ISTT Fellows

2019

Dr. Raymond Sterling (United States of America)

Raymond Sterling

Dr. Raymond Sterling is Professor Emeritus at Louisiana Tech University. From 1995 to 2009, he was the Contractors' Educational Trust Fund Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University. Previously, from 1977 to 1995, he was the founding director of the Underground Space Center at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sterling received a B.Eng degree in civil and structural engineering from the University of Sheffield in 1970. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota in 1975 and 1977. He is a Past Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology and the North American Society for Trenchless Technology.

Dr. Raymond Sterling is Professor Emeritus at Louisiana Tech University. From 1995 to 2009, he was the Contractors' Educational Trust Fund Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University. Previously, from 1977 to 1995, he was the founding director of the Underground Space Center at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sterling received a B.Eng degree in civil and structural engineering from the University of Sheffield in 1970. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota in 1975 and 1977. He is a Past Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology and the North American Society for Trenchless Technology.

Dr. Sterling is a Past President of the Associated Research Centers for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS), past Vice Chairman of the Committee on Underground Space of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, Past Chairman of the U.S. National Committee on Tunneling Technology, and a Past Animateur for the International Tunnelling Association's Working Group on Direct and Indirect Advantages of Underground Structures.

In 2003, Dr. Sterling received the Stephen D. Bechtel Pipeline Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was selected as the Person of the Year by the Trenchless Technology Magazine in 2001 and as Most Valuable Professional by the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association in 1999. In 2009, he received the Gold Medal from the International Society for Trenchless Technology for outstanding contributions to the field, and in 2014 he was awarded honorary fellow status in ACUUS.

Dr. Sterling has authored approximately 200 books, technical papers and reports on a wide range of topics related to underground space use, underground construction, geomechanics and trenchless technology. From 1996 to 2015, he served as a Senior Editor of the international journal Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. He is registered engineer in Minnesota and is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Until his retirement from the university in 2009, he was a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. He is currently serving on an International Advisory Committee for the Singapore Ministry of National Development and has been a consultant for several underground space planning initiatives in Singapore and Hong Kong.

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Dr. Declan Downey (United Kingdom)

Dec Downey

Dr. Declan Downey is Principal Consultant and Owner of Trenchless Opportunities Ltd. He is also Chairman at Aqualiner Ltd. He received a B.Sc in Engineering Metallurgy in 1970 and a Doctorate in Materials Science in 1975 at the University of Bath (UK). His professional career began in 1973 at the Research Laboratories of the Amey Roadstone Corporation (ARC), working on a number of construction materials related projects, including a feasibility study of pneumatic capsule pipeline transportation to minimise the economic and environmental aspects of road haulage of granite aggregates from quarry to port.

Dr. Declan Downey is Principal Consultant and Owner of Trenchless Opportunities Ltd. He is also Chairman at Aqualiner Ltd. He received a B.Sc in Engineering Metallurgy in 1970 and a Doctorate in Materials Science in 1975 at the University of Bath (UK). His professional career began in 1973 at the Research Laboratories of the Amey Roadstone Corporation (ARC), working on a number of construction materials related projects, including a feasibility study of pneumatic capsule pipeline transportation to minimise the economic and environmental aspects of road haulage of granite aggregates from quarry to port.

At ARC Concrete, Dr. Downey led a team developing a glass reinforced concrete jacking pipe. The Slimline pipe achieved British Board of Agrement certification and a British Standard Draft for Development (DD76). The Slimline pipe was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise (Technology) and was installed in the UK, South Africa and Japan. Dr. Downey represented the Concrete Pipe Association of Great Britain, contributing to various British Standard working groups and presenting papers and workshops on microtunnelling and construction in narrow trench situations.

In 1987 Dr. Downey joined Insituform Group (now Aegion Corporation) as Technical Manager and was responsible for R&D and the provision of technical support for licensees worldwide. His team, based in Wellingborough, U.K., developed a UV curing method, various inversion techniques, lateral lining and a range of pressure pipe lining solutions. From 1991 he served the company as Vice President and General Manager-Asia Pacific. His 15 years with the company was a period of substantial growth in national and international sales and installations. In this time, his contribution included promotion of trenchless technology, particularly Cured in Place Pipe lining in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, New Zealand and Australia. In 1992 his work in Japan and the region was recognised by the Japan Microtunnelling Association with the Kurose Award for his commitment to international technology exchange.

