Lafarge R&D, Holcim Apasco veterans to oversee LafargeHolcim Americas

The 10-member LafargeHolcim Ltd. Executive Committee has been realigned to reflect an evolved global cement, aggregate and concrete production asset portfolio, and close an integration phase commencing with the July 2015 Lafarge Group and Holcim Ltd. merger. Representing the Western Hemisphere are region heads Pascal Casanova, North America, and Oliver Osswald, Central & South America.

Upon the merger, Casanova transitioned from Lafarge France chief executive officer to the Latin America Region and Executive Committee. He had previously served in Lafarge Roofing and Research & Development executive roles and succeeds Alain Bourguignon, a charter LafargeHolcim Executive Committee member who had overseen the Holcim Ltd. North American and U.K. businesses. Casanova’s direct reports will be CEOs John Stull, U.S. Cement; Guy Edwards, U.S. Aggregates and Construction Materials; Bruno Roux, East Canada; and, René Thibault, West Canada. Also reporting to him will be North America Head of Integration and Organization & Human Resources Alexis Langlois.

Osswald joins the Executive Committee in a much expanded role from a LafargeHolcim Argentina operations assignment. He arrived at Mexico-based Holcim Apasco in 1995; proceeded to Holcim Switzerland and Germany marketing and management posts; and, returned to Apasco in 2012, taking the helm at Holcim Argentina two years later.

MARTIN MARIETTA, SUMMIT APPOINT NEW DIRECTORS

Former Union Pacific Corp. Chairman and CEO Jack Koraleski was elected to the 10-member Martin Marietta Materials Inc. board in mid-August, joining Republic Services President and CEO Don Slager, who was appointed during the producer’s late-May annual general shareholders meeting. They succeed Frank Menaker Jr. and Richard Vinroot who, after 23 and 20 years on the board, respectively, were not eligible for election due to their reaching mandatory retirement age.

Koraleski, who retired from Omaha, Neb.-based rail services giant Union Pacific in September 2015, will serve on the Martin Marietta Audit, Management Development and Compensation, and Executive Committees. Slager, who oversees a major waste-hauling and recycling player based in Phoenix, serves on the Martin Marietta Finance, Ethics, plus Environment, Safety and Health Committees.

Separately, Denver-based cement, aggregate and concrete producer Summit Materials has appointed a ninth director, Steven Wunning, who will also serve on the Compensation Committee. “With his more than 40 years of industry experience leading global operations and driving improved performance[,] Steve brings valuable perspective as a successful business executive and seasoned board member,” says Summit CEO Tom Hill. “His deep acumen in managing expanding organizations, implementing best-in class logistics practices and integrating complex acquisitions will be a positive contribution.”

Wunning served as Caterpillar Inc. group president and executive office member from 2004 through his early-2015 retirement. He joined Caterpillar in 1973 and held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president, Logistics Division, for four years prior to his group president appointment. Wunning is also a director of Kennametal Inc., Black & Veatch Holding Co., and Sherwin Williams Co., and a trustee at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.