers, farmers & the community. Brittany's other hobbies include homesteading, winemaking, camping, quilting, cooking, learning, reading & spreadsheets.
Lisa Hinton, Assistant Secretary
Lisa Donkor is a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems and a dedicated supporter of Deep Roots Market. Her experience managing sustainable agriculture at Live Well Community Farm and volunteering in community gardens underscores her commitment to improving food accessibility for all. As the founder of Safe Place Transportation LLC, she has demonstrated leadership in serving underserved populations, further complemented by her role as a board member for Too Much TV and active involvement in community initiatives. Eager to contribute her skills and experience to the Deep Roots board, Lisa aims to enhance its impact and promote equitable access to healthy, locally sourced food.
Cecelia Allen
Cecelia, originally from a small community on Maryland's Eastern Shore, moved to Greensboro in 1966 to attend North Carolina A&T State University. She discovered Deep Roots Market during college and work, seeing it as a vital resource for improving her family's health and preventing hereditary issues. As a loyal supporter since the early 1980s, Cecelia developed a passion for nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement through workshops, local farming connections, and holistic practices. She enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, canning, and creating healthy recipes, all rooted in her strong faith.
Andrea Davidson
Andrea is a long-time member of Deep Roots Market who actively connects local organic farmers with the co-op. With two years of experience as board chair of the Caswell County farmers market and volunteer work at Boca Helping Hands, she has strong skills in community engagement and non-profit service. Andrea sees Deep Roots as vital for promoting real, whole foods and fostering awareness of their importance. Her mission is to advocate for transparency in the food industry, encouraging responsible food choices for better health and sustainability.