Meet Your Store Leadership
STORE TEAM LEADER: Trevor Barhydt
You will often find Trevor on the sales floor, chatting with team members and customers, or putting finishing touches on displays. To spot him, just look for the plaid shirt, his signature style! Trevor joined Whole Foods Market in 2005 and has worked in the Atlanta metro area, as well as the Durham store, before coming to Chapel Hill. Trevor says that the best thing about working for Whole Foods Market is that he feels like he is making a difference. When not running the store, or traveling on business, Trevor enjoys relaxing with his children and pets. Trevor gets plenty of exercise by playing with his kids, walking, and biking, and finds relaxation in reading. He is currently reading Fruitless Fall, by Rowan Jacobsen, while his all time favorite read is An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter. Trevor has a passion for food, with Italian being his favorite, and also enjoys volunteering and serving meals at homeless shelters. When Trevor was a boy, he aspired to be Peter Pan. His team members love him and are glad he’s here, rather than Neverland!
ASSOCIATE STORE TEAM LEADER: Chris Costa (picture coming soon!)
Chris joined our team last summer moving from Virginia with his wife and children. Chris has been with Whole Foods Market since 2008 and says the best part of working for Whole Foods Market is the social and environmental impact the company affects worldwide! When Chris is taking time off from running the store, he enjoys playing with his kids and pets (a dog and a bunny!), doing yoga, push-ups, and weight lifting, and reading. His favorite book is Tao of Pooh. Chris is a natural at what he does and his career path was evident as a young child. He wanted to grow up to be a business man. We’re glad to have him share his passion for sustainability and his business expertise with Whole Foods Market!
PRODUCE TEAM LEADER: Jim Taylor
Jim and his team keep our Produce and Floral Departments fresh and colorful! Jim’s been with Whole Foods Market since 2008 and loves working for a company he can feel good about! He spends his time off cooking for his family and enjoys grilled and smoked foods as well as chasing after his kids and dog which he finds to be a great form of exercise! When Jim was a child he wanted to be a teacher! Jim loves listening to a variety of music including Americana and Old Punk. Come visit with Jim the next time you’re in the store!
SPECIALTY TEAM LEADER: Michele LaCatena
Michele has been with Whole Foods Market since 1993 and recently joined the Chapel Hill team, moving over from the Raleigh store. Michele and her team provide a spectacular array of chocolates, coffees, cheeses, beer, wines, and gourmet foods for your entertaining needs. Her passion is American Artisan Cheeses and she’ll happily share her knowledge and expertise with you. When not working, you can find Michele on a road trip to the mountains, reading a book (My Side of the Mountain‘s her fave), or canoeing or going on long walks. Michele says the best part of working at Whole Foods Market is the people! When she was a child she aspired to be a horse trainer. We’re so glad to have her here at Whole Foods Market, Chapel Hill!
SEAFOOD TEAM LEADER: Kurt Volkringer
Kurt’s been with Whole Foods Market since 2005, joining us from the Midwest (Chicago land area). It’s no surprise that Kurt loves seafood, as well as Mexican food (fish tacos, anyone?). Kurt says the best thing about his job is being a part of a team that works together, and he enjoys the diversity of working with team members from all over the world. Other than being an amazing fish monger, Kurt is also a family man, and loves spending time with his wife, two daughters, and a Pit-bull and English Mastiff. Kurt is currently reading the book, Four Fish (appropriate, huh?) and also enjoys hiking and working out at the YMCA. Kurt listens to Phish, Dave Matthews Band, and Tom Petty! When Kurt was just a kid, he thought he would be a professional soccer player, but we know he’s found his niche, utilizing his talent, and sharing his passion at Whole Foods Market.