In 2001 Dr. Downey commenced work in partnership with Dr. John Heavens. Trading as JD Associates, they developed Trenchless Guidelines for Northern Ireland Water Services and developed a client base around the world. In 2003 they joined with Tom Sangster, Robert Morrison and David Abbott to acquire Jason Consultants Inc. founded by trenchless pioneer James Thompson. From offices in Zurich, London and Washington, DC they undertook production of a wide range of technical studies, market reports, project specifications and product assessment for clients worldwide including a notable series of state of the technology reports for the US Environment Protection Agency on a range of trenchless rehabilitation technologies.

Dr. Downey is a Chartered Engineer. He was elected as a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (formerly the Institution of Public Health Engineers, birthplace of ISTT) in November 1990. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Materials (now the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in August) 1993. He became a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators in April 1999 and served for several years on its Court of Assistants.

Dr. Downey developed and delivered continuing education courses for several years on Pipe and Pipeline Renewal for the American Society of Civil Engineers. He joined the United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology serving as a Council Member from its formation in 1993 and as Chairman 1999-2000. His contribution was recognised by a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He has served ISTT as a Guarantor since 1999, as an ESC member from 2001to 2013; as Vice Chairman from 2005 to 2007, as Chairman from 2007 to 2010 and as Past Chairman until 2013. His contribution was recognised with award of the ISTT Gold Medal in 2016. The ISTT Guarantors appointed Dr. Downey as Honorary President of ISTT in April 2019. Together with Martin Kane, Chairman-ISTT Guarantors, Jari Kaukonen -ISTT Chairman and Matt Izzard-ISTT Vice Chairman, he has worked on the revision of the ISTT Articles of Association which were adopted in Florence in September 2019.

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Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam(United States of America)

Sam Ariaratnam

Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam is Professor and Construction Engineering Program Chair at Arizona State University (ASU). He received his B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo (Canada) in 1989 and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and 1994, respectively. Prior to joining ASU, he spent five years as a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. From 1995-96, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam is Professor and Construction Engineering Program Chair at Arizona State University (ASU). He received his B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo (Canada) in 1989 and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and 1994, respectively. Prior to joining ASU, he spent five years as a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. From 1995-96, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As a graduate student, Dr. Ariaratnam was employed at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) in Champaign, Illinois where he performed research in military construction and strategic planning from 1989-1994. His primary area of research interest lies in underground infrastructure management and rehabilitation. Research in this area has focused on the development of new technologies in construction engineering and applications of underground trenchless construction techniques, specifically horizontal directional drilling and trenchless pipe replacement. He has published over 300 technical papers and reports, co-authored eight textbooks, and is a co-holder of five patents. He was appointed and served on two study committees of the U.S. National Academies.

Through his research and educational initiatives, Dr. Ariaratnam has received recognition from the California Department of Transportation, City of Los Angeles, North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where he received the prestigious John O. Bickel Award, Arthur M. Wellington Prize, and Pipeline Division Award of Excellence. In 2003, he was presented with the Young Civil Engineer Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received an award of recognition from Halliburton Energy Services for contributions to underground technology in 2004. The Phoenix Business Journal named him to the prestigious "Top Forty under 40" list in 2006. He was given Guest Professor appointments at the China University of Geosciences (CUG) in Wuhan, China in 2011 and Zhengzhou University in 2016. In 2019, he was appointed as a Distinguished Professor at CUG (Wuhan).

Dr. Ariaratnam was named as the 2012 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year by Trenchless Technology magazine. In 2019, he received the prestigious Gold Medal from the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT). Professionally, Dr. Ariaratnam serves as a Past Chairman of ISTT, Past Chairman of the ASCE Pipelines Division Executive Board, and is also active in numerous professional societies including; ASCE, NASTT, and the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA). In 2015, he was elected as a Fellow of ASCE.

Dr. Ariaratnam was elected to the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) in 2018 and the U.S. National Academy of Construction (NAC) in 2019. In 2019, he was named Honorary President of the International Institute of Utility Specialists (IIUS). Additionally, he has provided consulting services both domestically and internationally. Dr. Ariaratnam has lectured globally in over a dozen countries and has delivered keynote addresses at various technical conferences.

