MONTERREY, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Lorenzo Zambrano, who transformed the Mexico-based cement firm
CEMEX from a domestic player into a global powerhouse that is now one
of the world's largest suppliers of building materials, has been
awarded the Stanford Graduate School of Business Excellence in
Leadership Award from the Stanford Business School Alumni Association.

Business School Dean Robert L. Joss presented Zambrano with the
award during a gala dinner held May 15 at the Museo de Arte
Contemporaneo de Monterrey. Zambrano is a member of the museum's board
of directors.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of all our alumni," said Joss.
"It gives me special pleasure to recognize Lorenzo for both his
strategic leadership of CEMEX and his understanding of the importance
of corporate social responsibility in the global communities his
company serves."

Zambrano, who earned a BS in mechanical engineering from
Tecnologico de Monterrey, is a 1968 MBA graduate of the Business
School. He joined CEMEX in 1968 and has been the company's chief
executive since 1985.

During Zambrano's first year as CEO, CEMEX revenues were
approximately $276 million. After the acquisition of two major cement
firms in Spain in 1992, CEMEX expanded its operations throughout Latin
America, the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and
Australia. In 2005, the company boosted its international market
presence further with the purchase of UK-based cement maker RMC Group,
and in 2007 CEMEX completed the acquisition of Australia-based Rinker,
its largest ever.

Today CEMEX produces, distributes, and markets cement, ready-mix
concrete, aggregates, and related building materials to more than 50
countries. The Mexican firm is one of the world's largest building
materials suppliers and the third largest cement producer. Last year's
revenues topped $21.7 billion.

Leader in Promoting Environmental and Social Programs

In addition to shepherding the company's evolution from a regional
supplier to a global leader, Zambrano has dedicated significant
company resources to initiatives that preserve and support communities
in which the firm operates. He made conservation a priority by helping
to establish El Carmen, a wilderness preserve located near the
Mexico-U.S. border that is home to deserts, grasslands, forest, and
other biologically diverse ecosystems. "As a result of the solid
working relationships that we helped to build, the unspoiled area of
El Carmen was designated the first wilderness area in Latin America,"
Zambrano said about the preserve, considered a global hotspot for
biodiversity protection, habitat restoration, and wildlife management
programs. "We greatly appreciate the cooperation and strong
partnerships that we have developed with nongovernmental
organizations, governments, universities, and private landowners to
help protect this unique ecosystem for present and future
generations."

In addition to CEMEX's efforts, Zambrano has also encouraged the
development of social programs to benefit the communities in which it
operates. Patrimonio Hoy, a highly regarded sales, distribution, and
savings program intended to serve Mexico's large self-construction
housing market, has benefited close to 200,000 families since its
beginnings in 1998, helping them to improve their homes while helping
fulfill Mexico's housing needs while creating value for the company.

Zambrano has successfully balanced the interests of different
stakeholder groups while promoting CEMEX's environmental stewardship
initiatives on a global scale. As a member of the World Business
Council for Sustainable Development and a leading participant in the
Cement Sustainability Initiative, CEMEX has been a pioneer in
exploring ways for the cement industry to meet the demands of today
without compromising the needs of future generations.

"For CEMEX, sustainability means continually increasing our
competitiveness and conducting our operations with the least possible
impacts, while reaching out to our stakeholders to foster positive
long-term relationships. Our sustainability strategy is to run a
highly efficient and profitable business that ensures the safety and
well-being of employees, protects the environment, and contributes to
the development of our communities. Balancing the needs of all our
critical audiences, including our employees and the communities in
which we serve, is key to ensuring the ongoing success of our
business," Zambrano said.

Active in Advancing Education Initiatives

Zambrano also has been a long-time champion of education. He is
chairman of the board of Mexico's largest private university,
Tecnologico de Monterrey, which has 33 campuses in Mexico and
international offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. He also
served for more than 10 years on the Stanford Graduate School of
Business Advisory Council.

Zambrano is a member of the IBM Board of Directors, the Citigroup
International Advisory Board, and the boards of some leading Mexican
companies, including financial services group Grupo Financiero
Banamex, soft drink bottler Femsa, and Spanish-language media company
Televisa.

He has received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate
Citizenship, the Americas Society's Gold Medal for Distinguished
Service, and the 1998 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award for Managerial
Excellence from the Stanford Business School Alumni Association.

Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business