Michael McSweeney, the long-time president and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), is retiring after heading the organisation for 12 years.
He will be succeeded by current CAC vice president of environment and sustainability Adam Auer, who takes up his new duties effective from April 1 2022.
CAC chair Marie Glenn paid tribute to Michael McSweeney, stating that he transformed the CAC into a leading trade association focused on positioning Canada’s cement industry as a global leader in the fight against climate change.
“He worked tirelessly on improving the industry’s profile and getting governments and other stakeholders to recognize the importance of cement and concrete. We extend our sincere gratitude to Michael for his leadership and dedication to the cement industry and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” Glenn added.
“Canada’s cement and concrete industry is charting a path to net-zero concrete. Adam brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this challenge, and we are tremendously excited to have Adam’s leadership in helping us to realise this ambition.”
Adam Auer joined the CAC in 2012, and in his current sustainability role he works closely with government, industry, environmental and other civil society groups to promote and enhance concrete’s contribution to sustainability.
“As the manufacturers of the world’s second most-consumed material after water, the industry shares a responsibility to find solutions to the challenges of climate change, sustainable construction, and the circular economy,” said Auer. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with our members, allies, partners and all level of governments to help deepen the cement and concrete sector’s leadership in Canada’s clean economy transition and in building a thriving, innovative and net-zero future.”
Michael McSweeney will remain as a strategic advisor to Adam Auer until June 30, 2022.
Auer has over twenty years’ experience as a sustainability professional working with public, private and non-profit institutions. Prior to joining the CAC in 2012, he managed Environment Canada’s Corporate Environmental Innovation initiative – a multi-stakeholder programme to promote the business and financial case for corporate environmental leadership and the link between sustainability and an innovative and competitive economy.
