Kyle Walker Email & Phone Number

As a corporate venture capitalist with a focus on innovation and strategic growth, I have dedicated my career to identifying and nurturing the most promising startups that align with our company’s long-term vision. Working at the intersection of technology, finance, and strategic planning, I leverage my deep industry expertise and analytical skills to make high-impact investments that drive both innovation and competitive advantage for our organization.I thrive in the fast-paced… Show more As a corporate venture capitalist with a focus on innovation and strategic growth, I have dedicated my career to identifying and nurturing the most promising startups that align with our company’s long-term vision. Working at the intersection of technology, finance, and strategic planning, I leverage my deep industry expertise and analytical skills to make high-impact investments that drive both innovation and competitive advantage for our organization.I thrive in the fast-paced, dynamic world of corporate venture capital, where the challenges are as significant as the opportunities. From navigating complex internal dynamics to forging strong partnerships with cutting-edge startups, my role requires a unique blend of strategic insight, financial acumen, and the ability to foresee market trends. I pride myself on my ability to balance risk and reward, making decisions that not only benefit our corporate strategy but also foster growth and innovation within the broader industry.Over the years, I have developed a strong track record of success in sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities that drive value and innovation. I am passionate about staying at the forefront of industry developments and continuously expanding my knowledge to better support the evolution of our company’s strategic objectives. Show less

Following my success with Ryder's connected vehicle strategy, I was promoted to Manager of Finance to lead the integration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA). In this role, I established Ryder's Automation Center of Excellence (CoE), one of the first RPA teams at a Fortune 500 company, focused on deploying automation to drive efficiency and reduce costs.Building the Team and Structure: I hired a team of industrial engineers and robot developers to form the foundation of our RPA… Show more Following my success with Ryder's connected vehicle strategy, I was promoted to Manager of Finance to lead the integration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA). In this role, I established Ryder's Automation Center of Excellence (CoE), one of the first RPA teams at a Fortune 500 company, focused on deploying automation to drive efficiency and reduce costs.Building the Team and Structure: I hired a team of industrial engineers and robot developers to form the foundation of our RPA efforts. I also created the necessary enterprise structure to support this new technology, ensuring we had the governance and frameworks needed to manage a robotic workforce effectively.Deploying RPA Across the Business: I led the identification of automation opportunities across various departments and managed the team that designed and deployed hundreds of software robots. These robots automated repetitive, manual tasks, freeing employees to focus on higher-value activities. Our RPA initiatives resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings and significant improvements in process efficiency.Measuring Success and Managing Automation: I developed a methodology to track and report the financial benefits of our RPA program, demonstrating its impact on the company's bottom line. Additionally, I established management practices to oversee the robotic workforce, ensuring seamless integration with human teams and maintaining high performance.Through my leadership, Ryder's Automation CoE became a pioneer in RPA implementation within a large organization, setting a benchmark for how Fortune 500 companies can leverage automation to transform operations, reduce costs, and drive innovation. Show less

At Ryder, I was recruited to develop and execute a connected vehicle strategy to modernize our entire fleet of commercial vehicles, including over 40,000 rental units. The objective was to leverage telemetry data from every truck to revolutionize fleet management and enhance supply chain visibility.Creating the Strategy: I led Ryder in exploring the potential of having real-time telemetry data from each vehicle. This involved analyzing how data on vehicle location, trips, tolls, driver… Show more At Ryder, I was recruited to develop and execute a connected vehicle strategy to modernize our entire fleet of commercial vehicles, including over 40,000 rental units. The objective was to leverage telemetry data from every truck to revolutionize fleet management and enhance supply chain visibility.Creating the Strategy: I led Ryder in exploring the potential of having real-time telemetry data from each vehicle. This involved analyzing how data on vehicle location, trips, tolls, driver logs, and performance metrics could be utilized to optimize logistics and improve operational efficiency. We developed a comprehensive roadmap outlining new products that would transform fleet management by providing real-time insights and enhancing supply chain visibility.Executing the Vision: To implement this strategy, I established strategic partnerships and reseller agreements with leading telematics providers, ensuring access to top-tier technology and data solutions. I also oversaw the creation of a data lake capable of ingesting data from any OEM or connectivity provider, enabling a unified analysis platform. We launched RyderConnect, a product that helped our rental and lease customers meet new FMCSA electronic logging device (ELD) requirements and benefit from enhanced connectivity.Launching Transformative Products: I played a key role in developing RyderGyde, Ryder's fleet management platform that allows customers to locate Ryder service centers and schedule vehicle maintenance. I enabled RyderGyde to automate maintenance appointments when telemetry data indicated a vehicle issue, significantly reducing downtime. Additionally, I supported a predictive maintenance pilot that used data analytics to forecast vehicle maintenance needs, further optimizing fleet reliability and minimizing breakdowns.Sales Leadership: Beyond product development, I took a direct role in customer engagement and sales, leading efforts to promote and sell RyderConnect. Show less

