Judges
Zaw Zaw Aye
Thailand
Mr. Zaw Zaw Aye is currently working as an Executive Vice President in SEAFCO PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED, Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Zaw Zaw Aye is also a Managing Director of Seafco (Myanmar) Co., Ltd. in Myanmar.
He has over 30 years of extensive experience in technical and management role in design, supervision and construction of deep excavations, deep foundations and tunneling projects. He is an active member of American Society of Civil Engineers and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Mr. Zaw Zaw Aye is well-recognized alumnus of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) where he obtained his Master’s Degree from Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering in 1991. Mr. Zaw Zaw Aye authored over 60 international publications.
His papers are well-cited by various researchers including those of researchers of world-class universities. He is a Vice Chairman of Tunnelling and Underground Space Committee (MTUSC) of Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies. He is also an Advisor in Thailand Underground Space and Tunelling Group of Engineering Institute of Thailand.
Mr. Zaw Zaw Aye was a Secretary General in organizing ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2012 (WTC2012) in Bangkok. He was a speaker in ITA endorsed seminars and training courses organized by ITACET Foundation.
Massimiliano Bringiotti
Italy
Dr. Ing. Ak. Massimiliano Bringiotti, born in Genoa, Italy, 07/07/1966. Degree in Mechanical Engineer (Genoa University), Post graduate master in Mechanized Tunnelling (Corep, Turin), Academic in the Moscow Mining Institute, Drill & Blast patent, Writer of hundreds of technical articles and 8 Books - www.edizionipei.it.
Job sites experiences all over in Italy plus Algeria, Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Marocco, Singapore, Malaysia.
SIG Vice President since more than 10 years, WTC 2019 Neapoli Exhibition Organizer Responsible. Owner of GeoTunnel Srl, since 2 generations more than 30 years, which is distributing tunnelling equipment, plants and materials plus underground expertise and consultant - www.geotunnel.it Shareholder in Robodrill SA (jumbos and bolter Manufacturer - www.robodrill-sa.com), Maplad Srl (Producer of fiberglass tunnel consolidation materials - www.maplad.it), Imgeco Srl (Engineering ventilation CFD, www.imgeco.com) and Cipa SpA (tunnelling construction Company - www.cipaspa.it)
Elena Chiriotti
France
Jens Classen
Germany
Jens Classen is an experienced Senior Project Manager and TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) Consultant with a strong background in civil engineering and tunneling projects. He has an impressive track record of working on various tunneling projects worldwide and has held key roles in major construction companies.
He is currently employed as a Senior Project Manager at Implenia Construction GmbH, focusing on the Consorzio Dolomiti Brenner Base Tunnel Southern Access Route in Bolzano, Italy.
Jens Classen has extensive experience as an Independent TBM Consultant, providing worldwide consulting services for TBM drives in both tunneling and mining projects. He has been involved in several high-profile projects, offering expertise in TBM suitability, safety, and optimization.
In addition to his project management roles, Jens Classen has provided external consulting services for various projects, including serving as an expert witness for legal cases and offering consultancy on TBM drives and tunneling optimization.
He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Swiss Tunnelling Society, Italian Tunnelling Society, Canadian Tunnelling Society, and International Tunnelling Organization (ITA), where he holds a Vice-Chair position in the ITAtech Steering Board and is a member of Working Group No.17 "Long Tunnels at Great Depths."
Antonia Cornaro
Switzerland
Antonia Cornaro, MA Urban Planning (NYU), has 25 years of experience as an urban and transport planner across the public and private sectors in New York City, London, Vienna, and Zurich. She has worked with the NYC Department of City Planning, Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), the Austrian Institute of Regional Planning (ÖIR), and Zurich-based EBP.
Currently, as Expert Underground Space at Amberg Engineering, a leading Swiss firm in underground infrastructure, she focuses on enhancing urban mobility, livability, and resilience through underground space planning. She also serves as Chair of ITACUS, the International Tunnel and Underground Space Association’s Committee on Underground Space.
