Meet Our Team - Yuba City
Kevin Cotter - Founding Partner & Store Manager:
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.
Be well,
Kevin
email: kcotter@newearthmarket.com
Diana Coggan - Supplements and Beauty Department Manager/Buyer:
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.
Kendall Osborn - Grocery/Dairy Buyer:
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.
Melissa King - Meat & Seafood Department Manager/Buyer:
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 .
Keli Zerkovich - Night Manager:
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.
Brenton Rutledge - IT Manager:
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.
Meet Our Team - Chico
Kellie Cotter - Founding Partner & Store Manager:
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.
Denise Royal - Health and Beauty Buyer
Denise has had a passion for this community for 20 years. She has worked in many aspects including Aromatherapy, Herbal consulting, training Health Food store staff's on Vitamins and Herbs, and working in Health Food stores in the Chico community for 13 years. Denise has studied with some of the most renowned herbalists in the country, including Christopher Hobbs, Susan Weed, Rosemary Gladstar and Michael Tierra to name a few. She also completed a 6 month Herbal apprenticeship program at Herb Pharm in Oregon growing herbs, making herbal tinctures and studying with Herbalists from around the globe. Denise enjoys educating people about natural products, supplements and herbs. In her spare time she enjoys growing medicinal herbs and making herbal medicine.
J'selle Lewis - Grocery Manager
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.
Topher Wear - Meat Department Buyer
Greetings my name is Topher and I am the meat department buyer at New Earth Market. I was born and raised in Arkansas and attended University there. Which is when I started my first job at a natural food store and teaching yoga followed by a world walkabout that led me to work at many other natural food stores in multiple countries. Now finding my self here I am glad to have the opportunity to help feed and serve others and feeding people is one of the best ways to be to be of service. So am happy to strive to “meat” all your protein needs, come say hi and have a laugh while you peruse our healthy selections.
Sara Allison - Accounts Payable
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!
Kirsten Lamka - Produce Buyer
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
Amy Lebo - Beer and Wine Buyer:
Hey, everyone! My name is Amy, and I’m the Wine Buyer for the Chico and Yuba City stores. 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. It’s seemed only natural, while I’ve had the opportunity to buy the wine here at New Earth Market, to focus especially on the ever improving selection of Organic, Biodynamic, and Sustainable wines. In our Wine Department, you’ll find that focus from small local producers in our incredible corner of California to all the corners of the planet where grapes grow well. Just helping us to do our part to protect all those places and beyond in one of the most enjoyable ways possible...one bottle at a time. Cheers!
Jacie Baker - Night Manager
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!
Iliana Guevara - Deli Manager and Dairy Buyer
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.