Filiberto Ruiz, president and chief executive officer of Toronto-based Votorantim Cimentos North America, has been elected to a two-year term as Portland Cement Association chair, succeeding his GCC of America counterpart Ron Henley.
“Portland Cement Association plays a crucial role in the advancement of the cement and construction industries, not only in the U.S., but in partnership with other like-minded organizations around the world,” says Ruiz. “Their thought leadership, strategic research, outreach, and advocacy efforts are all critical toward aligning cement and concrete producers and paving the way toward a more sustainable future. I look forward to continuing to build upon the great work of all those who preceded me in this important position.” A native of Mexico who has spent the last 16 years in the U.S. and Canada, he adds, “I believe my role in leadership of the board demonstrates the type of diversity and inclusion that we want to encourage across the cement industry.”
Succeeding Ruiz as PCA vice chair is Massimo Toso, president and CEO of Bethlehem, Pa.-based Buzzi Unicem USA Inc. He served as inaugural PCA Climate and Sustainability Council co-chair, spearheading efforts behind the group’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. He continues to lead the Council as it transitions from Roadmap development to implementation.
“Our industry is an integral part of tremendous mainstream events happening today in the U.S.,” Toso observes. “We have an essential role in the rebuilding of America’s infrastructure, and are bolstering our visibility in the global environmental arena—boldly setting a deadline for ourselves to dramatically curb our carbon emissions.”
“Our association is moving in the right direction, and arguably garnering more attention now than it ever has in its history. Since releasing our Roadmap, PCA has been recognized as a top information resource by the likes of the Department of Energy and the White House,” affirms PCA President and CEO Mike Ireland. “Filiberto and Massimo are visionaries. Innovation is their wheelhouse. They are the appropriate chairman and vice chair to navigate PCA toward an even more prestigious and sustainable future.”
Under Ruiz and Toso, PCA Directors, members and staff are poised to maintain the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality year one momentum, while also ensuring cement and concrete interests are served in federal government actions tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) and Inflation Reduction Act (2022).
Along with the officer appointments, PCA has named Continental Cement Co. President David Loomes as a director, replacing his Summit Materials colleague Tom Beck.