Mark André Haebler is the Vice-Chairman of the AATT and a member since 2015. Furthermore, he´s an active member of an Austrian education and training program called: “ÖWAV-certified consultant for sewer rehabilitation. “ He has been involved in trenchless since 2003´s holding management positions with several trenchless suppliers. He is currently responsible for International Sales and Development with Uhrig Kanaltechnik GmbH, Germany, and is a member of the ÖWAV – rules and standards working group and a speaker as a certified consultant for sewer rehabilitation (since 2013).
Sam Efrat is a BSc Building Graduate with 32 years of Trenchless experience. For the past 26 years he has been Managing Director of Trenchless Technologies PTY Ltd. completing over 100 innovative contracts, installing 1 million metres of pipe by Trenchless means and the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 1992 Sam was a co-founding member of SASTT and has remained a member of SASTT for 27 years, serving on the SASTT Board for 14 years. He is presently President of SASTT. Sam is heading SASTT’s a mission to utilize trenchless technology as a means of economic upliftment and create new employment for 200 000 job entrants and 200 new BEE companies in order to service the required replacement of aged sewer and water pipes in South Africa. This is a model we hope to perfect in South Africa and use to assist other developing counties.
Carlos A. Munera is the chair of the board of directors at LAMSTT (Latin American Society for Trenchless Technologies) and the Co-Chair of the NASSCO International Relations Committee (National Association of Sewer Service Companies in the United States and Canada) since 2012 and Chair Since 2020. He received an MBA from Loyola University, Chicago, USA and his Masters in Infrastructure Business in EOI, Madrid, Spain. He is the International Operations Manager for Pacific Group S.A. (Colombia) and the Central and South American Regional Sales Manager for Envirosight LLC (USA). Mr. Munera has more than 15 Years of experience introducing trenchless technologies for maintenance, inspection, and rehabilitation in the Central and South American region, more than 10 years of experience in water and wastewater industry technology/strategy consulting, and more than 10 years of experience in the direction of projects for pipeline condition assessment in the water and wastewater industry. He has collaborated in the creation/adaptation and implementation of several standards in the water and wastewater industry. Mr. Munera was elected to the ISTT Board of Directors in November 2020.
Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou received his Ph.D. degree of Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota (U.S.A.) in 1993. He began his career as a geotechnical engineer in National Expressway Engineering Bureau of Taiwan, then join National Chung-Hsing University as a professor. His specialties include rock mechanics/engineering, trenchless technologies, and engineering geology. He now serves the Tunneling and Underground Space Technology (SCI international journal) as an editor. The joined CTSTT of Taiwan in 2007, became the board director in 2008, and was elected as the chairman in 2013. He is the driving force in the development and promoting the trenchless technologies in Taiwan area, and is working in cooperation with consultants and contractors for various challenging trenchless projects. He was elected to the Executive Sub Committee ISTT Board on the No-Dig Istanbul 2015.
Declan Downey - UKSTT (United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology) Declan Downey - President - UKSTT (United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology) Dec Downey has enjoyed fifty years involved in pipe manufacture and pipeline rehabilitation. A Materials Science PhD from the University of Bath he continues to work as Chairman at Aqualiner Ltd, as a trainer at JBP Training and as an independent rehabilitation consultant. Dec has served as UKSTT Chairman (1998-2001), ISTT Chairman (2007-10) and as an ISTT Guarantor/Trustee since 1998. His work has been recognized with the Japan Microtunnelling Association Kurose Award, the UKSTT Lifetime Achievement Award and the ISTT Gold Medal and Fellowship. It is, he says, the greatest privilege to follow in the footsteps of Dr Tohyama, our first President. He intends to serve out his term giving back to the Society all that he can following the example set by our founders.
Wing Chan is the Vice-Chair of CHKSTT and a member since 2008. He was also active in the NASTT NW chapter (Edmonton and Calgary) in the 90’s and early 20’s. Wing has 30 years experience in trenchless technology, focusing on pipe bursting in the beginning and being involved in NASTT/ISTT award winning projects. Wing was instrumental in developing WRc sewer condition assessment courses for Singapore and has particular interest with the development of multi-sensory sewer inspection platforms for critical infrastructures and deep tunnel sewers. Currently, he provides advisory services to companies in Southeast Asian countries interested in engaging trenchless technologies to service the needs of their respective buried utilities.
Dr. John Matthews has over 20 years of experience in the installation, rehabilitation, & inspection of pipeline infrastructure systems. He is the Director of the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) and a Professor of Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering Technology at Louisiana Tech University. He has also served as the Pipe Renewal Manager at Pure Technologies and as Water Infrastructure Lead at Battelle. His work has been presented at more than 200 conferences nationally & internationally where he has received three ISTT No-Dig Awards (2005, 2012, & 2022) and a NASTT Outstanding Paper Award (2015). He has authored more than 300 publications in the field of trenchless technology. Dr. Matthews has been a member of NASTT since 2003 and served on the NASTT Board of Directors from 2017 to 2022. He also serves on the Editorial Board for Trenchless Technology magazine. Dr. Matthews was elected to the ISTT Board of Directors in 2020 & in 2024 for a 2nd term.
