Speakers-old

Stephane Ouaki, Head of Unit Connecting Europe Facility - DG Move

Stephane Ouaki is currently head of unit for the Connecting Europe Facility and investment strategies in DG Mobility and Transport. The Connecting Europe Facility is a financial instrument managed by the European Commission for the next Multi-annual Financial Framework to finance infrastructure investments in trans-European networks in transport, energy and ICT.

 

Gilles Peterhans, Secretary General - UIP

Joined Rexwal, in 2003, a Swiss rolling stock leasing company, and was shortly promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer. In 2005, he took over the CEO responsibilities of the newly founded railway undertakings. Recently, Mr. Peterhans focused on originating and executing of private placements and was involved in merger acquisitions transactions. Since January 2013, he acts as Secretary General of UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers.

Dennis Schut, Research Manager - UIC

Dennis Schut is the head of the Research & Innovation Unit of the UIC – the International Union of Railways. He has been member of the Multi-modal ETP Task Force preparing the co-modal Infrastructure Roadmap presented to the European Commission in June 2013 and is currently involved in the South East Europe Alliance for Rail Innovation SEESARI.

 

Hiroyuki Watanabe, Senior Manager - East Japan Railway Company

Works within East Japan Railway Company(JR East) as Senior Manager, Brussels branch. He was involved in the operation management department, R&D center etc. From 2009, he is involved in making the strategy of overseas business. From 2011, he worked in Brussels office. Currently he research the EU railway market and policy (especially technical side).

Peter Sorger, Expert Advisor

Following experience in the implementation and servicing of different IT systems and computers, he joined the ČSD (Czechoslovak State Railway) in the accounting centre for international traffic. Until August 2006 he held various positions in the Business Area of freight transport of ŽSR, later ZSSK Cargo Slovakia. In September 2006 he joined OTIF as a technical expert in the technical section. He retired in July 2014. In October and November 2014 as an individual consultant for United Nations Development Programme, he successfully completed the project “Legal framework for the access to the railway market and safety on railways in Moldova”.

Stefan Eisenbach, International Project Manager – UBIMET

After building up his experience in aviation meteorology, Mr. Eisenbach joined UBIMET in 2004, where he is responsible for meteorological networks (e.g. testing of new sensors) and for all railway sector research and development activities. In addition, Mr. Eisenbach is involved in the implementation of meteorological information systems and the development of alert systems for the Austrian Federal Railways.

Carlo Carganico, CEO of the FS Group subsidiary – ITALCERTIFER

Carlo Carganico has been responsible for safety approval of electronic systems and TSI conformity certification at RFI, Technical Direction Department. Since April 2007 Carlo Carganico is President and CEO of Italcertifer SpA, Notified Body n. 1960 for high speed and conventional lines directives subsystems. Since 2010 the Company is operating in many countries outside of Italy and even Europe, becoming really a global player in the field of “third party assessment” for the railway and metro sector.

Gabriel Stanciu, Vicepresident - AIF/ General Manager - Alstom Transport Romania & Bulgaria

Mr. Stanciu is the CEO of Alstom Transport (Romania)s.a. (97% owned by Alstom Holdings, France), Bucharest. He has full responsibility of the Romanian market: all customers – Romanian Railways (Infra, Freight and Passengers), Bucharest Metro (Metrorex) and the 14 cities where there is a tramway network, reporting to the South-East Europe and North Africa – Middle East Region Vice-President. In addition, he has full responsibility of the all product lines development – rolling stock, signaling, infrastructure, services and turnkey projects, reporting to the respective Operations Vice-Presidents.

Arturs Alksnis,,Public Affairs Manager - UNIFE

Arturs Alksnis is Public Affairs Manager at UNIFE, the European Rail Industry Association, where he is responsible for investment-related issues, the use of EU Structural and Investment Funds for rail and the dialogue with the International Financial Institutions. Previously, he has worked as a Political Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament (2012-2014), as well as in the European Commission (DG Regional Policy, in 2011/2012 and 2014), the EU Centre in Singapore and National University of Singapore (2009-2010).

