Shermain Hardesty, a private consultant with an extensive background in food marketing and agricultural cooperatives, has been tapped to lead the University of California's Center for Cooperatives.

Hardesty assumed her duties as the center's director on March 1. “We are pleased to have someone of Dr. Hardesty's stature and experience at the helm of this vital statewide program,” said Henry J. Vaux Jr., associate vice president, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.