On April 7, El Paso-based WestStar announced the appointment of Enrique Escalante as an advisory director on its board of directors. With an extensive background in executive leadership, corporate strategy and international business, he brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.
Escalante currently serves as chief executive officer of GCC, a leading supplier of cement and concrete, for which he has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and expansion. Since joining GCC in 1999, he has held several senior leadership positions, including president of the company’s Mexico and U.S. divisions before being appointed CEO in 2015.
His distinguished career spans multiple industries, having held executive leadership roles in the wood products sector, finance, planning, sales and marketing. Escalante previously served as CEO of Plywood Ponderosa de México SA de CV and later as president of the Ponderosa Division at Grupo Industrial Durango SA de CV. He has also served as chair of the Portland Cement Association in the U.S. and of the board of the Rocky Mountain chapter of Young Presidents Organization in Colorado.
In addition to his role at GCC, Escalante serves on the boards of the Global Cement and Concrete Association, Duraplay de Parral and Banamex (Consejo Regional del Norte). He holds a degree in industrial and systems engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and an MBA from Cornell University, with additional executive education from IPADE (the business school at Pan-American University) and Harvard University.
“Enrique’s leadership experience, international perspective and proven ability to navigate complex business environments make him an exceptional addition to our board,” says L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, executive chair of WestStar. “We look forward to the insight and guidance he will bring as we continue strengthening our role as the leading financial partner in the Borderplex region.”
Established in 1990, WestStar serves the Borderplex region, which includes El Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Juárez, Mexico.