Remote

Trusted by Ryder to represent their multi million dollar investment in Autotech Ventures and their efforts to find and invest in supply chain related startup companies.* Supply Chain Advisory Committee Member

After proving my capabilities with defense clients at Navigant Consulting, I was promoted to the Defense Practice. I continued supporting the U.S. Navy in enhancing energy resiliency across 70+ global installations, while expanding my work to new projects with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), other Department of Defense (DOD) branches, and CASIS.I supported a team specializing in R&D portfolio management for various defense organizations, evaluating investments in emerging… Show more After proving my capabilities with defense clients at Navigant Consulting, I was promoted to the Defense Practice. I continued supporting the U.S. Navy in enhancing energy resiliency across 70+ global installations, while expanding my work to new projects with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), other Department of Defense (DOD) branches, and CASIS.I supported a team specializing in R&D portfolio management for various defense organizations, evaluating investments in emerging technologies that enhance national security, military readiness, or societal benefits. I contributed to R&D portfolio reviews for agencies such as the TSA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Air Force, and DHS Science & Technology. These evaluations helped guide strategic funding and development decisions.At CASIS, which manages the International Space Station (ISS), I helped develop a methodology to evaluate proposals for scientific experiments to be conducted on the ISS. This framework is still used today and ensures that projects align with strategic objectives and deliver significant research outcomes. I also participated in a follow-up review to assess the effectiveness of ongoing research on the ISS.Additionally, I developed expertise in the Internet of Things (IoT) and was hired by a U.S. city to help design a smart city strategy. This project focused on modernizing city infrastructure to enhance public safety and services, utilizing IoT solutions to improve urban management and citizen engagement.These roles allowed me to refine my skills in strategic planning, R&D portfolio management, and integrating cutting-edge technologies in both defense and civilian sectors, driving impactful outcomes across multiple government agencies. Show less

As a result of my successful summer internships, I was offered a full-time position with Navigant Consulting. In my first role as a Consultant in the Global Energy Practice, I led a multi-year project focused on enhancing energy resiliency, security, and reliability across over 70 U.S. Navy installations worldwide, including key locations such as Okinawa and Guam.My responsibilities included developing an analytical framework to assess the current energy needs of these installations and… Show more As a result of my successful summer internships, I was offered a full-time position with Navigant Consulting. In my first role as a Consultant in the Global Energy Practice, I led a multi-year project focused on enhancing energy resiliency, security, and reliability across over 70 U.S. Navy installations worldwide, including key locations such as Okinawa and Guam.My responsibilities included developing an analytical framework to assess the current energy needs of these installations and creating GIS maps to visualize the existing energy infrastructure. I also calculated the potential savings and resilience benefits of modernizing critical systems, such as implementing smart grid technologies and integrating distributed energy resources (DERs).Based on my analysis, I formulated detailed project recommendations aimed at optimizing energy use and increasing the installations' ability to withstand disruptions. I presented these findings and strategic recommendations to NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command) leadership, including senior decision-makers, to support their energy modernization efforts and improve overall mission readiness. This role allowed me to combine technical analysis with strategic planning and develop strong presentation and stakeholder engagement skills. Show less

During my second internship, I assisted a major global conglomerate in evaluating the potential business opportunity of entering the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant equipment market. My primary responsibility was to conduct a thorough market analysis, which involved performing due diligence to understand the market size, analyzing competitors, and assessing industry trends.I created detailed profiles of the market and competitors in the CCGT space, identifying key players,… Show more During my second internship, I assisted a major global conglomerate in evaluating the potential business opportunity of entering the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant equipment market. My primary responsibility was to conduct a thorough market analysis, which involved performing due diligence to understand the market size, analyzing competitors, and assessing industry trends.I created detailed profiles of the market and competitors in the CCGT space, identifying key players, their market share, and strategic positioning. Additionally, I evaluated potential growth opportunities, regulatory impacts, and technological advancements influencing the market. My work culminated in strategic recommendations that helped the client determine whether to pursue this business venture. This experience sharpened my analytical skills and provided insights into strategic decision-making processes in the energy sector. Show less

During my internship with Navigant Consulting's Global Energy Practice in Burlington, MA, I worked in a lab setting that focused on analyzing the energy efficiency of commercial and residential appliances. My role involved tearing down appliances, such as HVAC systems, to examine their components and functionality. By understanding how these systems operated, I helped determine their energy efficiency potential.This detailed analysis supported the Department of Energy (DOE) in setting… Show more During my internship with Navigant Consulting's Global Energy Practice in Burlington, MA, I worked in a lab setting that focused on analyzing the energy efficiency of commercial and residential appliances. My role involved tearing down appliances, such as HVAC systems, to examine their components and functionality. By understanding how these systems operated, I helped determine their energy efficiency potential.This detailed analysis supported the Department of Energy (DOE) in setting annual energy efficiency targets aimed at improving the performance standards for manufacturers. My work contributed to developing strategies for enhancing appliance efficiency, aligning with the DOE’s goals to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the intersection of technology, policy, and energy efficiency. Show less