MEAT TEAM LEADER: Keith Roten
You know Keith as one of the friendly faces at our meat counter! Keith has been with Whole Foods Market since 2000 and if you’ve spent any time in conversation with Keith you know he’s passionate about many things, especially bass fishing! He even spends his time off reading books like “Bass Strategies” by Kevin Van Dam. Keith loves any kind of ethnic food and enjoys the camaraderie on his team. He also likes listening to Jam Band music, rock, reggae, blue grass, classic country, any kind of blues, and “world” music! Keith enjoys hiking, going to the gym, and hanging out with his pets, Chula, Oscar, and Tinkerbell! When Keith was a young boy he wanted to be a professional baseball player. We’re so glad to have him on our team!
GROCERY TEAM LEADER: Bekka Glettner
No doubt you’ve seen Bekka stocking shelves, creating amazing displays, and having fun with her team members when you’ve visited our store. Bekka has been with Whole Foods Market since 2004 and thinks the best part of her job is working with customers and team members. Bekka loves anything and everything made with potatoes and she works off all those carbs by bicycling, hiking, kayaking, and walking! Bekka also feeds her artistic spirit by painting and woodworking. When Bekka was a little girl she wanted to be a dog (yes, seriously)! She loves animals and loves her career with Whole Foods Market. We love her!
BAKERY TEAM LEADER: Philip Laura
Does our Bakery department tempt you with delicious aromas and delectable samples? Philip and his team of bakers are to thank! Philip has been with Whole Foods Market since 2007 and has worked at the Raleigh store as well as stores in New Orleans. Philip lives Whole Foods Market’s core values, and appreciates the casual work atmosphere, and the growth he has achieved. Philip’s favorite foods are anything cooked by his mom (awww, Philip!), as well as BBQ and pasta dishes. Philip is quite busy and active in his free time and loves to go antiquing, traveling, movies, church, cooking and feeding others, listening to classical music, going to the gym, playing with his dog, and reading. Philip is currently reading The Windsors while the Harry Potter series is his all time favorite. Philip says the one movie he could watch again and again is Gone with the Wind. Come see what Philips been baking the next time you’re in the store!
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM LEADER: Joshua Petters
Originally from NC, Joshua recently moved back from the Pacific Northwest, where he worked with Whole Foods Market. He found it a valuable experience to work in another region. Joshua joined the company in 1997 and loves his job. He thinks working with customers and team members to be the most rewarding aspect of his job. Joshua gets plenty of exercise just by walking around the store and chasing after his three kids at home! Joshua knows that a good day starts with his favorite meal, breakfast! He spends his off days as a youth sports coach, playing with Tank (his Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix) and reading. He is currently reading, It by Stephen King. When Joshua was a young boy, all he wanted was to be an adult….now that he’s an adult, he thinks he’d really like to be a kid again! Come kid around with Joshua the next time you’re in the store!
WHOLE BODY TEAM LEADER: Michelle Gannon
Michelle has been with Whole Foods Market since 2007 and has worked at the Winston-Salem store as well. Michelle proclaims the best part of her job is the people she works with! Michelle spends her time off with her family, hiking, reading (currently reading Girls Like Us by Sheila Walker), playing the piano, staying fit by running and doing yoga, tending to her two cats, and volunteering at the Duke Lemur Center! When Michelle was young she wanted to work in the jungle, studying animals, like Jane Goodall. Michelle loves all kinds of music and says she could not live without it. We could not have the amazing Whole Body department without Michelle and her team!
MARKETING TEAM LEADER: Wendy Geise
Wendy joined the Whole Foods Market family in 2010. She says the best thing about her job is teaching others about Whole Foods Markets’ core values and missions; acting as a liaison between the store and community; and working with really fun and creative team members. Wendy spends her time off decorating anything and everything, going for hikes, playing with her dog (a Chi-weenie named Gidget), her cat (a spoiled tortoiseshell named Shelly), and going to sporting events with her two sons, and husband. She enjoys life on 10 rural acres in the country and also enjoys sea kayaking and most all water sports. An avid SCUBA diver, Wendy wanted to be Jacques Cousteau when she grew up, so she could go on amazing dive expeditions worldwide! She finds plenty of adventure each day working at Whole Foods Market!