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Dr. Hideki Shimada (Japan)

Hideki Shimada

Dr. Hideki Shimada is Professor in the Department of Earth Resources and Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoda, Japan. He received his doctorate of engineering in mining engineering from Kyushu University in 1993. His research interests include rock engineering as well as rock mechanics with applications in geology and geophysics, mining, petroleum, and civil engineering. His interests relate to energy recovery and development, construction of underground spaces for transportation, water resources and defense facilities, prediction of earthquakes, and many other activities of greatest importance.

Dr. Hideki Shimada is Professor in the Department of Earth Resources and Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoda, Japan. He received his doctorate of engineering in mining engineering from Kyushu University in 1993. His research interests include rock engineering as well as rock mechanics with applications in geology and geophysics, mining, petroleum, and civil engineering. His interests relate to energy recovery and development, construction of underground spaces for transportation, water resources and defense facilities, prediction of earthquakes, and many other activities of greatest importance.

Dr. Shimada serves on the Professional Committee on Coal Mine Support Technology (1994- ). He has served on organizing committees for the International Workshop on Earth Science and Technology, 2003-2007; International Symposium on Earth Science and Technology, 2008-present; International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, 2013-present. He serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2015-present; and Journal of Earth Engineering, 2015-present.

At Kyushu University, Dr. Shimada serves on the following committees: Global Center of Excellent Novel Carbon Resources Science, 2009-2014; ASEAN-Japan BUILD-UP Cooperative Education Program for Global Human Resources Development in Resources Engineering, 2013-present; and Green Asia program, 2013-present.

In addition to ISTT's Japan Society for Trenchless Technology, professional memberships include Mining and Material Processing Institute of Japan; Japan Society of Civil Engineers; Japanese Geotechnical Society; International Society for Rock Mechanics; Society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers; and Japan Sewage Works Association.

In 1999, Dr. Shimada received the Encouragement Prize of the Mining and Material Processing Institute of Japan.

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2020

Norman Howell (United Kingdom)

Norman Howell

Mr. Norman Howell has been involved in the civil engineering and pipeline sectors of the construction industry for over 45 years. He has had a pivotal role in the development and introduction of new trenchless techniques for the installation and rehabilitation of pipelines. He is graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a degree in Engineering Geology and is a Chartered Geologist, Chartered Environmentalist and Chartered Water and Environment Manager.

Mr. Norman Howell has been involved in the civil engineering and pipeline sectors of the construction industry for over 45 years. He has had a pivotal role in the development and introduction of new trenchless techniques for the installation and rehabilitation of pipelines. He is graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a degree in Engineering Geology and is a Chartered Geologist, Chartered Environmentalist and Chartered Water and Environment Manager.

After graduation, Mr. Howell joined Tarmac Construction Ltd and gained extensive experience of conventional tunnel construction. He joined D J Ryan & Sons Ltd in 1985 and played a key role in the development of the pipebursting technique. He remained with Ryan for 18 years and was responsible for the global introduction and development of the technique as well as all other aspects of the company's involvement in trenchless technology.

In April 2002, he joined Subterra, an internationally recognized innovator and developer in the field of utility pipeline rehabilitation systems. He was also involved in the project management of many major international trenchless projects involving these systems. He was the mainstay and driving force behind Subterra's technical innovation and excellence within the fields of pipeline rehabilitation and replacement and this led to him becoming responsible for the overall management of the company.

In 2013, Mr. Howell established an engineering consultancy to offer technical and commercial support to the pipeline sector of the construction industry. The company has a wide portfolio of clients which includes pipeline network owners, pipeline designers, construction companies and system and equipment development companies. Recent assignments have included provision of technical support for the routing and construction of the 68 km onshore section of an interconnector cable project and for the delivery of major water network projects in the UK. He has acted as client project manager on the award winning Thanet Groundwater Scheme which involved the lining of 5kms of chalk tunnel using UV cured CIPP lining and 10 kms of conventional sewer rehabilitation using CIPP lining and patches.

Mr. Howell has presented numerous technical papers at both UK and International Conferences on a variety of subjects relating trenchless technology, and he has been a guest Lecturer at Manchester Business School and The University of East London.

He has had a long association with the ISTT and UKSTT joining in 1987 and has been involved with the UKSTT since its inception serving on the council since 2000. He also served as a member of the ISTT Executive Subcommittee between 2007 to 2013.

