Agenda

Levent Ozdemir spent 32 years as a Professor of Mining and the Director of Earth Mechanics Institute at the Colorado School of Mines where he developed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in tunnel design and construction, mechanized rock and soil excavations, geotechnical site investigations and underground mining. He also conducted and directed pioneering research in various aspects of mechanical tunneling. He currently serves as a consultant to the tunneling industry.

Nadav is a Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer with over 15 years of experience in geotechnical investigations, engineering design,  project and construction management around the world.  This includes design, and construction for infrastructure projects such as underground hydroelectric power plants under high stress, light rail transportation tunnels in shallow urban environments, high pressure water conveyance tunnels, dam related inlet/outlet tunnels, and more. 

Ike, our Tunnel Sector Leader, is a true renaissance man. He is licensed as a professional engineer and a professional geologist, in addition to being a licensed aircraft pilot. His interdisciplinary knowledge of engineering and geology, experience as a consultant, owner’s representative, and tunnel contractor is truly unique. Ike’s tunnel experience includes design review, constructability, grouting, ground improvement, ground freezing, geotechnical instrumentation, rehabilitation, construction logistics, hyperbaric interventions, ground loss mapping and remediation. Mr. Isaacson’s broad knowledge, skill sets, experiences, and keen multi-perspective insight provide him with a well-rounded, pragmatic approach that promotes project success.

Bob Goodfellow is President of Aldea Services Inc. He is a licensed professional engineer in more than a dozen states. Goodfellow has more than 25 years of experience in the tunneling industry and he currently serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee for the Underground Construction Association (UCA of SME). He is co-author of the U.S. tunnel industry guidelines for risk management on tunnel projects.

Matt Koziol is a Senior Engineer at Schnabel. He has extensive experience and expertise in design, construction management, observation, and monitoring for tunnels, shafts, dams, deep excavations, and other heavy civil construction projects. Matt also leads and conducts project risks management services across the company. He has wide-ranging experience facilitating risk management workshops and performing risk analyses including qualitative, quantitative cost and schedule, decisions making, and alternatives assessment. The process helps to protect project objectives and ultimately deliver a successful project and product. Matt also leads the business development efforts for the tunnel engineering services group in Texas. He is constantly searching for new connections and to grow the Schnabel brand in Texas.

Don Del Nero, PE, CDT is Vice President and a Tunnel Engineering Director for WSP. He holds a minor in geology, BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Geotechnical Engineering, and has 33 years of experience in tunnel and trenchless design and construction. Along with being an instructor for the Microtunneling Short Course,  he is an instructor for the NASTT New Installation Course, Breakthroughs in Tunneling Short-course, and Risk Management in Underground Construction short-course. He had the honor of Chairing the 2018 No-Dig Show, has authored over 40 industry papers and a subchapter on means and methods in the book, “Trenchless Technology: Planning, Equipment, and Methods” by Mohammad Najafi.

Mr. Nicholas has spent 40 years in the oil, heavy infrastructure and tunneling industries with a geological background and extensive engineering experience. He specializes in Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) engineering and operation both on the contractor and consultant side giving him an understanding of all the elements it takes to effectively construct and operate tunnel boring machines on various tunnel projects. Paul is a recognized expert in microtunneling, pipe jacking and trenchless technology, he has been entrenched in the design, manufacturing, and/or commissioning of tunnel boring machines. He has extensive experience in various types of ground for tunneling works from open shields to EPB, slurry, and rock TBM’s supplied to transportation and water projects worldwide. Paul was recently a project Manager on metro tunnels in India.

Paul a recognized specialist in tunneling equipment, TBM;s, microtunneling, pipe jacking, and trenchless technology. His international experience and knowledge give him a wide range of experience of overseas working conditions of tunnel construction he has a geological background working with tunneling equipment manufacturers in analyzing the ground conditions and recommending means and methods and completing constructability and risk assessments for tunnel construction.

David J. Hatem is nationally recognized for his expertise in representing engineers, architects and construction management professionals. He has been practicing law for approximately 40 years and has served as ACEC/MA Counsel since 1988. Hatem teaches Legal Aspects of Engineering at Tufts University and Legal Aspects of Civil Engineering at Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering, and has received awards from the Engineering Center Education Trust 2016 and ACEC.

