US: The American Cement Association’s (ACA) Board of Directors has announced that Diane Tomb will assume the role of ACA’s President and CEO, with effect from 1 June 2026. ACA said that the board’s decision follows a ‘thoughtful and thorough search process’ undertaken by its Search Task Group.

Tomb holds over 25 years of experience shaping policy. The ACA says that she brings a combination of policy expertise, coalition-building skill and executive leadership that will serve the US cement industry well at this pivotal time. She joins the ACA from ACG Advocacy, where she worked as a partner and advised clients on trade, housing, federal investment, energy and infrastructure policy. She worked as CEO of the American Land Title Association (ALTA), where she promoted the industry’s national voice and built partnerships with AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) and the FBI to protect consumers from real estate-related fraud. Prior to ALTA, she was the president of the National Rental Home Council. Tomb also held the role of the president and CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Tomb also has federal government experience, which includes working as Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development; Director of Public Affairs at the International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce; and in the White House.

Monica Monales, ACA Board Chair and Region President, Ash Grove East, said “Diane brings strong leadership experience to ACA, a deep expertise in national trade associations, a long history of driving collaboration both within and across industries to create lasting value, with the proven ability to advocate effectively on Capitol Hill. She has an impressive track record of raising the profile of other respected trade associations, and I’m certain she will take ACA to the next level as well. I’m happy to welcome Diane to this role at this exciting time in the industry’s history.”

Speaking about her appointment Tomb said “America’s cement industry is a foundational pillar of our national infrastructure, our manufacturing base, and our national security. As innovation and technology reshape how we build from data centres to next-generation infrastructure, domestic cement production is central to America’s economic competitiveness. I am honoured to lead ACA at such a consequential moment and could not be more excited to get to work."

Tomb will work closely with the ACA’s outgoing President and CEO, Mike Ireland, to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition. Ireland will remain on staff at ACA until the end of the year. “ACA’s strength has always come from its people, its mission, and its commitment to serving the industry with excellence,” said Ireland. “It has been an honour to lead ACA throughout the past decade, and I am confident that under Diane’s leadership, ACA is well-positioned for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.”
Monales added “The board is sincerely grateful for Mike’s tenure leading ACA with his significant contributions to the association and the industry.”

Finland: Coolbrook has appointed Frank Eulitz as its Chief Technology Officer.

Eulitz holds over 30 years of experience in industrial research and development, turbomachinery and academic research. Most recently, he worked as Professor and Head of the Turbomachinery & Propulsion Department at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics. Before that, he held management positions at Siemens Energy and MAN Energy Solutions.

Finland-based Coolbrook develops technologies to replace the use of fossil fuels in large processing industries including cement. Over the past 10 years, the company has developed the Roto Dynamic Reactor (RDR) and Roto Dynamic Heater (RDH). Both of these convert electrical power into thermal energy, in the form of high-temperature gas.

Pakistan: Fauji Cement has appointed Qaiser Mehmood as its Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds Omer Ashraf, who has become the CEO at Attock Cement. Mehmood has worked for Fauji Cement since 2006. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (FCA).

Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) has elected Dirk Spenner, Spenner Zement as its president. He succeeds Christian Knell, Heidelberg Materials, who has been in post since 2017. The board of the VDZ has also been preparing for a change in management at the organisation following the planned retirement of the current CEO Martin Schneider in November 2026. Manuel Mohr will become the new CEO of the VDZ. He is currently working as the Head of Political and Economic Affairs and the managing director of the InformationsZentrum Beton. He will lead the association together with Jörg Rickert, who will become Managing Director Technology. Rickert is currently the Managing Director VDZ Technology and Head of Cement Chemistry.