PORTLAND, Ore.– Marking its next phase of evolution, Dave’s Killer Bread named John Tucker, the former president of Eugene, Ore.-based Turtle Mountain LLC, as its new CEO. Tucker will join DKB President and Co-Founder Dave Dahl, collaborating to drive strategy, process, and execution for the company’s expansion into new markets across the US. Tucker will officially start as CEO on May 13.
Following the announcement of a new partnership with Goode Partners in December, the company launched a national search for a CEO who would bring the right balance of food industry expertise and passion, while staying true to the company’s core values. The company’s board quickly zeroed in on Tucker as its preferred candidate, thanks to his 13 years successfully growing Turtle Mountain’s lines of non-dairy products, primarily the SO Delicious brand, from $2 million to nearly $100 million, and thanks to his already firm status as a passionate “Killer Bread Head.”
“I’ve always admired how John has guided Turtle Mountain through significant growth and change while still creating great products and doing what’s right for the company’s customers and employees,” Dave Dahl said. “As part of our search process, we had John meet a lot of folks in the organization and we were thrilled about his interactions with them. At the end of the day, John gets our mission and our values. We think he’s the perfect guy to help us build our loyal brand following across the country, without compromising what makes our bread and our company awesome.”
Tucker started his career in quality assurance, quickly evolving into research and development and product innovation with companies like Weight Watcher’s, Kraft and Heinz. Eventually he broadened into marketing and business development with Turtle Mountain. More details about Tucker’s background and expertise are available.
“It’s a very special opportunity to be a CEO of a company you not only believe in, but truly want to be a part of. I’m very humbled that the Dahls and Goode Partners selected me from a pool of very talented candidates,” Tucker said. “Dave and I are kindred spirits – our entrepreneurial spirit, drive for innovation and need to make a difference on a higher plane resonate in unison. The mission of this company is one I wholeheartedly embrace, and one I want to help the company spread throughout everything we do. I can’t wait to get started.”
Dave’s Killer Bread launched at a small booth at the Portland Farmer’s Market in 2005, with four different sandwich breads and the unique story of Dave Dahl, an ex-con who spent a collective 15 years in prison before finding redemption and a true gift for baking. Nearly eight years, 14 states, and 16 varieties later, the company is embarking on its national expansion.
As president, Dave Dahl will continue his ongoing leadership of product development, philanthropy, and company culture. Former CEO and Co-Founder Shobi Dahl will support Tucker with business development and special projects. Separately, DKB is excited to welcome new board member Walt Freese, former chief executive officer of Ben & Jerry’s and Stonyfield Farm, who brings more than 30 years of branded food and consumer products industry experience to the Portland-based company. Freese joins Dave, Shobi and Glenn Dahl on the board along with representatives of Goode Partners.
About Dave’s Killer Bread
Dave’s Killer Bread bakes organic, whole grain, vegan and GMO-free bread products sold throughout the Western United States at leading grocery stores and local markets. Known for its trademark explosion of seeds and delicious chewiness, Dave’s Killer Bread is equally well known for the struggles faced by Dave Dahl, who battled depression and emerged from a life of crime to become one of the most celebrated bread artisans on the West Coast.
The company’s vision is to make the world a better place, one loaf of bread at a time. Founded by Dave Dahl, his brother Glenn, and nephew Shobi, the mission of Dave’s Killer Bread is to bake the highest-quality whole grain and organic bread without compromise, as well as to contribute positively to the community and create a respectful and enjoyable place for its employees to work.
In 2011, Dave’s Killer Bread was ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the “Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.” In addition, the company also received both the “Ethics in Business Award” from The Portland Rotary Club, Portland Business Journal, and Willamette University, and the “2011 Local Hero Award” from Edible Portland Magazine in the Food Artisan category. To learn more about Dave’s Killer Bread and Dave’s inspiring journey from convict to bread guru, visit www.daveskillerbread.com.
Source: Dave’s Killer Bread
