Meet Board Director: David Aarestad

Hello everyone. This month, we are excited to introduce our newest board member, David Aarestad. He has shared a few words and answered a few questions so you all can get to know him a little better:

I am very excited to join the Board of Common Ground.  We just moved here from the Denver area in 2024 and are getting to know the Chambana community.  My wife and I have an adult daughter with Down Syndrome and a son who just finished his freshman year at the Colorado School of Mines. 

What motivated you to join the board of Common Ground, and what do you hope to contribute to its mission?

We are new to the area and began shopping at Common Ground right away.  I have served on Boards for mission-oriented groups in the past, and I loved what I saw at CG.

How do you see the role of the co-op in supporting local farmers, sustainable practices, and the community?

Being new to the area, I look forward to engaging with Gary and the staff at CG to explore best ways to work with local producers, especially our farmers.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the co-op today, and how should we address them?

Being new to the area, I am still learning.  With my background, I plan to work with the Board and with Gary to stabilize our finances so that we can continue to serve our community for many years to come.

How do you approach decision-making in a cooperative setting where multiple stakeholders have different priorities?

Identify each stakeholder's interest in the question at hand.  Work to identify outcomes that harmonize across interest groups.  Include each stakeholder in discussions so that the outcome is transparent, even if it may not be optimal for every person.

What skills or experiences do you bring to the board that help strengthen Common Ground’s leadership and operations?

I have been on many non-profit boards in the past, including some with severe financial difficulties.  My background as a corporate and securities attorney has helped me navigate the financial statements of the organizations and work on the underlying issues.