Paul Brown, Managing Director - ISAF

In 1998 Paul Brown was introduced in to the Rail Industry with his appointment as Works Manager in the North of England, for the Route 7 SWIM Improvement Project. From 2004 until 2006 he completed various projects for Colas Rail Ltd as a Senior Construction Manager. Between 2006 and 2011 he became Senior Project Manager helping him to acquire a number of specialist management skills. In august 2011 Paul Brown was appointed as Operations Director for Colas Rail in Romania and ISAF S.A. From September 2013 he is Managing Director of ISAF S.A.

Bartłomiej Jesionkiewicz, Technical and Policy Advisor – EIM

Bartłomiej Jesionkiewicz, worked for the European freight forwarder association CLECAT in Brussels (Belgium), where he was responsible for road and rail policy. Currently he is Technical and Policy Adviser for European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), dealing with relations to the European Railway Agency (ERA) and coordination of EIM working groups involved in the development of TSIs.

Mariana Ioniţă, Director of Technical Investment , Infrastructure and Regulations Directorate – Ministry of Transport

She has a vast experience in the Romanian Ministry of Transport where she has held various positions such as General Director of the General Directorate for Investments, Public Procurement and Concessions from 2007-2012, General Director of the General Directorate for Investments, Public Procurement, Public Domain, Management of State Property and Privatization from 2012 to 2013, Director of the General Directorate for Regional Development and Infrastructure from 2013 to 2014. At present she is Director of Technical Investment, Infrastructure and Regulations Directorate – Ministry of Transport.

Michael Robson, Managing Director - Robson's International Rail Consultancy

Mr. Robson is a time-served railway man having worked in the industry for 39 years. During this time he has held various senior positions both in the UK and in Europe including that of Secretary General of the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM). In the UK Michael Robson has experience of working at a senior level in an integrated railway, British Rail, a private stock market listed infrastructure company, Railtrack, and a company limited by guarantee and privately financed, Network Rail, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the Network Rail policy on European issues.

Trevor Garrod, President - European Passengers' Federation

Active in campaigns for better public transport since early 1970. General Secretary of Railway Development Society (now Railfuture) 1986 – 2001. Member of Railfuture Board 2006-2013.
Chairman of European Passengers’ Federation since 2002, currently it’s President.
Long experience in dialogue with transport professionals and political decision-makers, has organised conferences and events and written to edited many publications.

Daniel Birsan, President - AIF/General Manager - Wiebe România

Daniel Birsan graduated from the Technical University of Graz, Austria. From 1997 to 2000, he worked as Service Engineer at IBS, Austria. From 2000 to 2003, he was Technical Manager at Swietelsky. Since 2003 he is the General Manager of Wiebe and is also President of the Romanian Railway Industry Association (AIF).

Ion Dedu, Head of Transport Department - Bucharest Municipality

Nicolae Dragu, Business Development Manager - Alstom Transport Romania

Mr. Dragu graduated from the Polytechnics University Bucharest, TCM, section Machines-Tools. During 1990-1997, he worked at SC FAUR SA, in the field of locomotive manufacturing, modernisation of V3A trams and he was in charge of the technological locomotive design service.
Since 1997, Nicolae Dragu has been working at Alstom SA, having various responsibilities and being involved in several projects. Nicolae Dragu has been Business Development Manager at Alstom SA since 2006.

Octavian Udrişte, Honorary Chairman - Club Feroviar

Octavian Udrişte has an impressive career in the Romanian railway sector. He was involved in major projects, such as the introduction of the diesel and electric traction, the Sifa and Indusi installations and the operation of the Bucharest underground system. He held various positions at CFR SA until 1976, from engineer at Braşov locomotive depot to general inspector at CFR SA, in the field of traffic safety. During 1977-1984, he was head of the underground rolling stock service in Bucharest, and then Technical Director. During 1994-1996, he was General Manager Metrorex. Later on, he was Executive Manager of  INCERTRANS and during 1997-2005, he was head of Transportation Systems at Siemens Romania. Octavian Udrişte has been a member of UEEIV since 1996, President of Tren Club Român and Executive Director of CODATU. Curently, Mr. Udrişte is Honorary Chairman of Club Feroviar.