Mr. Kumar Bhattarai PE PEng CEng is a Principal Engineer and Central Division Leader for National Tunnel Practice in HNTB Corporation. He has over 25 years of experience in delivering tunnel projects in the US, Canada, Russia, and the Far East, and has master’s degree in Geotechnical and Tunnel Engineering from the University of Hong Kong. Mr. Bhattarai’s experience includes the $ 3.0 billion ($US) Washington Dulles International Airport Automated People Mover Tunnel System and the C$2 billion Canada Line Rapid Transit P-3 Project in Vancouver, Canada. He is currently registered as a professional engineer in California, Texas, Washington, British Columbia, Ontario, and a Chartered Engineer in the UK.

Dr. Brierley has more than 50 years of experience with both the technical and nontechnical aspects of underground engineering and construction management. Beginning as a project manager in 1970, he has worked on more than 1,000 projects involving all types of underground design and construction including soil and rock engineering, building foundations, braced excavations, ground improvement and slope stability for owners, contractors, engineers, public agencies, and attorneys.

Erika P. Moonin, P.E., D.WRE, is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Nevada and California. She graduated from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating, Moonin started her career working a few years for an engineering consulting firm and then approximately 25 years for the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).

She was the SNWA’s project manager responsible for managing the planning, design and construction of the Lake Mead Intake No. 3 projects totaling more than $1.4 billion, thus ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the greater Las Vegas community into the future.

Dr. Brierley has more than 50 years of experience with both the technical and nontechnical aspects of underground engineering and construction management. Beginning as a project manager in 1970, he has worked on more than 1,000 projects involving all types of underground design and construction including soil and rock engineering, building foundations, braced excavations, ground improvement and slope stability for owners, contractors, engineers, public agencies, and attorneys.

David J. Hatem is nationally recognized for his expertise in representing engineers, architects and construction management professionals. He has been practicing law for approximately 40 years and has served as ACEC/MA Counsel since 1988. Hatem teaches Legal Aspects of Engineering at Tufts University and Legal Aspects of Civil Engineering at Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering, and has received awards from the Engineering Center Education Trust 2016 and ACEC.

Jimmy McGauley is an experienced Project Manager in the heavy civil, and underground construction industry. He has over a decade of experience encompassing hard rock and soft ground tunnel construction, precast concrete segmentally lined tunnels, deep shaft conveyance, drill and blast excavation and concrete works, large diameter cut and cover water transmission piping and time sensitive tie ins, and working in remote areas through harsh winter conditions. Jimmy has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and currently resides in Bozeman, Montana pursuing the next underground construction project with Barnard Construction.

Sotirios Vardakos, PE, PhD, is national tunnel practice consultant and associate vice president at HNTB. In this role, he will focus on expanding HNTB’s tunneling business in the Central Texas region, and nationally, as one of the key technical resources to our transportation and infrastructure clients across the U.S. Vardakos brings more than 20 years of geotechnical, tunnel engineering and research experience. He has been involved in various projects ranging from bored tunnels by tunnel boring machine, mined tunnels and caverns by sequential excavation method, cut and cover structures, and other complex underground structures for major transportation, water and wastewater tunnel, and marine projects.

Nasri Munfah, as the Director of the Tunneling Practice is a senior executive of the firm’s leadership team. He is responsible for developing and implementing long term profitable strategic growth plan to advance the firm’s tunneling practice. He oversees the firm’s tunneling and underground projects and he provides leadership in project pursuit and delivery, development of innovative solutions, marketing, recruitment and professional development of staff.

Todd Mayo is a Principal of Capital Project Management, Inc., an independent consulting firm that specializes in the analysis, resolution, and prevention of complex construction disputes.

Todd has nearly 25 years of experience in the construction industry including expert testimony, management positions on megaprojects and as an executive at a large union trade subcontractor. His experience spans numerous sectors including high-rise, rail, highway, bridge, tunnel, residential and interiors construction. He has substantial experience in construction management, contract and commercial management, operations, and scheduling, as well as claims and disputes for troubled projects on behalf of both owners and contractors. He is involved in a number of industry organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Construction Management Association of America. Todd is a lecturer and advisor for Columbia University’s Master of Science in Construction Administration program.

Nicholas J. Zaita, a partner in Peckar & Abramson’s New Jersey office, focuses on construction law and commercial business disputes.  Nick has over a decade of litigation experience, representing heavy-highway construction contractors, specialty subcontractors, and engineering firms in state and federal courts in New York and New Jersey.  He has consistently helped clients achieve successful results, whether through private mediation, arbitration

Steve Weber is a partner in Peckar & Abramson’s Washington D.C. office and co-chair of Peckar & Abramson’s Government Contracting & Infrastructure practice, leading the firm’s federal government contracting efforts. He has 35+ years of experience representing domestic and international contractors in a wide range of construction litigation and governmental contract matters in and outside the U.S.

