Speakers

Meet the speakers of the UIC Global Rail Freight Conference

Speakers of the GRFC will interact with the audience in real time. Participants can take active part in the conference. It is possible to send in questions via mobile phone during the presentations or react on statements and questions on stage.

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Jean Pierre Loubinoux - General Director UIC

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux was born in 1956. A graduate of the Ecole Centrale Paris, he worked at the French Foreign Trade Delegation in Hong Kong (1977-1978) before joining French railways SNCF in 1978, where he held various responsibilities including Director of the SNCF General Delegation in North-America and Chief Executive of French Railways UK Ltd in…

Pex Langenberg, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam in charge of Mobility

Pex Langenberg is the Vice Mayor of Rotterdam in charge of Mobility. Work experience: 2013 – 2014 Director of the Water and International Water Programme Department, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. 2008 – 2013 Transport counsellor, Dutch embassy in Washington DC (USA). Advisor of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the Embassy management, concerning chiefly aviation,…

Mark Frequin, General Director - Mobility and Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Since September 2015, Mark Frequin is Director General for Mobility and Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. He is responsible for policy on aviation, roads, traffic safety, public transport, waterways and ports. From 2012 until September 2015 he was Director General for Housing and Building in the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations. Before that he…

Pier Eringa, CEO - ProRail

Pier Eringa is CEO of ProRail, the Dutch Rail Infrastructure Manager. His previous roles include those of chairman of the Albert Schweitzer hospital in Dordrecht, Chief of Police, Director of Public Transport and Town Clerk.

Emile Hoogsteden, Vice President Containers, Breakbulk & Logistics - Port of Rotterdam

Emile Hoogsteden has been vice president Containers, Breakbulk & Logistics at the Port of Rotterdam since 2006. In this role, he is commercially responsible for containers ((cargo-) acquisition, logistics, shipping line calls, leases), breakbulk (other general cargo like forest products, steel, fruit, automotive etc., and RoRo) and logistics, i.e. road, rail, barge. Hoogsteden reports to…

Salman Babaev, Vice-President - Russian Railways (RZD)

Salman BABAEV Vice-President, JSC “Russian Railways” General Director, Center of Corporate Transportation Services (CCTS) Mr. Salman Babaev was born on September 1st, 1955. He graduated from the Khabarovsk Institute of the Railway Engineers as railway operations engineer. He started his work in 1978 as shunting assistant at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur station of the Far East Railway. Afterwards…

Johannes Nanninga

After graduating from the University of Amsterdam (Master degree Business Economics), Johannes Nanninga joined major shipping-lines (Nedlloyd, Maersk) and freight forwarding companies (Damco, Ceva Logistics) all over the world, where he created organizations blue-prints for their diverse business portfolio and translated their strategies in operational plans. In the start of 2013, Johannes Nanninga was appointed…

Rodan Šenekl - Chairman Czech Logistics Association

Ing. Rodan Šenekl (1957) graduated from the University of Transport and Communications in Žilina, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Railway Transport (1977-1982). He graduated from postgraduate study computer technologies in transport at the same school (1984-1985). Until 1992 he worked in various operational and technical positions of the Czech railways and later participated in the implementation of IT…

Eva Molnar, Director of the Transport Division UNECE

Dr. Eva Molnar Since September, 2007, she has been the Director of Sustainable Transport Division at the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECE) for Europe. The Division is the secretariat of the Inland Transport Committee that acts as the centre of the UN transport conventions for road, rail, inland waterways and intermodal transport, vehicle regulations and…

Hossein Ashoori, Vise President for Operation and International Transport of Iranian Railways (RAI)

Hossein Ashouri Position: Vice President for Operation and International Transport of Railways of Islamic Republic of Iran Since: September 30, 2013 Education B.A. in Mechanics, K.N. University of Technology Training Courses Middle management, basic management, supervision management, partnership system, productivity management, management of research and development units, EFQM, TPM, BSC, IT, SCM, ISO Research and…

François Davenne, Secretary General OTIF

François Davenne, a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications d’Evry in 1988 and of the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in 1999, has always promoted interdisciplinarity as a key factor for success. After an experience in international satellite telecommunications, his first assignments were in the housing sector and required strong financial and legal skills. He…

Hüseyin Teker, Freight Department, Turkish State Railway (TCDD)

Mr. Teker is 32 years old and has graduated from Logistics Faculty of Istanbul University. Professional experience: Since 2012 – Marketing expert at the Freight Department of Turkish State Railways. He has been sub-working group of Coordination Committe of Trans – Caspian international railway route from China to Istanbul.