Vasile Diaconescu, Rolling Stock Manager - AIF/ Head of Division Infrastructure & Cities, Mobility and Logistic Division, Rail Systems Division - Siemens

Mr. Diaconescu graduated from the Polytechnics University in Bucharest, Car Construction Technology Faculty, Machines and Tools Section and from Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Marketing and International Relations Section. He worked in the oil industry and later in the rolling stock construction industry, where he evolved from engineer to manager which enriched his experience, both theoretical and practical, on the operation and current problems of economic agents in the railway sector. Currently, Vasile Diaconescu is mobility division sales manager at Siemens Romania where he is in charge of business development in the sales area for all adjacent activities related to this activity area

Istvan Csuzi, General Manager - OTL

From 1985 to 1988, he has been Head of the Furnace Section – CF line 3000 tonnes/day. From 1988 to 1992 he has been engineer at IIRUC Bucharest, Section 15 Oradea. During 1992-2008, he has been General Manager of SC Trioda SRL Oradea, and since 2008, he is General Manager of Oradea Local Transport Operator, OTL. He published several speciality articles issued in volumes of famous international scientific magazines.  Istvan Csuzi is member of AGIR Romania and of the Hungarian Scientific Association in Romania.

Carmen Filipescu, Vicepresident - ATFER/ Chair of the CIV Committee - CIT

During her activity at CFR Calatori, Mrs. Carmen Filipescu held several management positions both within the company and within international professional organisations to which CFR Calatori is a full member, such as: Director of  International Affairs, Deputy Director General, Director of International Affairs and External Financing. She is Representative in the European/ World General Assembly and the Passenger Forum of International Union of Railways (UIC) and Representative of CER (European Community of Railway Undertakings and Infrastructure Managers) at level of “Assistants” and “General Directors”. Since 2000 Carmen Filipescu is Vice President of CIV Commission of Passenger Transport Law to the International Committee of Transport (CIT) and since 2008 she is President of SERG (South East European Group of UIC) – Rail Passenger Activity.

Helmut Meelich, Consultant, Former Project Manager - TER-UNECE

Mr. Meelich has a PhD in Economics from the University of Economics in Vienna, key qualification in Project management & acquisition and expertise and experience in the transport sector (railways, waterways, harbours and container terminal). From 1992 to 1995, he was Head of the Foreign and Trade Department at Raiffeisen. In 2001-2002, he was Deputy Project Manager of UNECE Trans-European Railway (TER), Project Central Office, Project Manager of UNECE Trans-European North-South Motorway (TEM).

Ralf-Charley Schultze, President – UIRR (International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport)

Before going to Austria he was responsible during five years within the freight department of the Swiss railways (SBB Cargo) for the combined traffic, the automotive business and the partner management. During the last five years he was director for multimodal logistics within the GEFCO group, responsible for the development of multimodal business all over Europe, with a strong focus on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Currently, Mr. Ralf-Charley Schultze is President of the UIRR, the international union for road-rail combined transport in Brussels.

Gabriel Stanciu, Business Unit Manager – Siemens

After graduating from the university, he worked in the railway industry, where he advanced from a simple engineer to head of locomotive depot, which enabled him to accumulate a rich experience, both theoretical and especially in practice regarding the operation and the current problems of railway operators. Starting with 2002, he was project manager within Siemens Romania and presently, Mr. Stanciu is Business Unit Manager at Siemens Romania, being responsible for the business development in the field of locomotives, trams, trains and underground trains sales, as well as for all adjacent sectors related to these fields of activity.

Carmen Costache, Deputy General Director – Maritime Danube Ports Administration Galati/ Vicepresident European Federation of Inland Ports

Her work experience varies from Expert in accessing structural funds, General Director and Head of Commercial Department within the Maritime Danube Ports Administration Galati, to Analist and Economist within INF Navrom Galati or Economic Director at SC Docuri SA Galati. Carmen Costache is currently Deputy General Director at the Maritime Danube Ports Administration and President of the Union of Romanian Inland Ports.

