Diane Perry Joins Dragon Cement and Concrete as Director of Purchasing

Diane Perry has been appointed Director of Purchasing at Dragon Cement and Concrete, Maine's largest concrete supplier and New England's only cement manufacturer. She will manage purchasing and stores at Dragon's Thomaston plant, which produces approximately 450,000 metric tons of cement each year.

Perry has more than eight years of purchasing experience, most recently as a senior buyer in the stadium seating division at Hussey Seating Company in North Berwick, Maine. She began her career at Great Northern Paper, Inc. in Millinocket, Maine, where she procured $40 million in commodities annually for the major paper manufacturer.

"Diane is a highly experienced, versatile logistics professional," said Joseph M. Koch III, president of Dragon Cement and Concrete. "She's a proven performer in large scale operations. We're excited that she has joined us and anticipate a real benefit to the company from her skills."

Perry, a resident of Sanford, received an MBA from the University of Maine School of Business in 2000 and an undergraduate degree from Husson College in Bangor in 1993. Originally from Milo, Maine, Perry is a 1975 graduate of Penquis Valley High School.

Founded in 1928, Dragon Cement and Concrete supplies "portland" cement from its plant in Thomaston to most ready-mix companies in the state and others throughout New England by barge through Coastal Cement terminals in Newington, N.H. and Boston. The cement produced in Thomaston is mined from its limestone quarry on the company's familiar site on coastal Route 1.

Dragon also has more than 10 concrete plants located throughout the state in Biddeford, Portland, Brunswick, Lewiston, Augusta, Fairfield, Canton, Farmington, Madawaska and Presque Isle. Dragon concrete, which is a blend of cement, sand, stone and water, is used throughout Maine in buildings, bridges, pavement, roads and many precast products.

Headquartered at 38 Preble St. in Portland, Dragon employs more than 250 people in Maine. Dragon recently received the Governor's Award for Waste Reduction for two environmental initiatives at the Thomaston plant. The company also has received numerous safety awards in the past three years.

For more information, visit Dragon online at www.dragonproducts.com.
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