Oliver Sellnick, VP European Corridor Management, DB Netz

Senior Professional in Travel & Transportation Industry Experience: 15 years part of senior management of Deutsche Bahn AG and previously 10 years with Lufthansa AG. Current position: Vice President European Corridors of DB Netz AG, the German track infrastructure manager, Frankfurt Major previous assignments: – VP Strategy DB Netz AG, Frankfurt – UIC Director Freight,…

Edouard Laverny, General Manager, Rail Freight Forwarding, Rail & Multimodal Division - SNCF LOGISTICS

Since 2004: SNCF LOGISTICS Since 2014 : General Manager – Rail Feight Forwarding – Business Unit Forwarders Europe 2008 – 2014: Intermodal Business Unit « Combi Express » Director 2004 – 2008: Automotive and Military Business Unit Director 1998 – 2004: Daimler Group 2000 – 2004 Mercedes & smart : Fleet Sales Director 1998 –…

André Thinieres, Managing Director - Objectif OFP

Managing Director of Objectif OFP, an association dedicated to the developement of small rail freight transport undertakings from and to ports and regions; members include Chambers of Commerce, Small Businesses association, Ports association, Transport and Logistics association, SNCF Réseau, Rail Industry association. Previously: Senior Vice President, now adviser, French Railway Industry Association Senior Vice President Business Development ALSTOM Member of…

Pawel Wojciechowski, European Coordinator - RhineAlpine Core Network Corridor

Dr Pawel Wojciechowski is the European Coordinator of the RhineAlpine Core Network Corridor. He was formerly Minister of Finance of the Republic of Poland. Dr Wojciechowski has an extensive experience working in government, business and academia. He graduated in 1986 with B.A. degree in economics from John Carroll University, Ohio, U.S. In 1988, he obtained M.S. degree in…

Joris D'Inca, Partner at Oliver Wyman

Joris D’Incà is a Partner and Leadership Team member in the Transportation Practice of Oliver Wyman based in Zurich. He has 20+ years of consulting experience. He has focused during the past 15 years on the transportation and logistics sector, in which he has led numerous assignments for strategy development, asset evaluation, network management, operational excellence, restructuring and…

José Manuel Viegas, Secretary-General - International Transport Forum at the OECD

José Viegas has been Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum at the OECD since August 2012. A Portuguese national, Mr. Viegas has had a distinguished career in academia and in the private sector before joining the ITF. A Professor of Transport at the Technical University of Lisbon, he served as Director of MIT-Portugal’s Transport Systems…

Ferdinand Schmidt, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB)

Member of the Board Industries & Operation Management Rail Cargo Austria AG Born: May 30, 1951 Education: 1962 – 1970 Eisenstadt grammar school 1971 – 1976 University of Economics and Business Administration Vienna Professional Career: Ferdinand Schmidt has professional experience in corporate planning, budgeting and controlling, marketing, human resources and network management. His focus lies…

Bernhard Kunz, Managing Director - Hupac Group

Mr. Kunz, who was born in 1957, has been managing director of the Hupac Group, the headquarters of which are in Chiasso, since 2003. Prior to the current position he held the one as director of operations and acted for four years as deputy managing director. Between 1978 and 1988 he held different positions within the Danzas…

Robert van der Waal, Director Logistics Operations - Samsung Electronics Europe Logistics BV

Robert van der Waal started as logistics project lead and department head at GWK Bank. In this role he was responsible for the logistics behind the golden-euro conversion. After a successful implementation he joined DHL where he held various operational management positions for primarily service and spare part related multinationals in the electronics industry. After…

