Industry veteran Will Means has joined Middleby as president of Southbend. Means will work with John Perruccio, a Middleby Group president whose area of responsibility includes Southbend, for the rest of the year “to ensure a smooth management transition,” per a Middleby release.

In his new role Means assumes responsibility for managing all facets of Southbend operations and directing the brand strategy. Perruccio will continue in his role as group president, working with Middleby Steam and the brands Crown, Firex and Market Forge. Perruccio will also continue to lead Middleby’s dealer initiatives.

Means comes to Middleby after having spent the past 17 years with Ali Group in various senior positions. Most recently Means was Welbilt group president and before that he was president of refrigeration brands Beverage Air and Victory. Prior to that, he was president of Champion Industries.