The Swan Valley Consumers’ Co-op (SVCC) has found the perfect candidate to fill the General Manager role, since former GM Colin Peters resigned after accepting another position. New GM Joshua Brecht grew up and spent most of his life living in the Prairies, thus making the Swan Valley a perfect fit for him and his family.
“I’m originally from central Saskatchewan and have spent most of my life across the Prairies, primarily in Saskatchewan and Alberta,” said Brecht. “I attended the University of Saskatchewan before moving to Calgary, where I spent about 10 years working in the building materials industry. From there, my family and I moved back to Saskatchewan, where I joined the co-op system and spent the last several years serving local co-ops and communities.
“Family is a huge part of my life. I have a wonderful and supportive wife, who is an Indigenous artist, and we have three children ranging in age from 19 to 11. They mean the world to me, and one of the things that drew us to Swan Valley was that it felt like a place where our family could put down roots and become part of the community.”
Brecht grew up around the co-op way of life. He is more than familiar with the cooperative system and how it works, which led him to become a part of it.
“In a way, co-op has always been part of my life; I grew up around it,” said Brecht. “From being a kid and running around many different co-ops that my aunt was a general manager in, to my dad working as both a bakery manager and later a lumber manager, to how my grandparents were long-time Co-op members, and going to the co-op was a daily staple. So even before I worked in the system myself, I understood that co-op was more than just a business.
“My first formal role with co-op was in 2021, when I joined Riverbend Co-op as a Home and Agro Location Manager. That role brought me back into the Co-op system and really confirmed for me that this was where I wanted to build the next stage of my career.
“While I was working at Riverbend Co-op, I had the opportunity to join Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and saw a chance to serve the co-op system in a broader way,” said Brecht. “Moving to FCL allowed me to support multiple local co-ops across Western Canada, learn from different markets, and help teams work through operational, financial, and strategic challenges.
“I grew a lot during my time with FCL and I’m very grateful for that experience. At the same time, there is something special about living in the community you serve directly. That is a big part of why I’m so excited to join Swan Valley Co-op. I get to bring that broader CRS experience back into a local co-op setting, where the work is directly connected to members, employees, and the community every day.”
Brecht enjoys the connection between co-ops and the communities they serve. Co-ops not only provide goods and services to the community, but also build the community up in so many different ways.
“What I enjoy most is the community purpose behind the work,” said Brecht. “Before joining co-op, I worked in the independent building materials industry. I loved the business, the competition, and the people, but co-op changed how I thought about the work. In the co-op system, when the business does well, the benefit stays closer to home. It goes back to members, employees, local projects, community groups, recreation facilities, schools, and the places where families live their everyday lives.
“One moment that really stayed with me was taking my kids to the local pool in Outlook for the first time. As we walked in, there was a sign on the waterslide that said it had been supplied by Riverbend Co-op. My son looked at me and asked, ‘Is that your work, Dad?’ I told him, ‘Yeah, bud, we supplied the materials for that.’ Then my daughter yelled, ‘My dad builds waterslides!’ and ran straight for the pool. That moment has always stuck with me. It was a simple reminder that in co-op, the work we do shows up in real ways in the communities we serve. It is not just sales, operations, or financial results. It is helping build places where families live, gather, and make memories.
“That’s what I love about co-op,” said Brecht. “It is a business model that can compete, but it also has a purpose that is bigger than the business itself.”
Brecht is eager to be a part of the SVCC and loves the setting of the community as well. SVCC has built a reputation of being one of the flag stores in Manitoba, so this experience will be a very enriching one all around for Brecht.
“The opportunity itself was very exciting, but the Valley made a strong impression on us right away,” said Brecht. “The area is beautiful, with the forests, lakes, rivers, and the natural landscape. When I brought my family up while I was exploring the position, we really fell in love with the area.
“Beyond the scenery, there was a feeling here that mattered to us. The community felt welcoming, grounded, and real. It felt like a place where we could belong, not just a place where I would work. That was important to me and to my family.
“My first impression is that the team is incredible. I have only been in the role a few days, but every team member I have met has been warm, welcoming, and supportive. I already feel very fortunate to be joining this group.
The facilities across Swan Valley Co-op are also impressive,” said Brecht. “You can see the pride the team has in what has been built and how it has been maintained. It is also clear that this Co-op has invested deeply in the communities it serves.
“The community has been fantastic as well. I’ve already had people come up and introduce themselves, and I really appreciate that. I know I have a lot to learn about the Valley, the Co-op, the team, and the members, so every conversation helps me understand a little more.
“I officially started on Monday (Aug. 31),” said Brecht. “What I’m looking forward to most is getting back to living and participating directly in the community I serve. I’m excited to support the team, learn the business deeply, build relationships with members and community partners, and help Swan Valley Co-op continue creating value for the people and communities we serve.
“There is a lot to learn, and I’m coming in with a lot of respect for the team already here. My focus early on is to listen, learn, build trust, and understand the best way to support the organization moving forward.”