Dear Owners of the Swarthmore Co-op:
Your Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the appointment of our interim co-manager Kira Montagno as the new General Manager of the Co-op, effective October 2, 2022. In her new role, Kira assumes management responsibility for all operations and staffing of the store and reports to the Board of Directors.
Kira’s appointment follows a four-month period during which the Board worked with a national recruitment firm to identify candidates for the General Manager position. Kira was one of three finalists interviewed by the Board and accepted the Co-op’s offer of employment on September 30.
As a longtime employee of the Co-op, Kira brings a wealth of experience from the various positions that she held through the years. After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in 2009, Kira joined the Co-op as a clerk and cashier, and advanced to produce buyer and night shift manager in 2010. She became the Assistant Operations Manager in 2012.
Kira later became the Front End Manager of the store and for two months in early 2019 she served as Acting General Manager, during which time the walk-in freezer was replaced. In 2021, she became the Beer/Wine/Deli/Prepared Foods Manager. Under her management, during 2021 sales of beer and wine exceeded projections by $77,000 and sales of deli and prepared foods rebounded with a 33.5% increase over 2020.
Earlier this year, Kira was appointed as one of three interim co-managers of the store while the search for the new General Manager commenced. Kira’s first-hand experience in all areas of the store along with her contributions to the Co-op’s success have prepared her to assume her responsibilities as General Manager.
Please join with the Board as we congratulate and wish Kira much success in her new and important role. She looks forward to seeing you in the store!
Sincerely,
The Co-op Board of Directors
