Meet the Board of Directors

Kyle LaMalfa, President

Kyle LaMalfa is a local tomato farmer living on the west side of Salt Lake City. He has been a resident of Utah his whole life. He is the current President of the People's Market, which has been a mountainside rolling stone of progression. Kyle started with a community yard sale, which has bloomed into an exponentially expanding community market. The city noticed this community effort and has given the market resources to develop a self-sustaining organization. Besides the city’s help, there have been other partners and sponsors that have contributed to the extent of capabilities of the market.

Kyle feels that this market isn't just about venders selling products, but plays the vital role of bringing the community together in a location that has been neglected by other events. To express his true altruism, his Heirloom tomatoes are not sold in the general fashion. Instead, customers are invited to "Pay what's fair" as he explains it. This involves a large jelly jar, where customers pay what they estimate what his locally grown tomatoes are worth. This is quite the proposition in a market, where it is no longer produce and money being exchanged, but interaction between neighbors.

Chris Isbell, Treasurer

In addition to being an avid gardener, Chris Isbell has been the Treasurer of The Peoples Market for the last two years. Chris loves the market because she feels she can share her love for gardening and be involved with the community. As a back yard grower, Chris specializes in tomatoes and squash. She always grows more then she can eat. Therefore the market is a great way for her to give away and sell, for a small price, some of the extras. Chris was born and raised in Texas. In 2001 a job opportunity brought Chris, her husband, and son to Salt Lake City. Chris loves the outdoors. When she’s not in the garden she can be found skiing, hiking, and camping.

Dora Deng, Marketing Committee

Dora has been a Salt Lake City resident for 21 years. She moved from Oakland in 1987, where she lived briefly after emigrating from China with her husband. Dora works as a staff accountant at a non-profit organization, but is better known around the market as the proprietor of Dora's Kitchen, the place to go for fresh stir-fry. She describes Dora's Kitchen as "my interest, something to do outside of work. I like it a lot!" Dora became involved in the People's Market after meeting Chris Isbell at the 2007 Live Green Festival. Dora is currently serving on the marketing committee.

Doug Williams, Jury Committee

Doug spotted the People's Market while driving down 900 West, "coming home from Home Depot." Since then Doug's home business The Unique Treasure Chest has been a fixture at the market. Specializing in rocks, minerals, gemstones, and handmade jewelry, the Treasure Chest is natural work for someone with hobbies like rock hounding and lapidary. Doug is retired from the Air National Guard, where he served honorably for 31 years. Doug is currently serving on the jury committee. 

Rosalyn Moreno, Finance Committee

Rosalyn Moreno was introduced to The Peoples Market while participating in a downtown market held at Cup of Joe.  Now as a board member she enjoys bringing the community together and being involved in The Peoples Market as a vender and event organizer.  Rosalyn sells beanies made out of %100 all natural fibers.  She started five years ago while putting together a beanie for her husband at a park. She was approached by a stranger and asked if she sold them.  Rosalyn eventually began to do so going from market to market until fate led her to The Peoples Market.  Rosalyn has high expectations for The Peoples Market and upcoming events.  She hopes to double the amount of business she received last year. Rosalyn was born in Minnesota where she spent 35 years of here life before moving to Utah in 2001.  Currently Rosalyn resides in Midvale with her husband and three kids. Rosalyn presently serves on the Finance Committee.

Joshua Isbell, Marketing

Josh moved to Salt Lake City in 2001. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 2003, serving honorably for four years, and when he came home in 2007, he jumped right into the People’s Market. The main reason Josh even got involved with the market was to play his guitar. Early in the 2007 season, the market purchased a sound system, and he hauled the equipment around and helped musical performers set up, eventually being elected as Vice President of Marketing. Josh is currently a full time student at Salt Lake Community College.

Lois Graves

Lois was born in and grew up in California, before moving to Utah in 1964. She is an avid knitter, sewer, gardener, and photographer. Lois became involved with the People's Market as an outlet for her artistic endeavors. When not busying herself trimming trees and weeding, Lois enjoys bead weaving, pottery, hiking, Native American lore, tree climbing, restoring old cars, and exploring.

Kay Robinson, Secretary

Kay was born at the old St. Marks Hospital, and besides a few years in Las Vegas, has lived in Utah her entire life. She is a self-employed caligrapher, house-cleaner, custom seamstress, and a passionate gardener. Kay got involved in the market after meeting Kyle LaMalfa at a "Step-it-Up" rally. When not gardening, Kay can be found sewing or beading with seed-beads. Kay aspires to grow all of the vegetables she needs for the year on her own. Kay is currently serving as Secretary.

Jennifer Lownds

Jennifer moved to Salt Lake City from Alaska in 1994. One Sunday, when driving by the Peace Gardens, Jennifer spotted the People's Market, and has been a vendor ever since! Jennifer works as a wood turner. Her hobbies and interests include hiking, camping, rockhounding, reading, and motor cycle riding.

Petra Carlson

Petra was born in Zacatlan de Manzanas, a region in Puebla, Mexico known for apple orchards. She immigrated to the United States in 1994. She is the owner of Demos Latin, a Mexican food demonstration and catering company. After being involved some with the Downtown Farmers Market in the '90s, Petra and her husband J.D. felt the People's Market was a better fit for them. Petra likes to relax by traveling, playing tennis, and cooking.

James Beck

James is a Salt Lake City native and has lived here all his life. James is thoroughly occupied being an engaged citizen and concerned father of a teenage daughter. James has been involved with the market from its inception. James is a some-time musician with the People's Market House Band, as well as an experienced gardener, chicken wrangler, and novice beekeeper.

Credit: The biographies were written by Salt Lake Community College students Kyle Odland, Tommy McDonald, Casey Walker, and Joshua Isbell, as part of a community writing campaign to spread awareness of the People's Market.