Goodbye Dana: One of Black Star’s Primary Authors Departs

Some of you know that tucked into the back corner of the kitchen, nestled between the walk in and the wall that separates Black Star from CNN Hair Team, there’s an office-slash-breakroom with no windows. And in that office, I’ve sat no farther than five feet away from Dana for 40 hours per week for four years on the Business Team. I spend more of my waking hours with Dana than with any other human being, except for maybe Larry who sits about eight feet away from us. I’ve so enjoyed our partnership on the Business Team and the energy Dana brings to our democratic process.

But alas, as with cat videos and articles from The Reductress, all good things must come to an end. Dana, after almost seven years working at Black Star, is moving on to start her own business as a worker-owner of a bookkeeping and technical service provider co-op in Austin. Jodi (who you may know from her time as Pub Team Leader) has been hired to take over bookkeeping and administration in the office. Dana will stay on at Black Star for one day a week during the transition, overseeing Jodi’s training. 

Many of our member-owners are aware of Dana’s contributions to the Co-op. After being hired in 2010, Dana raised over $500,000 in start-up capital raised from our member-owners. Dana served as Business Team Leader and as the Co-op’s primary bookkeeper. She managed investor relations, led member engagement through survey development and membership administration, and served on the Co-op’s Board of Directors. Her dedication to social justice, sense of humor, and business savvy demonstrated throughout her employment at Black Star will be missed by staff and member-owners alike. 

Dana will continue her involvement in the cooperative movement, and we wish her the best of luck in her new career. We encourage you to comment on this post to wish her well. Dana will continue to work one day a week for the time being, so you can still reach her at danac@blackstar.coop. However, response time at Dana’s work email may take up to a week beginning in August. We encourage member-owners who require a quick turnaround time to get in touch with Black Star staff by emailing the Business Team at info@blackstar.coop or calling us at 512-452-BEER.