Corneliu Luscalov, Infrastructure Director – AIF/ Senior Technical Executive – Vossloh Fastening System

Corneliu Luscalov graduated from the Civil Technical University of Bucharest, Faculty of Railways, Roads and Bridges, Specialization: Railway Superstructure. He is a M.Sc, candidate for a Doctor in Science – D.Sc. degree and a invited lector of the Faculty of Railways, Roads and Bridges, Railway Superstructure. During 1993 – 1998, he worked for Romanian Railway Register – REFER, Research Department for Railways and Art Works, being 1^st Degree Scientific Researcher. Since 1998 until 2002 he worked for Romanian Railway Authority – AFER, at the Railway Infrastructure Laboratory, as 1^st Degree Technical Expert, Assistant of Laboratory Chief. Since 2002 he has been working as Senior Technical Executive of Romanian subsidiary of Vossloh Fastening Systems GmbH, Vossloh Tehnica Feroviară srl. From 2007 he is the Romanian Railway Industry Association – AIF, Infrastructure Department Director.

Victor Rebets, General Manager – South Caucasus Railway CJSC

He started working in the railway system in 1984 as a duty of the railway park.  Over the years V. Rebets also worked as a duty in the station, the deputy chief and the chief of the station, the deputy chief and the chief of the department of transportation, deputy head of transportation, the head of Moscow-Kursk branch, the head of Transportation Management of Moscow Regional Center of Moscow Railway, deputy head of Moscow railway, deputy head of the Department for Cooperation with the Federal and Regional Authorities of JSC ”Russian Railways“. Since January 2008 V. Rebets has been Head of the Department for Cooperation with the Federal and Regional Authorities of JSC ”Russian Railways“. On February 15, 2012 V. Rebets was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CJSC ”South Caucasian Railways“.

Bo Olsson, Chief Strategist – Trafikverket

Mr.Olsson has worked in the railway sector since 1991. He had several leading positions, in Banverket and later in Trafikverket. His experience goes from Technical Director and Regional Director in the Sothern Region to being responsible for the Research and Development coordination in Banverket. After that, still on-going, he is Chief Strategist at the DG Central Strategic Function, with a special responsibility for rail related European research and Innovation. He is leading Trafikverket´s work in Shift2Rail, where he is member of the Governing Board as well as holding other positions. Among other commitments, he is chairing UIC Research and Innovation Coordination Group and are a member of the ERRAC Steering Committee and also a member of EURNEX Advisory Board.

 

PhD. Eng. Ioan Buciuman, Scientific Secretary - AFER

He worked as Engineer in Signalling Centralization Blocking, Head of Centralisation Remote Control Department, Installation Manager CFR SA (1998-2000, 2003-2005) and Service Manager AFER (2001-2003, 2005-2009). Since 2009 until 2012 he has been Executive Manager AFER and since 2012 he has been occupying the position of Scientific Secretary within the same company.
Ioan Buciuman elaborated several technical and scientific works on railway remote control and railway transport management and published speciality books in 1983, 1988, 2002 and 2008.

Maricel Popa, Secretary of State – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Tourism

Until his appointment as state secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Tourism in 2014, Maricel Popa held a similar position at the Department of Energy in the period 2013-2014. Prior to these professional experiences, between 2007 and 2013 Maricel Popa had been the honorary consul of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Maricel Popa is the president and founding member of several organisations such as The Association of Businessmen of Iasi, The General Association of Romanian Engineers, The ELECTROROM Employers’ Association for Electronics and Household Appliances. He is also a founding member of the Romanian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and vice-president of the Romanian Target Shooting Federation.

Iosif Szentes, Board Member - CFR Călători

He held various positions at the Romanian National Railways Company – the Regional Division of Brașov and at the National Railway Training and Qualification Centre – CENAFER among which: project manager, expert-trainer, manager of CCIPTFT Centre CENAFER Brașov. Since 2012 he has been part of SNTFC “CFR Călători” SA where he has held positions such as: operations manager, international and institutional relations manager, consultant and member of the board of directors. Currently Iosif Szentes is the general manager of SNTFC “CFR Călători” SA.

