Meet Our Team
Yuba City
Founding Partner & Store Manager
Kevin Cotter
Welcome to New Earth Market. I was born and raised (many moons ago) in Yuba City and I am a Yuba City High graduate. My wife, Kellie, and I have four children and currently make our home in Chico. To help pay for college, I delivered peach bins during summers for TVG, PCP and Gerber in and around Butte, Yuba and Sutter Counties. I attended University of the Pacific and have a B.S. Degree in Finance. After college I spent a brief 30 years in the trucking business - ultimately owning and operating my own aggregate hauling company - Yuba Trucking. When my oldest daughter developed asthma at a young age this began a transition for me into a healthier way of eating and living. In 2004 I sold my trucking business, became a consultant and also became the assistant coach for the Yuba City High Boys Tennis Team. In 2008 the idea for New Earth Market was born. We opened the doors to our little market in March of 2011. We are proud to be locally owned and independent.
Executive Chef
Désiré Lebrêne
Désiré was born and raised in a little village in Normandy France. He and his wife Kris have 2 children and also provide foster care for four other children.
" I had the chance to grow up eating home grown foods prepared by my mother," said Désiré. "She is an excellent cook. My mother could blend so many different ingredients together and add the right seasonings. We were blessed to have homemade meals every day of the year. All of the food we ate was as natural as can be. I feel this has kept me healthy all these years. My mother passed on her love for food to me."
Désiré studied first in Normandy then in Paris where he received a culinary degree.
Désiré was hired by a French company to come to the Unites States and help with extra work during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
His passion and love for food is a perfect fit for operating the kitchen department right here at New Earth Market. He loves making food like it should be made, using products and produce from our local vendors.
Supplements and Beauty Department Manager/Buyer:
Diana Coggan
I started in this industry a little over 21 years ago working in the produce department of a small, local business. After working in all of the different departments, I found my passion working in supplements and health/ beauty aids. I really enjoy helping people make informed decisions about their health and seeing them reach their personal goals. I have attended Trinity School of Natural Healing and completed the herbalist program from The American Botanical Council as well as numerous other classes. I also regularly attend webinars and seminars to keep abreast of all the latest information on different aspects of healthy living. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well as riding my horse Dakota.
Grocery/Dairy Buyer
Kendall Osborn
Hello, my name is Kendall and I am the grocery and dairy buyer. I grew up in East Nicolaus, and I first came to New Earth Market on an FFA field trip. I enjoyed the atmosphere during my visit and decided I wanted to become a part of the team. The advocacy for buying and selling local was another big draw for me after growing up in such a heavily agriculture-based community. I have been with New Earth since graduating high school while pursuing a career in nursing. I’m very grateful for the experiences I’ve gotten to have with other team members, as well as the community.
Meat & Seafood Department Manager/Buyer
Melissa King
Hi my name is Melissa I was born and raised in the Yuba Sutter Area and have lived in the area all my life. I have been with the New Earth team for about a year and a half now. I started as assistant deli manager and now I am excited to say I am the Meat Department Manager. I bring 20 plus years of meat cutting experience. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make your shopping experience at New Earth Market a great one.
Night Manager
Keli Zerkovich
Hi! I’m Keli. I was born and raised in Yuba City. I have been a part of the New Earth Team since 2017. I started in Deli (Keli in Deli) and I am now the Night Manager. I love working at New Earth Market. It is the place to be…Naturally! Next time you are in, stop by and say hi.
Produce Manager
Robert Hudson
Hi there! My name is Robert Hudson, and I am the produce buyer at New Earth Market in Yuba City. I love bringing in the seasonal and exotic fruits and vegetables that you might not find at a traditional grocery store. We focus on providing our customers organic and local produce which is healthy for us and sustainable for our planet too. We work directly with the great farmers in the area to ensure freshly harvested produce and a farmers market atmosphere. I like to hear customers feedback, share recipes, and sample out new arrivals whenever possible. Next time you are in the market stop by the produce department and say hi!
Beer/Wine Buyer
Baylee Fisch
​Hey! My name is Baylee, I am the Beer and Wine buyer here at New Earth Market in Yuba City. I moved to the area about 7 years ago, and was so glad when I found out about the market! I am a mom of 3 amazing kiddos, so knowing that I have a place to get quality groceries has been such a plus! As for my awesome department I love to bring in new and exciting items to both the beer and wine world. Making sure I always have something for everyone to enjoy! If I don’t have something you’re looking for don’t hesitate to ask, I’m always more than happy to do my best to bring in any requests! And I’m here for any questions or info you have regarding your drink of choice! I enjoy hosting tastings and having breweries and wineries do demos, its always a good time! Next time your looking for that perfect drink come on in and see me! Cheers!
IT Manager
Brenton Rutledge
Hi my name is Brenton, New Earth Market's IT Manager. I am responsible for maintaining all the computers and electronics at the market. I began working in the natural foods industry in 2004. Since then I have tried my hand at many positions from cashier to manager to product consultant. I started working for New Earth Market on February 14th, 2011 before the store was even open. Since then I have had the awesome opportunity to help grow the store to what it is today.
