Rud Browne – Chairman & CEO
Prior to his role at Ryanna Rud was the Founder and former Chairman/Owner of The Ryzex Group a global mobile technology services company specializing in the full lifecycle management of Mobile Computer, Barcode and RFID solutions. Started with a small personal investment in 1989 from his home, Rud built the company into the world’s pre-eminent mobile technology solutions company with $75 million in annual revenues and operations in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Australia. Rud sold Ryzex in 2011 in a transaction that resulted in an outstanding return on equity.
Rud has served his community as an elected member of the Whatcom County Council, as the Council Chair, and Chair of the Finance and Administrative Services Committee. He also served on the Public Works, Health and Safety committee, the Planning and Development Services Committee, as well as the Council’s representative to the Whatcom Council of Governments, the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, the Intergovernmental Tribal Relations Committee, the Developmental Disabilities Board, the Marine Resources Committee, the Bellingham International Airport Advisory Board, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Washington State Association of Counties Legislative Steering Committee and the Northwest Clean Air Agency Board.
Rud has previously held board positions with the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (as Chairman), the Northwest Economic Council, the US Bank of Washington’s Advisory board, the Whatcom County Ethics Commission, Brigid Collins Child Abuse & Family Support Center, the Bellingham City Club, St. Paul’s Academy, the Whatcom Community Foundation and the Vancouver Board of the Entrepreneurs Organization (as Vice President for Ethics). Rud is currently a member of the World Presidents Organization and Rotary.
Rud has also served as a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (as Aircrew), the Washington State Insurance Commissioners Health Care Reform Realization Committee and the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access Steering Committee.
In 2007 Rud was recognized as a winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Rud’s passions are his family, friends, flying light aircraft and community building.
Jeff Thomas – Senior industry advisor
Jeff Thomas is a highly experienced CEO who is currently applying his skills as an operating investor to companies in the Pacific Northwest. He founded Westminster Lane Capital to identify and partner with growth companies that need additional equity to grow and develop.
Mr. Thomas currently serves as Executive Chairman of Telemedia Trainco Holdings.
For nearly 18 years, Mr. Thomas led a publicly-traded international educational travel company. During his tenure, he grew the company multiples in size, navigated through numerous business crises, market changes and economic cycles. At its peak, Ambassadors generated over $300 million a year in sales, employed over 350 associates, and engaged over 5,000 volunteer program chaperones.
In addition, Mr. Thomas completed multiple acquisitions, a secondary public offering and corporate spin-off. He also returned well over $100 million to shareowners during this time.
Prior to Mr. Thomas’ public company experience, he worked in multiple businesses, industries and markets throughout the world, while based in Boston, MA, Paris, France, Newport Beach and Menlo Park, CA. The one consistent theme throughout this stretch was his senior position working with CEO’s to develop, plan and operate strategic plans.
Jeff Thomas attended Dartmouth College, graduating Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, while double majoring in Economics and Government. While at Dartmouth, he lived in London and attended an International Relations program at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Mr. Thomas is married and has six children. He is passionate about life enjoying reading, fitness, golf, tennis, wakesurfing, photography and many other outdoor pursuits.
Bob Terwilliger – Senior industry advisor
Bob has 25 years of experience in financial and operational positions in various industries including public accounting, telecommunications, technology, on-line retailing and biotechnology. The companies have ranged from small start-ups to being placed in the Fortune 100 and have been located across the USA, Canada, Europe, South East Asia and South America.
Bob’s roles have covered a diverse range of activities including such things as business valuations in Peru, audit work in India, acquisition due diligence, strategic divestures, multi-national IT implementation and a $900 million bond raise in the US. Bob’s most recent multi-national was as the Chief Financial Officer of The Ryzex Group of companies.
Bob also serves on a local Young Life board, coaches youth soccer and has taught Junior Achievement.