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How Bob Raymond puts his ‘crazy ideas’ to work at Commonwealth Senior Living

From hydroponic gardens in the dining rooms to robots bussing tables, this Charlottesville, Va.-based senior-living network is on the cutting edge. By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 05, 2020

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Bob Raymond, vice president of Procurement and Dining Services for Commonwealth Senior Living, isn’t afraid to experiment with what he admits can be “crazy ideas.” From hydroponic microfarms installed in the dining rooms, to using robots to bus tables and deliver mail, this innovative thinker is putting his ideas into action at Commonwealth’s 35 communities. At the same time, Raymond is laser-focused on engaging with residents, upgrading hospitality training for employees and developing broadly appealing menus. That balance of high-tech and high-touch has proven to be a successful combination for Commonwealth Senior Living.

 

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Pat plans and executes the menu sections of Restaurant Business and FoodService Director and hosts the weekly Menu Feed podcast. She provides in-depth coverage of chefs, trends and menu innovation.
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