Applied Digital names Jason Zhang president as AI expansion continues

Applied Digital, a designer and operator of high-performance, sustainably engineered data centers and colocation services for artificial intelligence, cloud, networking, and blockchain workloads, announced the appointment of co-founder Jason Zhang as president. The change formalizes a leadership role Zhang has held in shaping the company’s strategy and comes as the firm positions itself for the next phase of AI infrastructure growth.

Zhang has served as chief strategy officer since August 2025 and will continue to work closely with co-founder Wes Cummins, who remains chairman and CEO. Zhang’s background blends technology investing and deal-making: he founded Valuefinder in 2019 and previously worked on investment teams at Sequoia Capital and MSD Capital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University. “I am honored to take on the role of President at such a momentous and exciting time for the company,” Zhang said.

The promotion signals continuity rather than a directional break. Applied Digital’s description emphasizes engineering and sustainability for energy-intensive facilities that support AI and blockchain workloads. For local officials in Jamestown and across Stutsman County, that combination of technical capacity and growth-minded leadership is relevant because it affects how companies evaluate potential sites. Data center firms prioritize reliable power, fiber connectivity, available land, and predictable permitting and tax regimes when choosing locations.

Economic impacts from data center projects are typically concentrated in construction-phase employment, equipment and services procurement, and longer-term additions to the tax base through property and utility payments. While permanent onsite operations teams are often smaller than construction crews, the broader local supply chain and tax revenues can be consequential for counties weighing potential bids. Zhang’s investor background may sharpen Applied Digital’s focus on profitable, scalable projects—and on where to deploy capital and staff as demand for AI infrastructure expands.

Market-wise, the appointment underlines the industry trend of dedicated leadership teams as companies scale from early-stage builds to larger colo and hyperscale deployments. For Stutsman County, that means economic development leaders, utility managers, and landowners should monitor Applied Digital and similar firms as possible partners or competitors in recruiting technology infrastructure investment.

What comes next for residents is chiefly a period of observation and preparation: county decision-makers may need to update siting studies, review grid capacity estimates, and consider workforce training aligned to construction trades and data center operations. As Applied Digital advances its growth plans under Zhang’s presidency, those local steps will determine whether Stutsman County is in a position to attract the kinds of projects that can reshape local tax rolls and job flows.