One of the only uncontested races on the ballot for Carroll voters this November is in Carroll Ward 1, where Deb Koster is the sole candidate to have formally filed for the seat on the Carroll City Council. Koster says her roots are tied to Carroll and Carroll County, as she grew up on a farm near Arcadia. However, much of her life over the last three and a half decades has been split between home and building Devansoy, a natural, plant-based protein distribution company.
Akoya Capital purchased Devansoy in 2022 after Koster helped build the company into one of the nation’s largest plant-protein providers. Koster stepped down from her CEO role earlier this year at the end of March and has been advising the company as it transitions to new leadership. Koster says she likes to be busy, and she saw the open Ward 1 seat as an opportunity to give back as she moves away from the company she helped build.
One of her top priorities in office will be to continue efforts to revitalize downtown, especially as she plans to open “The Cupula,” a home store and wine business, in the district soon. Koster says another focus is on keeping Carroll’s tax levy as low as possible while also ensuring the quality of life that residents are used to is maintained. She says that’s a delicate balance, but she believes her business experience will be an asset on the council.
While she will be the only name appearing on the ballot for Ward 1, Koster says she still wants to earn that seat on the council.
Early voting opens tomorrow (Wednesday), Oct. 15, for the Nov. 4 city/school elections.
