Wil Keenan '05: Leaving High Tech to Make Big Dough
In 2019, following a successful technology career in San Francisco and New York City, Wil Keenan '05 left the hustle and bustle of the big city to follow his true passion. With his wife, Liz, by his side, Wil opened Wilson’s Bread Co. in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Graduating Magna Cum Laude in three years from Vanderbilt University, Wil has a knack for making great things happen in a short amount of time.
According to Wil, "In late 2018 a switch flipped when a friend baked a loaf of bread to snack on while we were prepping food for my wedding. The flavor and texture of that bread awakened a mildly dormant culinary animal. I began baking just about every day - cultivating a starter, experimenting with various methods and techniques from books such as Tartine Book No. 3 and Modernist Bread."
According to Wil, "In late 2018 a switch flipped when a friend baked a loaf of bread to snack on while we were prepping food for my wedding. The flavor and texture of that bread awakened a mildly dormant culinary animal. I began baking just about every day - cultivating a starter, experimenting with various methods and techniques from books such as Tartine Book No. 3 and Modernist Bread."
Wil is no stranger to new ventures, and bread is usually involved when inspiration hits. While enrolled in an East African class, Wil and a fellow Vanderbilt classmate decided over a bagel one morning to travel to Uganda and start a company and a nonprofit that would provide Ugandan artisans with sustainable income and resources toward improving education in the country. The college sophomores were recognized by the Chancellor of Vanderbilt for their grass roots community service in Uganda. The two set out to address poverty and lack of access to quality education, key factors contributing to the conflict in Uganda.
A 14-year senior at Hammond, Wil was named “Mr. Phoenix”. The faculty recognized him as a student who best embodied the qualities of academic excellence, community service, school spirit, and participation in extracurricular activities. Wil’s commitment to community service and keen eye for business have continued to follow him through the years.
If you find yourself in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, be sure to stop on Main Street in Andes to check out Wilson’s Bread Co. A line forms down Main Street each Saturday morning for Wil's fresh breads and pastries made from organic grains, sourced from local farms. Be sure not to leave without trying his sought-after croissants and lemon tarts!
For more on Wilson's Bread Co., and Wil's blog, view his website.