Dirk Stahl, CEO, BLS Cargo AG

Dirk Stahl joined BLS AG in 2000 where he was responsible for establishing the new freight haulage subsidiary BLS Cargo. After the formal founding of BLS Cargo in 2001, D. Stahl held office as CEO and was primarily responsible for the successful positioning of BLS Cargo in the market and establishing close commercial and production…

Baher El-Hifnaw, Senior Economist in the Transport Unit - World Bank

Baher El-Hifnawi is the Global Lead for Development Corridors and Regional Integration at the Transport and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Global Practice of the World Bank Group. The Practice supports client countries in improving their connectivity and competitiveness by linking people to markets, services and employment opportunities. Mr. El-Hifnawi has over 25 years of…

Fabrice Walewski, General Partner & CEO Touax Group

Fabrice WALEWSKI General Partner & CEO of Touax Group Age: 47 Diploma: Business School’s postgraduate diploma – Ecole Supérieure Libre des Sciences Commerciales Appliquées (France) Career: Consultant in Brussels (Belgium) (1990-91), Sales Manager, Managing Director,and then General Partner & CEO of Touax Group (operating lessor of freight railcars,shipping containers, river barges, and modular buildings) (since…

Thomas Steffens

Thomas Steffens is a principal in BCG's Amsterdam office. He focuses on rail and public transport throughout Europe on eg maintenance strategy, strategy formulation and sourcing. He globally leads BCG’s activities on ‘future of public transport’, covering e.g. smart mobility, connectivity and driverless technology.

Miroslav Obrenovic, Head of Asset Strategy & Program, DB Cargo

Career Summary 01/2014 – to date Vice President Asset Strategy & Programs DB Cargo AG (before 03/2016 DB Schenker Rail AG), European Asset Management & Technology ▪ European Technology and Innovation Strategy ▪ European Fleet and ETCS Strategy for Locomotives ▪ Technical Programs and Projects for locomotive and wagon fleet of DB Schenker Rail 11/2011 –12/2013…

Thorsten Bomke, Market Portfolio Director Services - Alstom

Thorsten Bomke is in charge of the Service Market Portfolio within Alstom, which covers Maintenance, Modernization, Parts and Support Services for all transport market segments. Prior to this role, Thorsten has been Director for System, Products and Services in Alstom’s Transport Information Solution Systems. Thorsten has a background in economy and worked throughout his career…

Harald Jony - Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB)

Harald Jony is the head of energy management at the area of operations railway systems at the ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. Since 2003 he has operated at the railway and energy sector and years before he was the head of the sales department for energy at the ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. His current area of responsibility: selling and purchasing energy for the…

Peter Boom, Manager Business Development - Railwatch

Peter is an internationally oriented principal consultant associated with RailWatch. His background is in economics and information technology. Peter holds over 25 years of experience within rail industry. Peter has been acting mainly on the interface between railway logistics and information. Peter is a partnership builder, used to working with multi-disciplinary teams and in multicultural environments. His focus is…

Claudio Diotallevi, Railway Director at Customer Group “Industry & Society”, Ericsson

Claudio is Railway Director at Customer Group “Industry & Society” in Ericsson, that he joined back in 2014. Previously Claudio has held various CIO and ICT executive positions, among those Chief Technology Officer at Italian HS Rail operator, ItaloTreno, where he led the procurement and implementation of IT and Network infrastructures, during company start-up. Former…

Rossella Mattioli, Security and Resilience of Communication Networks Officer - ENISA

Rossella Mattioli works at ENISA, the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security. Her work focuses on enhancing the security of Critical Information Infrastructures, Internet infrastructure, ICS SCADA and transport infrastructure in Europe. She holds a MSc in Engineering with main specialization in Cybersecurity at Tallinn University of Technology and a BA in Communication…

Patrick Philipp, Head of IRU Academy

Patrick Philipp works for the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and manages the IRU Academy, the educational arm of the IRU which implements professional training programmes throughout the road transport industry globally. Born in Geneva, he graduated from the Geneva’s University. Mr. Philipp has over 20 years experience implementing global professional training programmes in many…

