The American Society of Baking (ASB) names Kent Van Amburg executive director, succeeding Kerwin Brown who served as interim executive director.

“We are extremely excited to have Kent as the next leader of ASB,” says Rowdy Brixey chairman of ASB and director of engineering and maintenance of Kansas City, Mo.-based Bimbo Bakeries USA. “His diverse association management experience will help ASB increase value to Society members and as well as their respective companies. Kent has the leadership skills, intelligence and energy to build on ASB's storied history while taking ASB in exciting new directions.”

Van Amburg most recently served as the executive director of the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA). A certified association executive (CAE), he worked with the leadership of GAWDA to significantly increase member participation while restoring the group to financial health. He also has served a variety of senior management positions with medical professional societies and the American Trucking Associations.

No stranger to the food industry, Van Amburg graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural economics. He has worked for the Grains Council and the United Soybean Board and holds an MS in agricultural economics from Purdue University.

“ASB is deeply indebted to Mr. Brown for his tremendous service to the society during this interim period,” Brixey says. “We will continue to call on him for advice and counsel during the transition period to Kent's leadership.”