Robert Smith is a partner at Akerman, LLP, a law firm with an international construction practice. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, in Wisconsin. His professional practice focuses on dispute boards and arbitration panels on large civil projects, construction and contractual risk identification, assessment and management.

James D. Smith, P.E. has spent the past 42 years immersed in the tunneling and heavy civil construction industry, working in both design and construction management on a wide variety of projects including major CSO programs, transit systems, hydroelectric facilities, water supply tunnels, and other sewer tunnels and pipeline projects. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant to Schnabel Engineering. His experience with Disputes Review Boards began nearly 30 years ago and has included preparing contract language, assembling boards, presenting as an expert witness during hearings, and for the past eight years serving on and chairing DRB’s in the U.S. and Canada.

Matt Swinton is the District Manager of Underground district at Kiewit Corporation. Matt currently has oversight responsibility for all of Kiewit Underground’s activities in North America. Matt started with Kiewit in 1998 as an intern, then full time in 1999 as an engineer-estimator for Underground District. Matt was next a field engineer on the Chattahoochee Tunnel project in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. From this position, over the next four years Matt worked his way up to becoming an office engineer, project engineer, superintendent and a job superintendent, all on the Chattahoochee project. Matt continued as a job superintendent and project manager for several projects before becoming a sponsor for Underground District in 2008, an area manager in 2011 and District Manager of the same district in late 2014.

Steve Ellis joined Kiewit in September 1989 in his current position of Attorney in the Home Office Legal Department.  Steve received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University in 1982.  He is a professional engineer.  He worked for 7 years as a field engineer and design engineer for the federal government.  During the last 3 years of that 7 year period he worked part time as an engineer while obtaining his law degree from the University of Utah in 1989 with an emphasis on getting done.

Mr. Eghtesadi is currently Senior Project Manager at Sixense Canada, with education in Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. He is licensed as a professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. He has over 14 years of experience in Project Management, Instrumentation Monitoring and Geotechnical Engineering of Infrastructure projects involving planning, design and construction. He specializes in developing instrumentation and monitoring design reports, and executing monitoring work plans. The hand-on-experience from working on both consultant and contractor sides gave him a great understanding of different project requirements. He is knowledgeable in geotechnical engineering, various geotechnical/ structural/environmental instrumentation applications and automated data acquisition and management systems.

Phil Bowles is a Commercial Risk Advisor at Knight Insurance specializing in helping engineering and construction firms navigate challenges in operational and contractual risk. Focusing on financial leakage evaluations, insurance contracts and risk transfer agreements, Phil uses his experience to help clients improve jobsite efficiency and safety, as well as increase profit margins and shareholder value.

Erika P. Moonin, P.E., D.WRE, is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Nevada and California. She graduated from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating, Moonin started her career working a few years for an engineering consulting firm and then approximately 25 years for the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).

She was the SNWA’s project manager responsible for managing the planning, design and construction of the Lake Mead Intake No. 3 projects totaling more than $1.4 billion, thus ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the greater Las Vegas community into the future.

Matthew Preedy has been delivering highway and transit Public Works projects in the Puget Sound region for over 30 years. Currently, he heads the Construction Management Division of Sound Transit, involved in delivering multiple light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit projects exceeding $65B across all phases. Mr. Preedy earned his BSCE from the University of Washington, is a Registered Civil Engineer in Washington State, and has served several years on the UCA of SME Executive Committee and the NAT Conference Organizing Committee. He believes that collaboration and engagement with industry is critical to the success of the business, engaging with DBIA, CMAA and ASCE as well as co-chairing a best-practices committee between Sound Transit and the AGC of Washington.

Kim Wilson is an engineering manager for Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She oversees the engineering team for the multi-billion dollar Pure Water Southern California program and is the program lead for conveyance and recharge. At full build-out, the Pure Water Southern California program will treat and convey approximately 150 million gallons per day of purified water over 60 miles through large diameter pipeline to recharge regional groundwater basins, satisfy industrial demands that currently rely on imported water, and augment existing water supplies at Metropolitan’s water treatment plants through direct potable reuse. She also led Metropolitan’s technical control team responsible for engineering standards, value engineering, and risk management programs. She is a professional civil engineer in California with engineering degrees from Cornell University and Stanford University.