Mulry Joins Wild Oats to Head Product Standards, Development

BOULDER, Colo.--Mary Mulry, Ph.D., joined Wild Oats Markets Inc. in the new position of senior director of product development and standards. Mulry will work with John Taylor, the new senior director of quality assurance/research and development, and Michelle Walker, who was named manager of standards.

"[We are] realigning our organization to emphasize quality assurance and standards," said Bruce Bowman, senior vice president of operations for Wild Oats (www.wildoats.com). "In addition to ensuring our product standards are met, this critical new role will allow us to continue to enhance our [product] offerings."

Since 1993, Mulry ran her own food consulting business, FoodWise; previously, she worked at Celestial Seasonings, Kellogg's and Kraft Foods. "This opportunity allows me to have a positive influence on the industry and on a company trying to have the best product standards," Mulry said. "The product development aspect is interesting and will allow me to do work across product categories." Her goals at Wild Oats include helping stores comply with this fall's implementation of the National Organic Program and developing a comprehensive quality assurance program for stores and contract marketers.