Former Russell Investments Chief Strategy Officer Paul Rhynard has a new bread and butter.
On Wednesday, Walla Walla-based bread-baking robot company Wilkinson Baking Co. announced Rhynard has joined the company as CEO. He had been Russell Investments' CSO for roughly a year before taking the new role, according to his LinkedIn page.
"Wilkinson has developed an incredible product and is poised to become a world-class bread and robotics company," Rhynard said in a news release. "The BreadBot is a highly disruptive solution that changes the nature of bread production, bringing truly fresh bread to consumers."
Before becoming CSO at Russell Investments, Rhynard was chief of staff to the CEO at the Seattle-based investment firm for a little over three years, according to his LinkedIn page. He also spent more than three years at the consulting firm McKinsey. Rhynard is based in Seattle, according to Wilkinson's release.
Wilkinson Baking Co. has spent 10 years developing a commercial robot called the BreadBot, of which there are five units the company expects to have in operation by customers this summer. The machine was designed for grocery stores and can make 10 loaves an hour, according to Wilkinson's website. An autostart option allows stores to start making bread before opening, and the machine has a self-cleaning function.
Rhynard is replacing Randall Wilkinson, the chairman and former CEO of the company. A company spokesperson said Wilkinson helped found the company and assumed the CEO role four years ago. He is relinquishing control of day-to-day operations but will remain chairman of the board, the spokesperson said.
"I couldn't be more excited than to hand the reins over to Paul," Wilkinson said in a news release. "He brings tremendous experience crafting strategies and driving growth for companies both large and small. His drive and focus will help Wilkinson revolutionize the bread industry."
