Mr. Zhang, aged 67, the founder of the Group, is currently the Chairman and executive Director of the Company. He is responsible mainly for the Group’s overall strategic planning and investment decisions. Mr. Zhang is also a director of a number of the Group’s subsidiaries including West China BVI, Shaanxi Yaobai, Lantian Yaobai, Ankang Yaobai, Xiushan Yaobai, Xian Yaobai and Longqiao Yaobai.
Mr. Zhang has more than 28 years of experience in the cement industry. He was the factory manager of the Shaanxi Province Pucheng County Hanjing Town Second Cement Factory (one of the predecessors of the production facility in Pucheng) from 1985 to December 1990 and the manager of the Pucheng County Hanjing Town Cement Factory (another predecessor of the production facility in Pucheng) thereafter. These two small cement facilities represent the origins of West China Cement, demonstrating the growth of the Group under the management of Mr. Zhang.
Mr. Zhang has actively participated in various cement technology development projects and from 1992 to 1994 , he led the development of low heat slag cement and moderate-heat Portland cement, winning the Second Grade Science and Technology Progress Prize issued by the Government of Shaanxi Province.
Mr. Zhang also holds several industry associations and political positions. He is the Chairman of the Shaanxi Province Cement Association, an industry association jointly established by The Raw Materials Division of The Industry and Information Technology Department of Shaanxi Province and various cement production enterprises in Shaanxi, holding this position since December 2009. As the Chairman of the Shaanxi Province Cement Association, Mr. Zhang promotes information exchange between cement enterprises in Shaanxi, leading the association to formulate a self-regulatory regime, maintaining fair market competition, providing technology and human resources and assisting the Shaanxi Government in regulating the cement industry in Shaanxi Province. Mr. Zhang was also a Xi’an City representative of the 11th Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress and participated in the plenary sessions of the 11th Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress for discussion and approval of various matters in relation to the political and economical development of Shaanxi Province. Mr. Zhang was also the Vice President of the China Cement Association.
Through these social positions, Mr. Zhang is able to maintain close contact with industry partners and local government so as to keep abreast of the latest development of the cement industry and government policies. Mr. Zhang received professional training in economic management from Peking University in July 2001.