AMF Bakery Systems, the global leader in bakery automation solutions, has announced the promotion of Jason Ward to president, effective immediately. In this new role, Ward will continue to manage the company’s day to day operations while creating and delivering the company’s vision and overall mission.

Ward joined AMF Bakery Systems in 2011 as vice president of sales and marketing, leading the expansion of the company’s international sales and global brand awareness. Ward stepped into an executive leadership role as executive vice president in August of 2015.

“As my role has expanded with the continued growth of the Markel Food Group, Jason has effectively been running AMF for these past two years,”” said Ken Newsome, CEO of Markel Food Group, in announcing the promotion. “Jason has been an outstanding leader and a tremendous asset in the long-term planning for AMF with our acceleration of product innovation and market expansion. I am confident he will continue to drive AMF’s position as the leader in the industry as we further expand our reach while improving the value of AMF’s offerings to customers worldwide.”

“I am honored for the opportunity to lead this extraordinary team,” said Ward. “As we move forward our focus will be helping our baker customers around the world succeed and investing in new technology and talent that enables us to provide differentiated solutions and capabilities to the baking industry.” Ward will continue to work alongside the leadership of Markel Food Group partners, Reading Bakery Systems and Tromp Group, to provide bakery customers with the most expansive portfolio of innovative process solutions.