Duncan Shrout

(board incumbent serving since 2023)

Retired

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

Dear friends, I am Duncan Shrout finishing the last year of a former board director's three-year term. I ask for your vote in the 2024 election to continue my service in a new three-year term. Being a new director in 2023 means I have been trained in the responsibilities and skills necessary for a director to function effectively. In 2023 the board has worked hard to improve our financial oversight capacity as well as engaging with you. Working with the other board members and Ray Simpkins, our CEO, has been an honor and an opportunity which I hope to continue in 2024 and beyond. Thank you for your consideration and support.

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

I formerly was an executive director for a non-profit organization for 15 years. During this time our accountant and I prepared financial statements for the board as well as the required tax forms. For the remaining years of my work life, I was a vice president for government relations. I was responsible for my organization's relationship building with local, state and federal representatives. In this capacity I worked for a larger organization with a $5 million budget.

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

Diversity, equity and inclusion are new opportunities for me, particularly as a member of the DEI Committee. This committee continues to establish its charter and focus. Our main idea is to assist the other committees in achieving their goals in which DEI is a consideration.

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

Aside from working in human services for over 33 years, I have volunteered at the St. Ben's Community Meal for quite some time. The Meal works closely with other groups concerned with food scarcity and hunger. I have had the opportunity to serve on Capuchin Community Services Advisory Board, the Benedict Center Board of Directors, the Milwaukee County Combined Services Board, and the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board.