People
Search Cement News
Long-term Lucerne Valley plant manager Biggs dies
Written by Global Cement staff
22 November 2017
US: Bud Biggs, the long-term plant manager of the Mitsubishi Cement plant in Lucerne Valley, California, died at the age of 77 on 18 November 2017. It is thought that he suffered a heart attack. Biggs, who only retired in February 2017, had been manager of the plant since 1986.
Bud Biggs began his career at Kaiser Cement in Cupertino, California in 1962, first working in quality control and in concrete research. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1980 while working for the company. After a period working in Texas, he returned to California in 1986 to work at Kaiser Cement’s Lucerne Valley plant. Initially working as production manager, he was promoted to plant manager shortly afterwards, retaining his role when Mitsubishi Cement acquired Kaiser Cement.
Over the years Biggs made great contributions to the local community. In 2005 he and Mitsubishi Cement’s Senior Vice President Mike Jasberg formed the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation (MCCEF), which provides additional funding for local schools and scholarships for students. Biggs was also on the boards of several other local educational and professional institutes.
Ross Wilkin and Michael Werner join senior team at HarbisonWalker International
Written by Global Cement staff
15 November 2017
US: Refractory manufacturer HarbisonWalker International (HWI) has announced two new members of its senior leadership team. Ross Wilkin has joined as chief financial officer (CFO) and corporate treasurer, and Michael Werner has joined as senior vice president, Commercial and corporate officer.
Wilkin joins HWI from Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, where he served as CFO. Before his role at Universal Stainless, he was CFO at Dynamics. Much of Wilkin’s career has been spent with HJ Heinz Company where he eventually became the became the vice president and CFO for the company’s Australia and New Zealand organisation. He began his finance career at KPMG, serving both in Toronto, Canada and in Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of Carlton University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Finance, Wilkin is a certified public accountant in both Canada and the US.
Werner previously led global commercial operations for Loparex. Prior to this he spent 20 years at GE Plastics and Sabic in numerous domestic and global roles, where he progressed to become Product General Manager. He began his career at Monsanto as an engineer in Technical Development and as a manager of Business Development in the thermoplastic elastomer business. Werner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Polymer Science from the Pennsylvania State University.
Michael Ireland appointed president and chief executive officer of Portland Cement Association
Written by Global Cement staff
08 November 2017
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) board of directors has appointed Michael Ireland president and chief executive officer (CEO). He replaces former President and CEO James Toscas.
In addition, the PCA board of directors elected the following new members: Greg Hale from Capitol Aggregates; Steve Regis, Bruce Shafer and Mark Wagy from CalPortland Company; Enrique Rozas from Drake Cement and Mike Ireland of PCA.
Masud Khan appointed chief executive officer of Crown Cement
Written by Global Cement staff
08 November 2017
Bangladesh: Masud Khan has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Crown Cement Group. Previously he was an adviser to the CEO of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh and also worked as its chief financial officer, according to the Daily Star newspaper. He has also served as an independent director of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh, Marico Bangladesh and Berger Paints Bangladesh. Khan graduated from St Xavier's College in Kolkata, India. He is also a member of the guest faculty at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh.
Sanjeev Gemawat appointed company secretary of Dalmia Bharat
Written by Global Cement staff
08 November 2017
India: Dalmia Bharat has appointed Sanjeev Gemawat as its company secretary. He succeeds Nidhi Bisaria who has resigned. Gemawat has worked for Dalmia Bharat as an executive director (legal) since 2016. Previous to this he worked for DLF Group, JCB India and Modicorp amongst other companies. A trained accountant, he is a member of the Chartered Accountants of India.