• by Tyler Loechner  @mp_tyler, April 7, 2014

AOL on Monday announced the appointment of William Pence as its global chief technology officer. He will also be a member of the company’s global operating committee.

Pence joins AOL from WebMD, where he served as executive vice president and CTO since 2007. He became chief operating officer at WebMD in 2012.

AOL has a newfound focus on technology and ad platforms, and the addition of Pence comes just weeks after the company reshuffled the leadership of its Platforms unit. The company also recently announced the upcoming launch of a global, multi-channel programmatic ad platform, a massive undertaking that went into motion nearly four years ago.

"AOL is building a global media and technology company, and we are excited to welcome the leadership and experience of Bill Pence to the company,” stated Tim Armstrong, chairman and CEO.

In the same statement, Pence acknowledges that technology “is at the forefront of AOL’s strategy.”

Pence will replace Curtis Brown, who has served as AOL’s CTO since 2010. Brown will leave the company following a transition period.

Pence will be based in AOL’s New York City headquarters and will report to Armstrong. He officially joins AOL on April 30.