In 2018 he became the third person to be presented with the UKSTT Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his work in trenchless technology.

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2021

Dr. Wout Broere (The Netherlands)

Wout Broere

Dr. Wout Broere is a professor of Underground Space Technology at Delft University of Technology, where he obtained his MSc and PhD in 1995 and 2001 respectively. His research interests range from trenchless technologies, large diameter tunnelling and the use of underground space to site investigation, physical modeling and offshore foundation engineering. He has been involved as a consultant in various offshore, foundation engineering and major tunnelling projects in the Netherlands and abroad and has worked for the geotechnical software company Plaxis. In 2006 he moved back full-time to university, where he teaches courses on underground space, tunnelling and trenchless technologies.

Dr. Wout Broere is a professor of Underground Space Technology at Delft University of Technology, where he obtained his MSc and PhD in 1995 and 2001 respectively. His research interests range from trenchless technologies, large diameter tunnelling and the use of underground space to site investigation, physical modeling and offshore foundation engineering. He has been involved as a consultant in various offshore, foundation engineering and major tunnelling projects in the Netherlands and abroad and has worked for the geotechnical software company Plaxis. In 2006 he moved back full-time to university, where he teaches courses on underground space, tunnelling and trenchless technologies.

Dr. Broere has published extensively on a wide range of geotechnical engineering and underground space related topics and supervised over than 250 BSc and MSc students and has been involved in multiple PhD projects. He currently leads the research programme Futureproof Tunnels, aimed at tackling the challenges in monitoring, maintaining and refurbishing aging underground infrastructure and has been a consultant for several local municipalities on the integration of underground space in urban development.

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2022

Dr. Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou (Chinese Taipei)

Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou

Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou is Distinguished Professor of Department of Civil Engineering at National Chung-Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, USA in 1993 and joined NCHU after spent one year working with Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau.

Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou is Distinguished Professor of Department of Civil Engineering at National Chung-Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, USA in 1993 and joined NCHU after spent one year working with Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau.

His research interests include geotechnical engineering, rock mechanics/engineering, geohazards, and trenchless technologies. He has published more than 200 papers on these topics and is now the editor of Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology(SCI), and the associate editor of the ASCE Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice(SCI), Underground Space(SCI), and Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (SCI). His experience includes: 1. Visiting Professor, CNR-IRPI, Perugia, Italy (2013/8~2014/1), 2. Senior Principal Engineer, Shannon & Wilson, Seatlle, USA (2008/2~2008/9), 2. Visiting Professor, TTC, Louisiana Technical University, USA (2006/1~2006/2), 3. Visiting Professor, RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan (2003/10~2004/3), 4. Research Engineer, CSIR/Miningtek, South Africa (1998/2~1999/1), 5. Geotechnical Engineer, National Expressway Engineering Bureau, Taiwan (1993-1994). 6..Vice Chair, ISTT (2019-2022).

Prof. Shou is now the VP Asia, International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), Honorary Chair of CTSTT, and the Chair of ISTT (2023-2025).

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Dr.Christopher Rogers (United Kingdom)

Christopher Rogers

Dr. Chris Rogers is Professor of Geotechnical Engineering and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure and Urban Systems in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Leeds and spent three years in the civil engineering industry prior to gaining his doctorate from the University of Nottingham for research into the structural performance of buried flexible pipes. He held academic posts at the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University before being appointed to a personal chair at the University of Birmingham in 1998.

Dr. Chris Rogers is Professor of Geotechnical Engineering and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure and Urban Systems in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Leeds and spent three years in the civil engineering industry prior to gaining his doctorate from the University of Nottingham for research into the structural performance of buried flexible pipes. He held academic posts at the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University before being appointed to a personal chair at the University of Birmingham in 1998.

Chris' technical areas of expertise encompass the installation, maintenance, refurbishment and structural performance of buried infrastructure, utility service systems more generally, urban underground space in cities, and engineering to support future sustainable, resilient and liveable cities. He led the Mapping the Underworld and Assessing the Underworld projects, using remote sensing to locate, map and assess the condition of buried pipelines and cables, and research into infrastructure interdependencies and novel business models, robots for streetworks and miniature robots for pipeline condition assessment, along with a parallel portfolio of research into sustainable, resilient and liveable cities. He chaired the UK Institution of Civil Engineers' Research, Development & Innovation Panel from 2011 to 2021, and from 2013-15 he served as the only engineer on an eight-strong Lead Expert Group of the UK Government Foresight Future of Cities project.