Ian Ramsay graduated from the University of Newcastle UK and has been involved in trenchless technology since 1996. He has mainly worked in sewer rehabilitation involving cured-in-place technology, from small to large diameter pipes. Mainly on the supply side but also as a project manager. He has worked around the world specifically in Asia, USA and Europe and has presented several master classes on condition assessment and CIPP best practices throughout the world as well as writing several international technical papers. Mr. Ramsay is currently vice chair of the UKSTT and was a past chair from 2012-2014. He is also an independent consultant for trenchless technology. Mr. Ramsay was elected to the ISTT Board of Directors in November 2020.
Pertti Leppänen is a seasoned expert in water supply design and trenchless technology, with over 15 years of experience. He holds a Master of Engineering in Construction and Environmental Engineering from HAMK Häme University of Applied Sciences. Pertti serves as the Deputy Head of the Water Services Department at Sitowise Oy, where he leads a team of experts in designing sustainable water solutions. His career includes roles as a project manager, lead designer, and safety coordinator, focusing on trenchless techniques and infrastructure in tunnel structures. Pertti has been instrumental in promoting trenchless technologies in Finland, actively engaging with municipalities, consultants, and builders. He has held various positions in the Finnish Society for Trenchless Technology (FiSTT), including Chair of the Board of Directors, where he has advanced the association's activities and increased national awareness. His work includes developing quality management for trenchless technologies and participating in significant projects and conferences, such as the Trenchless Week event in 2022. Pertti is also a member of the International No-Dig Committee at ISTT, contributing to international trenchless technology events. He joined the Board of Directors of ISTT in November 2024.
Paulo Dequech graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Maua Engineering School, São Paulo, Brazil, in 1980. Paulo began his career focusing on heavy construction equipment maintenance at Brazil's largest contractor. In 1987, he became the CEO of Sondeq Ltda, specializing in manufacturing drilling equipment and tools. His pioneering work in trenchless technologies started in 1992 with the introduction of Tracto products and later Prime Drilling equipment to Brazil with large experience in HDD and Pipe Bursting equipments, maintenance and tools manufacturing Paulo has also represented brands like Radiodetection and Envirosight in locators, GPR, and sewer inspection equipment. As a co-founder of the Brazilian Society for Trenchless Technologies (ABRATT), he served as Vice Chair, Board Member, and Chair, contributing significantly to the field. He was instrumental in organizing the 2012 International NO DIG in São Paulo and has actively participated in international trenchless technology events. Currently, Paulo is a member of the ISTT International No-Dig Committee and the Regional Support Committee, continuing to shape trenchless technology with his vast experience and leadership. He joined the Board of Directors of ISTT in November 2024.
Thorsten Schulte has over 25 years of experience in trenchless technologies, specializing in the installation and rehabilitation of underground network infrastructure. His expertise spans various applications, including water distribution, wastewater disposal, gas distribution, fiber optic network construction, pipeline construction, and energy distribution. He currently serves as the Trenchless Development Manager at TRACTO in Lennestadt, Germany, a position he has held since July 2020. In this role, he focuses on advancing trenchless technology solutions and managing development projects. Previously, he was the Regional Marketing Manager at TRACTO from August 1997 to July 2020, where he was instrumental in promoting the company's products and services across various markets. Thorsten is also actively involved in industry organizations. He is a member of the board of the German Society for Trenchless Technology (GSTT) and serves as the chairman of the GSTT working group on International Business Development. His leadership and extensive experience make him a key figure in the German trenchless industry. He joined the Board of Directors of ISTT in November 2024.
Borje Persson brings over 35 years of international experience in the trenchless technology sector. A long-time advocate of advancing trenchless practices globally, Borje has worked extensively across Europe, Scandinavia, and Southeast Asia, establishing companies that deliver innovative underground solutions. He is the Managing Director of JBP Composites S.L. (Spain) and the Managing Director of JBP Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia). He has served ISTT in multiple capacities, including Vice Chair of both the Finance Committee and the Technical & Education Committee, and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee on membership fees. Borje also played a key role in founding the Malaysia Association for Trenchless Technologies (MATT), contributing to the growth of the trenchless community in Southeast Asia. In recognition of his enduring contributions, he was named an ISTT Fellow in 2024. His passion for innovation, collaboration, and education continues to inspire professionals and advance trenchless technologies worldwide. He joined the ISTT Board of Directors in October 2025.