Jason is a big believer in the philosophy of continuous improvement. Whether it's longer-lasting coatings with greater numbers of releases or lighter, stronger, longer-wearing pans, he is pushing for new features and striving for one or two innovations per year. He said he appreciates the need for American Pan to push for improvement in the industry and feels strong support for the engineering team's work at the company.

Jason's custom-engineered designs are specified to fit a certain product and a certain production method. "Every bakery is unique, so while they may be making essentially the same product, the pans used to make them are different for each baker," he said. When it comes to the future of custom pans, Jason doesn't expect that pans will even look the same five or ten years from today.

He said his team is enthusiastic about the quick cycle of new product development at American Pan. "We add about three products a week, so it's not a place in which one stagnates," Jason said. "Plus, I experience a lot of customer contact and feedback on my designs, which I enjoy. And although serving their needs is our key company goal, making the best pans in the business is my personal goal."

He laments not having enough time for golf the past few years, but says he can at least hit the gym at five in the morning to keep fit.