A founder member of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC), he led a successful bid for the National Buried Infrastructure Facility, which opened on campus at the University of Birmingham in 2020. In 1996 he created and edited the journal of Trenchless Technology Research, which was subsequently incorporated into Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology when he joined Ray Sterling as one of three Senior Editors; he is now an Honorary Editor. In 2006, he received an ISTT award 'in recognition of his major contribution to research in the field of Trenchless Technology'. He has published more than 170 journal papers and 200 conference papers, books and book chapters.

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2023

Ian Ramsay (United Kingdom)

Ian Ramsay

Mr. Ian Ramsay has contributed extensively to the evolution of Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology. With his law and economics degrees from the University of Newcastle, Ramsay's began his career in the field began at Texon before moving to Epros, refining techniques in lateral relining and mainline connections.

Mr. Ian Ramsay has contributed extensively to the evolution of Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology. With his law and economics degrees from the University of Newcastle, Ramsay's began his career in the field began at Texon before moving to Epros, refining techniques in lateral relining and mainline connections.

Ramsay has had significant impact pioneering the lateral CIPP market in the UK, USA, and Asia, notably collaborating with Singapore's Public Utilities Board from 2002-2006, culminating in installing over 150 km of laterals by CIPP. He has contributed to CIPP applications in Hong Kong, augmenting the region's post-slope investigation infrastructural advancements. Ramsay has influenced standards development and practices on pivotal industry panels. He is also an acclaimed educator, developing and delivering CIPP-focused courses globally, enhancing the industry's knowledge base.

As the past Chair of the UKSTT and an ASTM F1216 committee member, Ramsay's leadership has bridged the gap between industry standards and governmental policies, including presentations to the UK Parliament.

A prolific author and speaker, Ramsay has propagated his knowledge through technical papers and at leading international conferences, advocating for sophisticated infiltration control and advanced trenchless methodologies. He has played a crucial role in educating engineers, governments, and industry professionals through seminars and masterclasses.

Ramsay's commitment extends to his involvement in drafting specifications that assist global consultants and municipalities in adopting the best CIPP practices. His active participation in international trenchless conferences reflects a career focused on innovation and elevating industry standards.

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Jean-Marie Joussin (France)

Jean-Marie Joussin

Mr. Jean-Marie Joussin was educated at ENPC engineering school (École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées). His career spans from the French branch of ETEX Group, where he began as a Technical Engineer and grew to a Project Manager for industrial diversification, to his leadership role as Managing Director at HOBAS Group’s European branch with major contribution to the Group’s global diversification in the trenchless field. In parallel he was active in European and national standardization bodies as an expert in the water sector.

Mr. Jean-Marie Joussin was educated at ENPC engineering school (École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées). His career spans from the French branch of ETEX Group, where he began as a Technical Engineer and grew to a Project Manager for industrial diversification, to his leadership role as Managing Director at HOBAS Group’s European branch with major contribution to the Group’s global diversification in the trenchless field. In parallel he was active in European and national standardization bodies as an expert in the water sector.

Within the FSTT, he has contributed significantly as an Administrator and International Director, guiding material and rehabilitation standards in the water industry. His efforts were honored by several awards and in 2019 when he was named the "French Trenchless Personality of the Year" for his involvement in advancing trenchless infrastructure.

Mr. Joussin's work includes his participation in the notable "National Microtunneling Project" and the "Urban Sewers Rehabilitation Project" which influenced the new design method for liners, now recognized internationally. His role culminated in a strategic partnership between FSTT and Canada's CERIU in 2022, cementing his global impact.

An active member of the trenchless community, Mr. Joussin has chaired sessions at the Trenchless European Congress and has been a pivotal figure in France’s biennial Ville Sans Tranchée events.

Throughout his professional career he has also contributed to various educational efforts, leading sessions for certification bodies, engineering schools, and industry seminars.

A prolific writer and speaker, Mr. Joussin has published several technical articles and co-authored professional guidelines, highlighting his influence in trenchless technology. His tenure is marked by an enduring commitment to the growth and innovation of underground infrastructure on an international scale.

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