Our Team

Chris Flint – Executive Director

Chris Flint is the Executive Director of the Southeast Regional Cooperative. Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, Chris worked for Sysco Foods for 25 years in various marketing and procurement leadership roles.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama as well as a Master of Arts in Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary. Chris and his wife Tara live in Marietta, Georgia, and have three daughters. Whenever possible, he enjoys making music and gardening.

Chris Flint
Executive Director
404-721-5810
chris.flint@seregcoop.org

Denise Sheehan RD – Senior Director of Operations

With more than 20 years of experience in the Food System and as a Registered Dietitian, Denise has worked with various organizations and communities to help them move towards equitable access of real, healthy food. Most recently, she spent 3 years at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative as the Member Services Manager focusing on member engagement, new member outreach and recruitment and forging strong relationships throughout the network.  Before joining the MARC, Denise served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Chester County Food Bank in Southeastern PA. She also has extensive experience working in agriculture, farming and helping to run a CSA, as well as working on behalf of local produce and dairy farmers.

Denise and her husband Jim live in Taylors, SC. They have a son (27) and a daughter (25)  Denise enjoys everything outdoors – hiking, gardening, and kayaking.

Denise Sheehan
Senior Director of Operations
610-999-0734
denise.sheehan@seregcoop.org

Barbara Hughes – Member Services Coordinator/Payables

Before joining the SERC team, Barbara served as South Carolina Procurement Manager for Golden Harvest Food Bank where she focused on healthy choices with a focus on fresh options. Prior to entering food banking, Barbara was the founding Fresh Foods Manager of a cooperative retail organic grocery, partnering with regional growers and farmers. Barbara has held certifications in Nutrition Counseling and currently as a ServSafe instructor.Barbara attended the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design, graduating from the Art Academy majoring in painting and graphic design. For twenty-five years Barbara enjoyed a thriving career in the arts, having served as Chief Editorial Illustrator and Sunday Magazine Graphics Editor for Gannett, Inc. and as the inaugural President of the Artists’ Collaborative in her hometown of Oxford, Ohio.

Barbara states that memories of eating at her grandmother’s southern table is her inspiration for connecting communities through food. Barbara sees her position with the SERC as a continuation of her passion of being in service and support to marginalized communities, having served on multiple mission outreach projects with the indigenous people of New Mexico and the Appalachian Mountains. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys painting Southwestern landscapes and peoples, her spirituality group, hiking in the mountains, and spending time working with her daughter on their horse and goat farm in Aiken, South Carolina.

Barbara Hughes
Member Services Coordinator/Payables
404.850.3122 ext. 1001
bhughes@seregcoop.org

Tracy Fentress – Member Services Coordinator/Payables, Florida

With over 22 years of experience in account services, photography and office management with Lifetouch School Portraits, Tracy brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role as Member Services Coordinator for the SERC as well as Feeding Florida.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is committed to ensuring efficient operations and exceptional service. In her current position, she plays a pivotal role in supporting SERC’s mission to provide food to families in need. She states, “this work is deeply meaningful to me, as it allows me to contribute to the well-being of our community and help put food on families’ tables”.

Outside of her professional life, Tracy is a passionate photographer who loves to capture life’s precious moments.  She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends, cherishing the memories they create together. Tracy is happy to report she has five children (one son and four daughters) and seven grandchildren (one granddaughter and six grandsons).

Tracy A Fentress
Member Services Coordinator/Payables, Florida
404-850-3122 ext. 1006
tracy.fentress@seregcoop.org

Shannon Russell – Member Services Coordinator/Receivables 

Prior to joining SERC, Shannon built a strong foundation in the environmental and social justice nonprofit sectors. She most recently supported clean energy transportation initiatives for three years at the Center for Transportation and the Environment. Prior to that, she completed two years of national service with AmeriCorps – first coordinating environmental workshops and promoting food sovereignty, and later supporting sustainable employment pathways for families rebuilding their lives after displacement.

Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Centre College and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Social Impact at Claremont Lincoln University. Shannon firmly believes that no one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. Her role at the SERC allows her to be part of a team dedicated to supporting farmers, strengthening food banks, and ensuring neighbors have access to healthy food. She enjoys painting, trying new foods, and watching movies in her free time.

Shannon Russell
Member Services Coordinator/Receivables 
404-850-3122 ext. 1005 
shannon.russell@seregcoop.org

Eli Darkatsh – Director of Farm to Food Bank Operations, Florida

Eli Darkatsh is no stranger to the food banking world, as he started with Second Harvest / Feeding Northeast Florida in 2009. Since then, he’s served in leadership roles in food sourcing, operations, inventory, and compliance. In August 2023, Eli took the leap to join the SERC team, and is now leading SERC’s partnership with the state association Feeding Florida. Aside from the daily work of farm to food bank operations, Eli shares his expertise in disaster/emergency management for the network.

Eli is a graduate of Alfred University (NY) and earned his MBA from Jacksonville University. He resides in Jacksonville, FL and is a proud husband, father of 3 daughters, and community leader. As an avid sports fan, his hobbies include fishing, golf, and pickleball.

Eli Darkatsh
Director of Farm to Food Bank Operations, Florida
404-850-3122 ext. 1003
eli.darkatsh@seregcoop.org

Zack Smith – Senior Manager of Operations 

Zack joined SERC from The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, where he served as the Ag Sourcer. Zack has a BS in Agriculture from Illinois State University and has been working in the ag industry for about 10 years. He lives in Columbia, South Carolina with his wife, Maggie.

Zack Smith
Senior Manager of Operations 
404-850-3122 ext. 1007
zack.smith@seregcoop.org

Jerome Coaxum Jr – Operations Coordinator

Prior to joining the SERC, Jerome was an Operations manager at Amazon and a Project Manager/Operations Consultant in the Tech industry. Jerome has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration on Marketing. He currently lives in Marietta, GA and enjoys being outdoors, running and wood sculpting. As a former D1 track and field athlete and coach, Jerome loves track and field and coaching. His favorite event is the 400m hurdles. 

Jerome Coaxum Jr
Operations Coordinator
404-850-3122 ext.1004
jerome.coaxum@seregcoop.org

Matt Rockstroh – Logistics Coordinator

Matt joined the SERC after two years working as a Tradeshow Logistics Coordinator. He has a degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University, as well as experience in supply chain management from his time with Amazon. He currently lives in Charlotte, NC. In his free time, he enjoys reading, and spending time outdoors playing sports and hiking. 

Matt Rockstroh
Logistics Coordinator
404-850-3122
matt.rockstroh@seregcoop.org