Antonia is passionate about sustainable cities and has published and presented extensively on the topic. She co-authored Underground Spaces Unveiled: Planning and Creating the Cities of the Future (ICE, 2018), which received the ISOCARP Gerd Albers Award for best book. She also teaches Planning of Underground Space at ETH Zurich, a master's course in architecture, spatial development, and civil engineering.
Benoit de Rivaz
Belgium
Laurence Delplace
Belgium
More than 15 years of experience in the design of major underground transport infrastructures. A solution and decision-oriented professional with MBA and a proven track record in General Management, Business Development and Project Management. Used to work in highly interfaced and multidisciplinary environments with many different stakeholders. An enthusiastic and positive character with a strong competitive spirit.
Ready for the next challenge!
EXPERTISE
Design of complex and interdisciplinary
Soft soil Tunnelling
TBM Tunnelling (Animator ITA WG 14)
Metro Tunnelling
Project Management
Quality Management (auditor)
COMPETENCIES
Leadership of small to middle-sized teams infrastructure projects
Trust and motivation building
Multidisciplinary team player and network driver
Experienced public speaker
Negotiation and contract management
Skilled multicultural communication
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills
Georges Demetri
United Kingdom
George Demetri AMICE is editor of Tunnels & Tunnelling International.
He has qualifications in architecture, philosophy and building conservation, and has gained much experience in architectural practice, construction, marketing/PR and construction/tunnelling journalism.
George was editor of World Tunnelling between 2006-2013 and has been judging the IBP National Journalism Awards since 2013.
Ross Dimmock
Finland
Ross has over 35 years’ of tunnelling experience primarily relating to the design and construction of permanent sprayed concrete linings for urban underground infrastructure projects. Over the last 13 years he has been with the Finnish company Normet, and currently is the Vice President for their Tunnelling business, having a focus on steering the tunnelling industry towards more sustainable solutions.
Through leading roles and exposure to the many facets of the international tunnelling industry, Ross has acquired a valuable, well-rounded “End to end” perspective of this challenging industry. He fully appreciates the technical demands of modern tunnel projects, and the need to establish a healthy balance between risk management and value engineering activities to determine the best outcomes.
Ross actively contributes to numerous industry standards and best practice guidelines on its further development and related technologies, with his recent focus on sustainable tunnelling. Ross is the chairman of the ITAtech Activity Group focused on new technologies for tunnel waterproofing and more efficient lining design. He also is a Steering Group Member for the newly formed SubSpace Energy Hub based in Switzerland, focusing on low carbon tunnelling and underground green energy storage.
Conrad Felice
United States of America
Dr. Conrad W. Felice is a distinguished geotechnical and geostructural engineer with over 40 years of expertise in infrastructure projects worldwide. As a registered professional engineer in 17 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, he has played a pivotal role in tunnels, bridges, dams, marine systems, and energy infrastructure. Currently, he serves as the Geotechnical Design Manager and Owners Representative for Washington State’s $3 billion I-405 Corridor and 509 Gateway Programs.
A former CEO and President of global engineering firms, Conrad is also the Managing Principal at C. W. Felice, LLC, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida. His leadership extends to high-profile projects, including the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in India, nuclear waste disposal at Hanford, and seismic resilience efforts at the Savannah River Nuclear Facility. His expertise in dynamic structural analysis has earned him advisory roles, including as a tunnel expert for Caltrans.
A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Conrad has served in national security projects and led critical post-disaster assessments, such as the Wenchuan earthquake response in China. With over 70 published works, he continues to shape geotechnical engineering and infrastructure resilience globally.
Brad Grothen
United States of America
Brad Grothen, P.E. has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science Engineering. Grothen is based in Robbins’ Kent, Washington office and has specialized in custom industrial and construction equipment for over 25 years in a variety of roles, including mechanical and electrical design and project management.
