Information Technology Manager, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

Elph grew up mostly in the South, and his family’s frequent moves taught him the inevitability of change – foreshadowing his role as a change agent in a variety of social, academic, professional and business organizations in the years to come.

Elph moved north to attend college in Iowa and then grad school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he’s lived since 1991. Elph’s first post-graduate jobs were in sociology, but his interest in computers eventually drew him into his current line of work. In 1992 Elph joined the University of Michigan as a Computer Systems Administrator within the Institute for Social Research. In 1998 he took the opportunity to be the Managing Editor of a reference book on Intentional Communities. After two years, a completed book, and many miles of travel Elph returned to Ann Arbor and landed a job with Zingerman’s nascent IT department. Now Manager of Zingerman’s IT, Elph directs a staff of four in a department that regularly receives recognition for the exceptional levels of service provided to other Zingerman’s departments and businesses.

Elph has over 15 years experience as a trained meeting facilitator, leads the sustainability task force within Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, serves on the board of a credit union, and resides in a cohousing community that promotes cooperative living. He is one of a number of trainers certified to teach Zingerman’s internal customer service classes, and he often presents to ZingTrain’s organizational clients, focusing on how to deliver exceptional service to internal customers.