Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative Elects New Chair, Two Vice Chairs

The Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative (CJSI) has appointed Julie Buffenbarger chairman of CJSI. The coalition also elected James Toscas and Kevin Mlutkowski as vice chairs focusing on advocacy and operations, respectively. CJSI is a coalition of industry institutes and associations representing individuals and companies that design, fabricate, construct or maintain concrete structures.

As chair of CJSI, Buffenbarger will leverage her knowledge of concrete to increase educational opportunities and build partnerships highlighting the sustainable, durable, and resilient benefits of concrete design and construction. Buffenbarger is a construction specialist with Lafarge, a fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and LEED AP BD+C accredited. She also serves as chair of the ACI Sustainability of Concrete Technical Committee.

"Concrete is the foundation of resilience," said Buffenbarger. "Concrete provides countless solutions to building green, energy-efficient, durable, and secure buildings and infrastructure in our communities. Through the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative, we work to increase awareness, outreach and education so that the role and charge of concrete in resilient and sustainable development is understood globally."

As vice chair of advocacy, Toscas will advocate influence on public policy, laws and budgets to educate government officials and the public about the role of concrete in sustainable and resilient construction. Toscas is the president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association. Mlutkowski is the director of sustainability and marketing with the American Concrete Institute and LEED AP BD+C accredited. As the vice chair of operations for CJSI, he will oversee day-to-day operations to support the administrative, strategic and educational efforts of the Initiative.