In his time at Robbins he has worked in a variety of roles within the company and is currently Robbins VP of Engineering. This role includes leading overall product design and working directly with clients to present current technologies and develop new solutions for projects.
He is active in both international and domestic tunnelling organizations, contributing and leading working groups focused in Mechanized Tunnelling, Long and Deep Tunnels, and consumables.
Subodh Kumar Gupta
India
Sh. S. K. Gupta graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and recipient of the ‘University Medal’ for standing first in all branches of Engineering. He did Masters in Structural Dynamics from IIT/Roorkee.
He is an ex. Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer with 33 years of experience. He is presently Director(Projects) in the Mumbai Metro Rail Corp. Ltd, a JV of GoI and GoM to construct urban transport project of Colaba-Bandra-Seepz (Line3).
Colaba- Bandra-Seepz (Line-3), which is also called the ‘Aqua Line’, is a 33.5 km long fully underground metro corridor. It runs in the North-South direction, which is the primary direction of traffic in Mumbai. Line-3 has 26 underground stations and one station At Grade. It connects important originations and destinations and would have influence on 3 million population in Mumbai. It connects main railway stations of Churchgate, CST and Mumbai Central and also connects both the terminals of the airport.
Line-3 would also connect to the Line-1, Line-2, Line-6 and Line-7 of the metro network; and also the monorail. Line-3 stations are being built in the most congested as well as heritage areas in the city, such as Hutatma Chowk, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Dadar and many more. In terms of Dr. Sreedharan, this is the most difficult urban infrastructure project ever undertaking in India.
Mr.Gupta comes with extensive experience of conceptualizing, planning, contracting and implementation of underground as well as elevated modern metro rail networks. He has worked as an Expat on an international metro consultancy project. He is widely travelled within India and abroad.
He recently presented a paper on Mumbai Metro Line-3: the execution strategy for delivering the Aqua line in “the World Tunnel Congress” recently held in Copenhagen.
Jean Habimana
Canada
Mr. Habimana is experienced in a variety of aspects of tunnel engineering for both soft ground and hard rock tunneling. He has worked on design and construction of major projects including tunnels, underground stations, caverns, deep shafts, open-cut, and cut-and-cover excavations. His experience ranges from conceptual design to preparation of engineering final design documents including Geotechnical Baseline Reports, drawings and specifications and providing engineering services during construction.
Mr. Habimana has an extensive experience in static and seismic soil-structure interaction analysis and seismic design of tunnels and underground facilities. He is well versed in numerical modeling and the use of the state-of the art computer tools for geotechnical and tunnel design. He notably managed tunnel design and construction projects, and he is skilled in the coordination of different disciplines, the management of client expectations, and completing projects on time and on budget.
He has participated and managed major projects under traditional, design-build and design-build finance maintain operate delivery methods under different capacities. He has also been involved in tunnel rehabilitations to expand their lifespan and comply with latest codes and best practices.
Samuel Huckle
France
Sam, a civil/mining engineer with a British and Belgian background, specialises in project delivery. Embarking on his journey in the tunnelling industry in 2011, he has developed a multicultural understanding through involvement in multimillion-euro projects across Europe. His diverse roles encompass main works contractor, client's engineer/advisory, and client positions. Currently, Sam is involved in a tunnel tender for Hochtief Infrastructure GmbH.
Within the ITA, Sam has been part of the steering board of the Young Members since 2021, contributing to the development of the YM offering and supporting the association in the background. His representation of the AFTES association reflects his deep appreciation as a self-described Francophile. Within the French association, he serves as an editorial contributor and reviewer for the Tunnels & Espace Souterrain publication and upcoming Technical Recommendations.
