10 Middleby operations leaders
Jim Kramer, EVP Middleby Service Operations at The Middleby Corporation, heads this list of Middleby operations leaders, who also include vice presidents of operations at Middleby Marshall, Middleby Refrigeration and Middleby Outdoor. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Middleby from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Brian Thompson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Middleby Marshall
Brian Thompson has been Vice President Operations at Middleby Marshall since July 2023, based in Elgin, Illinois, and describes progressive operations leadership in manufacturing. Brian Thompson was Plant Manager at Middleby Marshall from 2021 to 2023 and Manufactoring Supervisor / CNC Programmer at The Middleby Corporation from 2007 to 2023.
Brian Watley
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Middleby Outdoor
Brian Watley has been Vice President Operations at Middleby Outdoor since March 2025, based in Phenix City, Alabama. Brian Watley also lists Senior Director Of Operations at Middleby Outdoor from 2022 to 2026, and was Director Of Operations at Masterbuilt Manufacturing, LLC from 2016 to 2022 and Operations Manager there from 2013 to 2016.
Dave Kaplan
LinkedInExperience: VP of Operations · Middleby Coffee
Dave Kaplan was VP of Operations at Middleby Coffee from April 2023 to March 2024 and General Manager there from 2024 to 2026, delivering the operational side of 33% EBITDA growth from 2024 to 2025, based in the Greater Seattle Area. Dave Kaplan has been Vice President Operations at OraWellness since August 2026.
David Brewer
LinkedInExperience: COO Middleby Corp, Corporate Officer · Middleby Corporation
David Brewer was COO Middleby Corp, Corporate Officer at Middleby Corporation from 2007 to February 2026, a role the profile describes as overseeing 115 brands, based in the Louisville Metropolitan Area. David Brewer was President the Pitco / MagiKitchen Division and has worked as an executive advisor for foodservice and food processing since 2026.
Hans Yang
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · The Middleby Corporation
Hans Yang has been Vice President of Operations at The Middleby Corporation since May 2024, based in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, and describes leading multi-site manufacturing and cross-border business transfers. Hans Yang was Sr. Director of Operations at Middleby from 2021 to 2024 and Director of Operations & Supply Chain at Quasar Medical from 2019 to 2021.
Jeff Maybruck
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Operations - Follett Products Division · Middleby Foodservice
Jeff Maybruck has held Senior Vice President, Operations - Follett Products Division at Middleby Foodservice since December 2021 and Senior Vice President & General Manager - Follett Products Division since April 2024, based in the United States. Jeff Maybruck was Vice President, Operations - Follett Products Devision from 2016 to 2021.
Jim Kramer
LinkedInExperience: EVP Middleby Service Operations · The Middleby Corporation
Jim Kramer has been EVP Middleby Service Operations at The Middleby Corporation since June 2025, based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Jim Kramer also lists VP Aftermarket Support Viking Range, LLC Middleby Residential since 2016, was General Manager Middleby Advantage from 2015 to 2016 and Director of Operations at 3Wire Service from 2009 to 2014.
Joshua Ambrose
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · Middleby Refrigeration
Joshua Ambrose has been Vice President of Operations at Middleby Refrigeration since January 2025, based in Rockford, Michigan. Joshua Ambrose also lists Director of Operations at Marvel Refrigeration since July 2021 and Engineering Manager there since 2020, and was a Project Engineer at Marvel Refrigeration from 2015 to 2020.
Scott Jordan
LinkedInExperience: VP Strategic Operational Initiatives · The Middleby Corporation
Scott Jordan has been VP Strategic Operational Initiatives at The Middleby Corporation since January 2025, based in Allen, Texas. Scott Jordan was President - APW, Bakers Pride, Star Holdings Group at Middleby from 2019 to 2025, President - Cooking Solutions Group at Standex International from 2015 to 2019 and President - Master-Bilt there.
Vladimir Salazar
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Middleby Outdoor
Vladimir Salazar was Chief Operating Officer at Middleby Outdoor from April 2020 to May 2023, based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Vladimir Salazar has been an Executive Director at The Middleby Corporation since March 2023, and was Supply Chain Director at Eaton from 2017 to 2020 and Plant Manager at Eaton from 2013 to 2016.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's brand and scope, one plant, a division or a service network, to the decision you face. Check the dates on each Middleby role to judge how recent their view of the work is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How much did operations practice differ across the Middleby brands you worked with?
- 02Which operating metrics did you review most often while running a Middleby plant or division?
- 03What made an operations change at your plant or division go smoothly or stall in your experience?
Reaching Middleby operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Middleby operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 7 companies, including Middleby Marshall, Middleby Outdoor and Middleby Coffee, based on profile data retrieved on October 24, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Middleby operations leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. The offer is what the person receives, and Instant Expert's fee is added on top, so a $100 offer costs you $125. The fee is 20% of what you pay. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these Middleby operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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