Carlos Perez de Alejo, Executive Director
Carlos is one of the co-founders of Cooperation Texas. Beginning as a volunteer, he helped develop the organization from the ground up. Originally from Miami, Fl, Carlos received his BA in History from Florida State University (FSU), where he began his interest in democratic business management by helping establish FSU’s first collectively-run monthly magazine. In 2006 he moved to Austin, TX and became a member of Monkey Wrench Books, an all-volunteer, collectively-run bookstore and member of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC). Carlos has extensive experience in meeting facilitation, democratic decision-making, strategic communications, conflict resolution, and worker self-management. Over the years he has facilitated trainings at the NASCO Institute, the Democracy At Work Network, and the National Worker Cooperative Conference of the USFWC. During his time in Austin, Carlos has served as a member of the Student/Farmworker Alliance, an organizer with the Workers Defense Project, and a co-founder of Refugio, a community organizing training center for low-income communities of color. Committed to combating social and economic inequality, Carlos also serves on the Board of Directors for United for a Fair Economy. He holds an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has written on cooperatives, labor, and immigration for the Austin-American Statesmen, Dollars & Sense, YES!, and Z Magazine.
Kim Penna, Program Coordinator
Kim is a self-proclaimed “cooperator for life”. Raised in Houston, she now considers herself an Austinite since she’s lived here for 10 years. She earned her BA in English at the University of Texas, and continued her education at St. Edward’s University where she earned a MS in Organizational Leadership and Ethics. When Kim first arrived in Austin as a freshman in college, she moved into a housing co-op where she developed an appreciation for the member-controlled atmosphere and the affordability that living collectively offers. After four years as a member and officer at 21st St. Co-op, she moved on to become a mentor for at-risk youth with Austin Travis County Youth Advocate Program and a childcare provider for low income families in the Austin area with Extend-a-care for Kids. In 2008, she became the Member Services Coordinator with College Houses Cooperatives and began her three-year term as the Development Officer for the North American Students of Cooperation’s board of directors. Kim joined the staff of Cooperation Texas in September of 2011 where she will focus on developing the Cooperative Opportunities and Outreach Program. She will also continue with College Houses Cooperatives as their Education and Training Coordinator and feels lucky to be involved with two organizations that are making positive changes in her community.
Andi received an MS in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, specializing in cooperative business development. She helps to organize the Eastern Conference on Workplace Democracy as the co-facilitator of the Eastern Coordinating Committee, and has served as the notetaker for the USFWC Union/Co-ops Committee. Prior to moving to Austin in 2002, she completed a bachelors degree in Women's Studies and Political Science at the Ohio State University. During her first stint in Austin, she worked for five years with the Inside Books Project collective and served for three years on the Rhizome Collective board of directors. During the three years she was away from Austin, she consulted with Pennsylvania's Keystone Development Center, and worked as the office manager for a small, locally-owned business. Happy to have returned to Austin, she delights in cooking Andi received an MS in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, specializing in cooperative business development. She helps to organize the Eastern Conference on Workplace Democracy as the co-facilitator of the Eastern Coordinating Committee, and has served as the notetaker for the USFWC Union/Co-ops Committee. Prior to moving to Austin in 2002, she completed a bachelors degree in Women's Studies and Political Science at the Ohio State University. During her first stint in Austin, she worked for five years with the Inside Books Project collective and served for three years on the Rhizome Collective board of directors. During the three years she was away from Austin, she consulted with Pennsylvania's Keystone Development Center, and worked as the office manager for a small, locally-owned business. Happy to have returned to Austin, she delights in cooking delicious local food, and dances to live music as often as possible. delicious local food, and dances to live music as often as possible.
