Cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. on Monday said it has picked Gerardo C. Ablaza Jr., an experienced executive who has successfully led some of the top companies in the Philippines, to become one of its independent directors.
“We are pleased to have Gerry as a member of the Holcim’s board of directors. His strong track record in leading a number of top corporations in the country will definitely strengthen the board’s ability to set direction in further strengthening Holcim Philippines’ business performance and positive impact,” Holcim Chairman Tomas I. Alcantara said.
Ablaza already retired from full-time executive work in 2017, after performing various corporate executive roles for over 43 years in a variety of industries. His last executive assignment, from 2010 to 2017, was as president and CEO of Manila Water Co., the East Zone concessionaire.
During his term, Ablaza took Manila Water beyond its singular presence in Metro Manila and led an expansion into new markets in the provincial areas of the Philippines, as well as in Vietnam.
“Gerry’s experience in driving change and growth in the companies he led are invaluable as we accelerate our transformation in Holcim Philippines. We have reached exciting milestones in becoming the leader in innovation and sustainability in the local building materials industry and excited to continue these with Gerry’s support,” Holcim President and CEO Horia Adrian said.
Ablaza was at the helm of Globe Telecom Inc. from 1997 to 2009, leading the telecom firm from being a startup company with 97,000 subscribers in 1997 to becoming a large business with 25 million customers at the end of 2008, the year before he stepped down from the CEO post.