P+Ex Taps Veteran Leader to Cement a Sustainable Future for Concrete

COLUMBIA, Md. – May 18, 2026 – The Center of Excellence for Concrete Preservation and Service Life Extension (P+Ex) has appointed Dr. Lesley Ko, a distinguished leader with over three decades of experience in the construction industry, as its new Executive Director. The move signals a strategic acceleration of the nonprofit's mission to embed sustainability into the heart of the global built environment by championing the preservation of concrete structures.

Ko, who has been serving as the organization's Acting Executive Director, will now permanently take the helm. Her appointment comes at a critical juncture for the construction industry, which faces mounting pressure to address its significant environmental footprint. P+Ex aims to lead this transformation by shifting the paradigm from a cycle of demolition and replacement to one of maintenance, preservation, and life extension.

"Lesley is a champion for P+Ex and has supported the launch of the organization demonstrating her passion for our mission as the Acting Executive Director," said Peter Emmons, co-founder of P+Ex. "We are confident that under her direction, the organization will continue to grow and thrive, driving a more sustainable future."

A Strategic Appointment for a Critical Mission

Lesley Ko is not simply an administrator; she is a deeply technical expert poised to guide P+Ex through a complex industrial landscape. With a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zurich), her career is marked by a deep-seated focus on materials science and sustainable innovation. Before her leadership role at P+Ex, Ko was a Subject Matter Expert in Cementitious & Sustainable Materials at Structural Technologies, the largest concrete repair and maintenance provider in the United States. Her professional history also includes leadership positions in product development and novel cements at industry giants like Master Builders Solutions and Holcim Technology Ltd.

This extensive background provides her with a unique, holistic view of the concrete lifecycle, from chemical formulation to real-world application and repair. Her work has involved pioneering technologies that extend material lifecycles and developing multiple patents, underscoring a career dedicated to innovation and environmental stewardship. Her appointment is a clear indicator that P+Ex is prioritizing technical credibility and deep industry knowledge as it executes its strategic plan.

Furthermore, Ko's influence extends across the industry's most important governing and advisory bodies. She is an active member and leader in numerous committees within the American Concrete Institute (ACI), ASTM International, and the European RILEM technical committee. This extensive network and active participation in shaping industry standards position her, and by extension P+Ex, as a central and influential voice in conversations about material science, alternative cements, and the future of construction.

The Environmental Imperative of Concrete Preservation

The work that P+Ex has tasked itself with is monumental. Concrete is the most consumed material on the planet after water, forming the literal foundation of modern society. However, its production comes at a steep environmental cost. The manufacturing of Portland cement, the key binding agent in concrete, is responsible for an estimated 4-8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The process is also highly resource-intensive, requiring vast amounts of energy, water, and raw materials.

For decades, the default solution for aging infrastructure has often been demolition and replacement, a practice that not only incurs massive financial costs but also perpetuates a linear, wasteful economic model. Every time a concrete structure is torn down, the embodied carbon and energy used to create it are lost, and the cycle of extraction, production, and emission begins anew.

This is where P+Ex's mission becomes a critical climate strategy. By advocating for and advancing the science of concrete preservation, the organization champions a move toward a circular economy. Extending the service life of a bridge, building, or dam through proactive maintenance and advanced repair techniques avoids the immense environmental impact of new construction. It conserves energy, saves water, reduces the demand for virgin materials, and prevents tons of demolition waste from entering landfills. This approach redefines sustainability in construction, proving that the greenest structure is often the one that already exists.

Navigating a Wave of Industry Innovation

Dr. Ko takes leadership at a time of unprecedented innovation within the concrete sector. The field is rapidly evolving beyond simple patch-and-repair methods, embracing advanced science and technology to create more durable and intelligent infrastructure. P+Ex is positioned to be a key curator and promoter of these groundbreaking trends.

One of the most promising frontiers is the development of advanced materials. Researchers and companies are making significant strides in low-carbon binders and alternative cements, such as geopolymers, that can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of repair mortars and new concrete alike. Another area of intense research is "self-healing concrete," which incorporates encapsulated agents that can autonomously seal micro-cracks as they form, drastically reducing long-term maintenance needs and extending a structure's lifespan.

Technology is also transforming how infrastructure is managed. The use of drones and laser scanning for detailed damage assessments allows for more precise and efficient repair strategies. Meanwhile, the integration of fiber-optic sensors is creating "smart concrete" that can monitor its own structural health, detecting stress, moisture, and corrosion in real-time. This data enables predictive maintenance, allowing asset owners to intervene before minor issues become catastrophic failures. P+Ex's role will be to help vet, validate, and educate the industry on these technologies, ensuring they are deployed effectively to maximize durability and sustainability.

Forging Alliances for a Resilient Future

No single organization can transform an industry as vast as construction. The core of P+Ex's strategy, as highlighted in its mission, is collaboration. The organization serves as a vital hub, bringing together industry leaders, academic researchers, educators, and practitioners who might otherwise work in silos. By fostering a pre-competitive environment for knowledge sharing, P+Ex can accelerate the adoption of best practices.

This collaborative ethos is already in action through partnerships like the one established with the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure. Under Ko's leadership, with her extensive network spanning corporate R&D, standards committees, and academic circles, these alliances are expected to deepen and expand.

The ultimate goal is to create a unified front for change. By educating policymakers on the economic and environmental benefits of preservation, providing engineers with the latest tools and research, and driving global awareness, P+Ex is working to build a future where infrastructure is not only built to last but is also maintained for generations. This stewardship is the foundation of a truly resilient and sustainable built environment.