Bill Gessner is our lead consultant with over 20 years of experience assisting over 250 co-op expansion projects. His primary focus is assisting food co-ops in the planning and implementation of expansion, relocation, and new store projects.
Bill has developed a systematic approach to expansion planning that includes assessing feasibility and timeline management that has helped countless co-ops reach their goals. He said, “I continue to be inspired by the people I work with in the food co-ops and their communities. What excites me is combining the business and community aspects of the cooperative model to help co-ops develop and grow.”
Bill is the recipient of the NCB Honored Cooperator award in 1997 and the CCMA Cooperative Service award in 2002.
- Expansion/relocation projects
- Organizational planning and facilitation, including business and strategic
- Management support and development
- Capitalization development including member loans
- Business strategy
“Bill Gessner’s coaching has been critical to the success of both our expansion project and our growth from a $1 million to an $8 million co-op. From our quarterly work plans to our weekly sales report, nearly every effective management system we have grew out of our work with Bill Gessner.”
—Tim Barlett, General Manager, Lexington Cooperative Market, Buffalo, NY
“From financial pro formas, to management support, to board training on expansion – every cent we spent on working with Bill Gessner paid us back in measurable results that made the difference in our relocation and expansion. Our co-op would not be the great success it is today if it were not for Bill seeing us through the expansion process every step of the way. I don’t think I would have the great job I have today, much less our community a co-op, if Bill hadn’t been there to show us how to pull it off. I am truly, deeply grateful. “
—Jacqueline Hannah, General Manager, Common Ground Food Coop, Urbana, IL
“It was essential to have Bill Gessner as the lead consultant for the Wedge Community Co-op’s two year expansion and relocation project. He is hard-working and experienced, is a good negotiator and a great planner. I would definitely rehire him.”
—Dan Foley, former General Manager, Wedge Co-op, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Articles from CDS Consulting publications
2012 Cooperative Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Solutions: January-February 2012
A Round-Robin Discussion with CDS Consultants: Talking Co-op. Solutions: Fall 2001
Assessment as Strategic Approach to Co-op Development. Solutions: Spring 2003
Balanced Resources for Membership and Operations. Solutions: Fall 2002
Bill Gessner to Be Inducted into Co-op Hall of Fame. Solutions: January-February 2012
Case Study - How Small Co-ops Define Success. Solutions: Winter 2005
Case Study - Operational Rehab Allows Co-op to Thrive Again. Solutions: Spring 2004
Case Study: Build Organizational Capacity to Move Forward. Solutions: Spring 2003
Case Study: Just Food at Forefront of Collaborative Approach. Solutions: July 2005
Case Study: Member Forums Key to Functioning Empowerment Stream. Solutions: January-February 2011
Case Study: Syracuse Real Food Co-op: Working Toward Expansion. Solutions: September-October 2010
Co-op Expansion Specialist Bill Gessner: Growth Through Systems. Solutions: Fall 2000
Continuous Support for New and Expanding Co-ops. Solutions: September-October 2010
Cost and Complexity of Today’s Expansion Projects. Solutions: March - April 2008
Empowerment + Accountability = Success (and Fun). Solutions: Winter 2003
Enact the Empowerment Stream to Build Shared Values. Solutions: January-February 2011
Expansions During Challenging Economic Times. Solutions: November-December 2008
Financial Pro Forma Is Early Step in Expansion Planning. Solutions: Spring 2004
First Year in Expanded Store: Homing in on Success. Solutions: March 2005
Focus on Vision Expands Small Co-op Possibilities. Solutions: Winter 2005
General Managers Speak: Means for Effective Management. Solutions: Spring 2004
Navigate the Waters. Solutions: March - April 2008
Project Stage II: Preparing for Leasehold Improvements/Construction. Solutions: May - June 2008
Secure Resources, Financing During Down Economy. Solutions: March-April 2010
Store Design Manifests Co-op Community Vision. Solutions: November - December 2006
Other works by this consultant
Member Loan Toolbox
Bill Gessner with Beret Griffith and Ron Griffith
Published by Food Co-op Initiative and available at foodcoopinitiative.coop
Relocation and Expansion Toolbox
Bill Gessner
Available for sale on CGIN