Esther Marconi, Chair of the UIC Expertise Development Platform

Ms. Esther Marconi has been Human Resources Director of Italferr, the Engineering Company of the Italian State Railway Group, since 2007. She graduated from La Sapienza University of Rome as an Architect and got her MBA from Bocconi Business School of Milan. Prior to the current position, she was Organization and Managerial Development Manager within…

Philippe Dume, Managing Director Services and Rolling Stock - Alstom

Philippe Dume is Managing Director Services and Rolling Stock in Romania and Bulgaria at Alstom. Before taking responsibility for Alstom’s Service activities in these countries, Philippe did hold different management positions in Russia and Kazakhstan within Alstom. Philippe lectured to Executive Education students at HEC Paris on leading corporate transformation for the last 6 years. He is…

Thierry Vanelslander, Research Professor Transport, Logistics and Ports - C-MAT

Thierry Vanelslander (°1975) graduated as a doctor in Applied Economics at the University of Antwerp in 2005. He currently is tenure track assistant professor at the Department of Transport and Regional Economics. Until 2013, he was holder of the BNP Paribas Fortis chair on transport, logistics and ports. Until halfway 2009, he was director of…

Armand Toubol, Honorary General Manager SNCF, BIC Board Member

Born in 1947, Armand Toubol has been graduated by Polytechnique and Ponts et Chaussees high schools. After being a high level civil servant (Ponts et Chaussees Ingeneer) in charge of Urban planning and road network maintenance in the Northern Region of France, he joined the port of Dunkirk as Equipment Director and Development Director. After…

Gennady Bessonov, Secretary General, Coordinating Council on Transsiberian Transportation - CCTT

Gennady Bessonov was born in 1950. He graduated from the Fergana Polytechnic Institute in 1973, the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 1992, and the Higher Diplomatic courses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2001. He had worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1987 to…

Paul Barrett - Moderator

A successful film and theatre actor, Paul Barrett has become over the past twenty years a reference in facilitating and presenting corporate and high profile public events. Widely accepted as an authority on presenting and the art of communicating to a live audience, Paul also coaches his clients to better structure not only their individual presentations but also the…

Young Rail Professionals

Young professionals will share their vision for the rail industry which they will have gathered through interviews with GRFC participants and speakers. They will then engage in a discussion with the audience and business professionals and propose recommendations.

Jillis George de Ridder, University of Twente

WORK EXPERIENCE: November 2015 – Present Province of South-Holland, Graduation research for University of Twente MSc-thesis: Intermodal Terminal Location Assessment Approach for Perishables This research is focussing on the development of an approach to find suitable locations for intermodal rail terminals for transport of perishables applied to the Western part of the Netherlands. It is an…

René van den Berg, Junior Consultant - Ricardo Rail

René van den Berg graduated from Delft University of Technology in 2014, on the graduation project “The effect of turbulence on using a multi-touch touchscreen in the cockpit”. During his studies he worked with various programming languages, such as Matlab, Java, Python and C++. He attended the course “Knowledge systems” and “Databases” during the minor…

Morane Dovand, Account Manager - Art Transport Authority

Account Manager at Art Transport Authority, Saint Ouen, Transport Commissioner Business development and client portfolio management Organisation of transport Implementation of the AEO status

Aurore Gouaze, Junior Road Transport Analyst - GEFCO

Junior Road Transport Analyst – GEFCO Creating a costing tool based on automated TMS data extraction displaying all Groupage costs from door to door for all overland GEFCO network Improving sales department answer rate to spot quotation Perform detailed analysis of trucking cost for 110 storage depots within 34 countries Prepare a monthly dashboard to…

Bram Koenen, Junior Consultant - Ricardo Rail

Ricardo Rail, Junior Consultant Apr 2016: Condition Monitoring Cargo: the implementation of smart sensors working on ‘Internet of Things’ network (LoRa) for a new pilot involving Condition Monitoring of freight wagons of B Logistics. Oct 2015 – Currently: Reliability Engineering department at GVB Diemen. Calculation and analysis of KPI’s from SAP and SITRAP safety failures,…

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