CLEVELAND, OH The Austin Company announces that Jeffrey E. Dearduff joins the firm as Corporate Director of Baking & Snack. In this role, Dearduff will have company-wide responsibility for leading Austin's baking and snack industry services, including location consulting, design, engineering, planning, construction, and design-build.

"Jeff is a great addition to our team. His experience and background serving the baking and snack industry will greatly benefit our clients and their projects in this market," said Mike Pierce, President of The Austin Company. "We are confident that Jeff's progressive thinking will bring even greater value to our clients and their facility projects."

Dearduff joins The Austin Company from Gold Standard Baking where he was Chief Operating Officer. Previously he was with ARYZTA Americas, where he served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain Services; Senior Vice President of Bakery Development; and Senior Vice President of Strategic Partner Development. Prior to ARYZTA, he served as Director of U.S. Bakery Operations for East Balt, Inc.

In 2014, Dearduff was recognized by Sosland Publishing/Baking & Snack magazine as the Operations Executive of the Year. In addition, he is Past Chairman of the American Society of Baking, is on the American Institute of Baking Board of Trustees, has served in numerous other industry organization leadership roles, and has received several industry awards.