Astec CEO role to pass to second generation

Benjamin G. Brock has been named as the CEO and president of Astec Industries, taking over from his father and company founder Dr J. Don Brock. As part of the succession plan, current CEO Dr Brock will become the company’s executive chairman, a role from which he “Will continue to lead the company.” In addition, Richard Dorris has been designated COO and executive vice president of the company, taking over from W. Norman Smith, who will move to the role of vice-chairman of the Board.

Astec said it had not set a final date for the implementation of its succession plan, which will also see the appointment of new executive officers. However, it said the changes were likely to take place this year.

Commenting on the succession plan, Dr Brock said, “ In august 2012 I completed my 40^th year of leading Astec Industries Inc… I am continuing to work as my health permits. Personally, I hope to mentor Ben and Rick for the foreseeable future and look forward to their active role in managing and running our company.”

Dr Brock founded Astec Industries in 1972. He has been president and CEO since the company began and chairman of the Board since 1975. Benjamin Brock has worked for Astec for over 20 years. He has served as group vice president of its asphalt businesses since August 2012 and as a president of Astec (the company’s asphalt batch plant business) since 2006.

Astec Industries owns more than a dozen individual brands in the asphalt, road building, aggregates and underground construction businesses. These include Astec and Dillman batching plants, Roadtec road building equipment and the Telsmith and Kolberg Pioneer names in the crushing and screening sector among others.