In his leisure time, Sam is dedicated to the preservation and reinstatement of the Tunnel d’Yvoir, aiming to revitalise this piece of Belgian civil engineering heritage and its tourism potential
Rop Kiprono
Kenya
Eng. Kiprono D. Rop is a Kenyan citizen with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering and a Master degree in Project Planning and Management. He is currently a Principal Engineer at Athi Water Works Development Agency and a Secretary at the Tunnelling Association of Kenya. He has been actively involved in project formulation and concepts generation for funding, planning, designing, procurement and overall contract management.
Eng Kiprono has a wide range of interest that spans across several spectra associated with Civil Engineering and Project Management with a main bias in Contracts Administration and Project Management in Water Supply Infrastructure capital projects.
Over the past eleven years, his practice has mainly geared towards active Water Supply & Sanitation Design, Construction Supervision and Project Management for these works including supervision of Tunnelling works. Eng Kiprono Spearheaded the formation of the Tunnelling Association of Kenya and the incorporation of Kenya as an ITA Member nation.
Jeyatharan Kumarasamy
Singapore
Experienced geotechnical engineer with over 25 years of working experiences in the tunnelling and underground construction industry focusing on the land transport infrastructures. Working currently as Director (Civil Design) responsible for the design of major rail and road infrastructures at the Land Transport Authority, Singapore. He is a registered Professional Engineer (Civil) in Singapore and skilled in planning, design and construction of underground structures as stated below:
- Planning, design and construction of underground and above ground transport infrastructures
- Geotechnical design of foundations, retaining structures, tunnels, slopes and ground improvements
- Investigation of geotechnical failures/problems and recommendations
- Manage site investigation, lab and field testing and factual investigation reports
- Planning instrumentation and monitoring and interpret of monitoring data
- Prepare Geotechnical Interpretative and Baseline Reports (GIBR)
- Provide construction claim assessments
Recent Professional Contributions:
- Executive council member of International Tunnelling Association (ITA-AITES) (2019 – 2021)
- President of the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Society Singapore (2018 – 2024)
- Immediate Past President of the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Society Singapore (Since 2024)
- Chairman of site investigation technical committee under Singapore Accreditation Council (2014 – 2023)
Wan Kun
China
Vice President of International Business Division of CREC.
Master in Tunnel & Bridge Engineering(2005-2009) - Shijiazhuang Railway University, China.
Bachelor in Civil Engineering for Transportation(1995-1999) - Shijiazhuang Railway University, China.
Technical Title: Professor of Engineering (Civil Works)(Admitted in Dec, 2016, in the Transportation Engineering).
Joe Luxford
Australia
Camilo Marulanda
Colombia
François Renault
France
Bruno Rossi
Brazil
Highly qualified Civil Engineer with a strong academic foundation, complemented by an MBA in Project Management and a postgraduate degree in Geotechnical Engineering.
As Technical Director at Brseal Produtos Especiais since 2015, I have developed specialized expertise in resin injection systems for concrete and soil applications.
My professional portfolio also includes extensive experience in tunnel waterproofing and repair, with a focus on road tunnel, railway tunnel, metro and dam projects.
Mangu Singh
India
Mangu Singh is a distinguished civil engineer and metro rail expert with over four decades of experience in railway and urban transportation infrastructure. A graduate of IIT Roorkee, he has been instrumental in shaping India's metro networks, particularly as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from 2012 to 2022. Under his leadership, Delhi Metro expanded to over 392 km, becoming one of the world’s largest and most efficient metro networks.
A pioneer in tunneling and underground space development, Mangu Singh has overseen the construction of over 200 km of underground metro lines and 70 stations across India. He introduced modern tunneling technologies, revolutionizing metro construction in the country. As President of the Tunnelling Association of India for over 15 years, he played a key role in organizing international tunneling events, including the World Tunnel Congress 2008.
Beyond infrastructure, he championed sustainability initiatives, leading Delhi Metro to earn carbon credits, adopt green building norms, and integrate solar energy. He has received numerous accolades, including the Railway National Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Roorkee. Singh continues to serve as an industry leader, influencing metro systems and sustainable urban mobility worldwide.