About ACI
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arizona

Cooperative Initiative

Empowering Arizona to Create a Network of Cooperatives


We are 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating a more cooperative future in Arizona.

The mission of the Arizona Cooperative Initiative (ACI) is building a statewide inclusive, cooperative community in Arizona. We are an umbrella group that connects and supports organizations and people who are interested in various types of cooperatives by providing access to information, resources, and services that educate about  cooperatives and help in their development and operation. We are laying an important foundation for creating a strong cooperative economy in the state. We can achieve much with the support and commitment of the many existing groups involved in cooperatives. We seek economically sound, socially just, and environmentally friendly alternatives to business as usual.

We are a voluntary group and welcome all people regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or culture. Please join us!

We focus on Education, Developmental Support, Startup Assistance and Collaboration.

The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.
- Bertrand Russell

our aim

Our Aim

The Arizona Cooperative Initiative (ACI) is a non-profit organization in the early stage of building a statewide inclusive, cooperative community in Arizona. The eventual aim is to be an umbrella organization that connects and supports organizations and people who are, or we believe should be, interested in, associated with, or members of various types of cooperatives across the state, by providing access to information, resources, and services that educate about cooperatives, and help in their development and operation.


These are broad and ambitious aims, and we are just getting started. But we believe they are an important foundation for creating a strong, cooperative economy in the state. We also believe we can achieve much with the support and commitment of the many existing groups involved in cooperatives, and the many other groups and individuals who are looking for economically sound, socially just, and environmentally friendly alternatives to business as usual. Please get in touch if you are interested in getting involved!

Meet the board of directors

board

Meet the people behind the scenes at ACI.

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Richard Starling
Richard has been working with startup nonprofit groups for over forty years. He has recently expanded his work to include startup cooperatives including Sun Produce Cooperative, a vegan meal service, a composting business, group of herbalists and more. He has been involved in the Community Land Trust movement since beginning his nonprofit work , helping to save farmland and build affordable housing. Using the cooperative and community land trust models, much more can be done to build a regenerative society that makes a difference in the life of the planet and our human impact upon it!
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John Penry
John has consulted professionally with electric cooperatives since 2009. He has worked with producer cooperatives (Sun Produce Cooperative in Phoenix as well as several other groups seeking to form producer cooperatives across rural and urban Arizona), kitchen cooperatives, insurance cooperatives and worker-owner cooperatives. His three primary areas of expertise are cooperative finance, strategic planning and governance. For finance, John has lead workshops on equity management, created multi-year financial plans and consulted on capital budgeting projects. For strategic planning, he has conducted numerous strategic planning sessions and taught strategic planning to boards of directors. For governance, he has consulted on how to write by-laws and board policies. He’s also discussed how to manage board meetings that are both effective and inclusive.
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Jowharah Hall
Jowharah is passionate about creating a workspace where all are empowered to deliver exceptional solutions to life’s problems. As a consultant, she works with a variety of clients, including behavioral health residential facilities, senior home care, and equine therapy for children. She has over 15 year’s HR experience and a Master’s in Human Resources Management.  She also has an MBA, with a HR certification at the Graduate level.  She has worked in a variety of positions including Call Centers where she has worked in both HR Management and Operations Management.
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And More
Christine Leavitt
Maddie Mercer
Anthony Aragon
Kalila Aragon