A previously announced changing of the guard at BASF Construction Chemicals' Admixture Systems business became official June 30, with the naming of Gabriel Cottrell president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Mike Shydlowski, whose resume spans nearly 40 years of marketing, sales, technical service and management positions with admixture, ready mixed concrete, and cement companies. He will continue to handle special projects as an executive consultant to BASF Construction Chemicals, while participating in National Ready Mixed Concrete Association activities and maintaining Concrete Industry Management Program/National Steering Committee vice chairmanship.

Cottrell joined Master Builders in 1978 as Caribbean Region sales representative, then assumed a succession of international sales management assignments. Those included a four-year term as vice president of Latin America, leading up to the most recent role as president of the Latin America business line and (pre-BASF) Degussa Construction Chemicals Executive Committee member. Cottrell reports to John Salvatore, who heads Cleveland-based BASF Construction Chemicals NAFTA, which in addition to Admixture Systems includes the Buildings Systems (Shakopee, MN), Wall Systems (Jacksonville, FL), and Waston Bowman Acme (Amherst, NY) business lines.