Chico
Founding Partner & Store Manager
Kellie Cotter
Growing up in the small town of Gridley, I worked in the prune orchards and at Tri Valley Growers during my summer breaks from college. I have always been passionate about people and my community. I have a degree in psychology from United States International University of San Diego. After college I pursued work in the human resources field becoming certified as a Professional in Human Resources. I have been the Director of Human Resources at two different large (300+ work force) companies for over 10 years. I am now happy to be working along side my husband here in our own business. I love helping our customers and being part such a wonderful community where I get to connect good food with good people. See you at the market.
Grocery Buyer
J'selle Lewis
Hello, my name is J’Selle, and I am the Grocery buyer for New Earth Market in Chico. Many of you will know me from my time as one of our front-end managers where I was given the privilege to get to know many of our customers and build relationships with our little community. I was raised up the mountain in the little town of Greenville and have been coming to Chico since I was young. I moved to the area in 2015 and have been happy here since. I am someone who loves to cook, and I am always looking for new flavors and recipes to try. Having the chance to learn new dietary needs and researching ways to help our community stay healthy has always been something I’ve enjoyed. I look forward to continuing to grow with the community and keep us all fed in the best way possible.
Accounts Payable
Sara Allison
Hello, my name is Sara. I was born and raised in Chico, graduating from Chico High. Being a Chico native, I was excited at the opportunity to work and grow with a local business. I have been with the team since opening day in 2016. I am proud to be a part of this community and look forward to serving you!
Produce Buyer
Kirsten Lamka
Hi! My name is Kirsten and I am the Produce Buyer of New Earth Market in Chico. In April of 2016 I was hired on in the grocery department as a stock clerk and advanced to the position of Grocery Lead. Being a part of this team has been such a rewarding experience and I continue to learn something new everyday.
I was born in Stockton, CA. and have spent most of my life in Paradise, CA, raising a beautiful daughter and working numerous years in the retail field.
When I'm not at New Earth Market I am usually out in nature, engaging in physical fitness or in the kitchen experimenting with real whole foods.
I am super passionate about health and the quality of food you put into your body. I believe when you eat good, you feel good. So I hope to provide quality fresh fruits and vegetables to the market, support local growers and learn something new from the people I meet. Please come say hi, so I can help you with all your healthy selections
Night Manager
Jacie Baker
Hi, my name is Jacie and I’m the Night Manager! Although I was born in the Bay Area, I have moved all over California and have lived in Chico for the past 6 years. I’ve worked at multiple natural food stores but have been lucky enough to work with the New Earth Market team since 2018. Outside of the market I love reading everything from classic literature to books on nutrition and holistic healing, not only to become more knowledgeable but to help spread that knowledge and help others day to day.
I love working somewhere that feels like a true community. Nothing makes me happier than getting to know our customers and developing friendships with them as the years go by. We really are like a big family here at New Earth Market and that includes YOU so please say hi next time you’re in the store, I would love to get to know you and help in any way that I can!
Deli Manager and Dairy Buyer
Iliana Guevara
Hello, my name is Iliana and I’ve been with New Earth Market here in Chico since we opened in 2016. I started off in the Deli, mainly working the Specialty Cheese and Grab N Go section; and as of March 2020, I am now the Dairy Buyer.
As an avid baker, I am constantly trying new recipes. I especially love to experiment by exchanging dairy products with non-dairy alternatives in both my cooking and baking. So expanding my tastes on foods is something I try to do, and encourage people to do also. With that said, I love getting recommendations on new products! Have a product we don’t carry that you love? Just let me know, and if we can carry it, I’ll do my best to make it possible.
Living healthy is a lifestyle choice. Here at New Earth Market we hope to help you on your journey to healthier living.
Beer/Wine Buyer
Amy Lebo
Hey, everyone! My name is Amy, and I’m the Beverage Buyer for the Chico store. The two industries that I’ve worked in side by side over the last twenty plus years are Food & Beverage and Natural Foods, especially in roles where they happily overlap. I’ve been part of the teams at the East End Food Co-op in Pittsburgh, PA; New Frontiers Natural Marketplace in Sedona, AZ; and Whole Foods Market in both Sedona and my hometown of Allentown, PA, where I was the Beverage Buyer. I’ve been vegan for over twenty years as well, and I’m passionate about nature, food ways, and sustainability. We’re very lucky to be in a part of the world where both American craft beer and winemaking first gained international recognition, so there’s no shortage of great options in both, which also come together more and more these days and many of which are pioneers in sustainability. We've cultivated a selection that’s saturated with natural, organic, and gluten free options and that include hard kombucha and cider, gluten free beer, sake, and Soju. We’ve also got plenty of the new NA options that are now available in both beer and wine to be inclusive for folks that don’t drink, are dry curious, or just seeking balance in moderation. There’s something for everyone, so come say hi, let’s chat about it, and cheers!
Join Our Team!
Are you passionate about food, the earth and sustainable agriculture practices? We want you! Apply online now!