The Can Manufacturers Institute will get a new leader next month, upon President Robert Budway’s retirement after nearly 40 years with the association. Scott Breen, currently CMI’s senior vice president of sustainability, will take over the role.
Breen will assume his new position June 9. He joined CMI in 2019 and “has facilitated several new initiatives to advance the metal can industry’s sustainability performance,” according to a news release. These initiatives include advocacy for federal and state legislation, advancing regulation that reflects the metal can’s sustainability advantages and working to develop CMI’s recycling primer and roadmap.
“CMI’s bright future will be built around the collaboration of our talented members, staff, and partners to advance smart policy that furthers our industry’s growth into the future,” Breen said in a statement.
Previously, Breen had been associate manager of the Sustainability and Circular Economy Program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and an attorney-adviser at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also currently serves as board chair at The Recycling Partnership.
Budway has been with CMI since 1986. He became president in 1995 and has since grown CMI’s membership, according to the news release. Budway also oversaw the association’s public policy and communications, especially for sustainability, trade and regulation. For instance, he has played a prominent role in bringing attention to the effects of tariffs on can makers and the metals trade the last several months.
Previously, Budway was a staffer on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. He will remain on CMI’s staff until the end of this year to advise Breen on his transition.
“I will always cherish my work in this historic and distinguished U.S. manufacturing sector. I want to thank the dedicated CMI staff and our very dedicated members who make our industry a vital and essential leader in the food and beverage sector,” Budway said in a statement.