PhD. Wolfgang Streitenberger, Senior Adviser – European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional Policy

Mr. Streitenberger was born on 2 January 1952 in Vienna. Followed two study courses in parallel at University of Vienna in (1) Political Science and Economic History, (2) Economics. 1974/75: studies at Sorbonne, Paris. Completed course in Political Science (PhD 1975), and Economics (MA 1974). Post-graduate study at College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium. Since 1996 he held several positions in the European Commission and currently he is Senior Adviser to the Director General, DG Regional Policy in Brussels.

Dorina Mironescu, General Manager – Informatica Feroviara

Dorina Mironescu started her career within the Computing Center of the Romanian Railways National Company, in 1980, as a system analyst for railway specific information systems development. Between 1996 and 2002 she was the Project Manager for the largest IT project implemented for Romanian Railways – „Integrated Railway Information System” and she conducted, also, the largest railway ticketing and seat reservation system implementation in Romania. Dorina Mironescu was appointed in 1998 as CEO of the consolidated IT Company „Informatica Feroviară”, the Romanian Railways National Company Subsidiary and she maintained this position for more than 16th years.

Andrei Vuţă, Project Manager – Kapsch CarrierCom AG

His technical experience spans over 15 years in Telecom and GSM-R domains. Since 2006, he was taking care of Public Telecom and GSM-Rail customers in all countries of the South East Europe region, including Turkey. Overall budget of GSM-Rail projects under his supervision exceeded 60 million Euro. Andrei Vuta joined Kapsch CarrierCom in 2010, following Nortel GSM-R business acquisition by Kapsch. He is now taking care of projects in Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova.

Sergiu Rădulescu, Head of Research & Design – voestalpine VAE APCAROM

Sergiu Rădulescu graduated from the University of Brasov, the Technological Faculty of Machine Construction. He has graduated from a CODECS course including the following: management of change, driving art, mentoring, project management, negotiation techniques in acquisitions. Until 2007, he was section engineer, design engineer and head of designing. Mr. Rădulescu, currently is Head of Research and Design of voestalpine Vae Apcarom SA Buzau.

Marius Chiper, Deputy General Manager of Investments – CFR S.A.

Marius Chiper has began his activity as locomotive engineer in former SNCFR in 1994, and he had an technical evolution as Technical Inspector at AFER, Chief of Railway Division at an private Railway Undertaking, Project manager and Chief of Project Management Unit at CFR. From February 10, 2015 he was appointed as Deputy General Manager of European Projects from CFR and after a restructuration process this Sector was reorganized in the Investments Sector from CFR.

Dan Costescu, CEO - Compania Naţională de Căi Ferate CFR S.A

His professional experience, accumulated in his over 20 years of activity in fields such as management, railway business development, project management and implementation, research or academic, have allowed him to have representative positions in private or state companies in Romania and Europe, in the railway industry and operation field. In March 2015 Dan Marian Costescu (46 years old) took over the executive management of Compania Naţională de Căi Ferate CFR S.A, the national company which manages the public railway infrastructure from Romania, and he is now the General Manager.

Jürgen Maier, Head of International Affairs – BLS

His technical experience spans over 28 years in aviation and railway industry. For 8 years he was a teacher for transportation topics; 9 years in the aviation industry where he held several possitions, Innovation Management/Business Development, Corporate Development, Consulting for Airlines and Airports worldwide, Route Development/Strategy, Market Research; 11 years in the railway industry, where he held different positions, Political Affairs (National and International), Project, Quality and Risk Management, Support/ Process-Management, Strategy Development. Currently he is Head of International Affairs at BLS.

László Kormányos, Head of Marketing and Development - MAV - START

Ph.D. László Kormányos is currently the head of marketing and development department at MAV-START, which is the Hungarian railway passenger transport company. He is responsible for timetable planning, domestic and international service development, and market research. He participated in introducing the integrated interval timetable in Hungary. He is also a member of UITP Regional and Suburban Railways Committee.