SPEAKERS

José Luis Aguilar, executive director, Cuenca Airport Corporation, Ecuador

José Luis Aguilar

He is a lawyer, graduated from the Catholic University of Ecuador, has master's studies in Spain, a diploma in Airport Administration and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Airport and Aeronautical Management and Direction; he has extensive work experience in the public and private sectors, related to airport and civil aviation issues. He has held, among other important positions, such as Undersecretary of Air Transport and Vice Minister of Transport Services of Ecuador. He currently holds the position of executive director of the Cuenca Airport Corporation. His management focuses on increasing the city's air connectivity and the level of service at the "Mariscal La Mar" airport.

Luis Becerril , Project Manager, EXP US Services Inc.

Luis is an experienced aviation infrastructure leader with over 20 years of expertise in the design, construction, and modernization of airports across Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Infrastructure Project Management, specializing in managing and delivering complex projects that enhance efficiency, passenger experience, and regulatory compliance.

His expertise spans constructability, value engineering, stakeholder integration, and quality assurance, with a deep understanding of FAA regulations, ICAO standards, and regional compliance requirements. Luis has a proven track record in terminal design, runway rehabilitation, and infrastructure optimization, excelling in project controls, scheduling, budgeting, risk mitigation, and quality implementation.

A strategic collaborator, he integrates designers, contractors, regulators, and operators to execute airport development initiatives aligned with industry trends, technological advancements, and sustainability goals.

Emerson Castro Hidalgo, Director General Private Investment Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Peru

He is Director of the General Directorate of Private Investment Promotion Policy at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He previously served as Director of the Project Portfolio Directorate at Proinversión. He also held leadership positions at the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. He has experience in project management, execution, and monitoring, and managing concession contracts in multimodal infrastructure and public services.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Federico Villarreal National University and a Master's degree in Construction Management from the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences.

Manuel Gonzalez Moles, CEO, UG21 Engineering

MSc. Civil Engineer (University of Granada, 1998). MBA in the International Institute San Telmo (Seville, 2008), and Master's in Airport Design, Construction and Maintenance (UDIMA, Madrid, 2020).

He began his career in 1998 at the Junta de Andalucía and, in 2001, co-founded UG21 with Ozgur Unay. Since 2010, he has led the company's international expansion, with permanent offices in 6 countries in South America, and an ambitious Strategic Plan #Objetive2030, aiming to expand to 8 countries, with a staff of 600 professionals and turnover exceeding 30 million euros.

Maricruz Hernández García, Director of Airports, Federal Civil Aviation Agency, Mexico

Aeronautical Engineer with 20 years of experience, graduated from the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of the National Polytechnic Institute.

She has specialized in Airport Systems, Airport Engineering and Certification, and Human Development.

She has worked in the private sector as an Airport Administrator and has held various positions in the public sector, currently serving as Director of Airports at the Federal Civil Aviation Agency of Mexico.

During her tenure, she has participated in promoting new infrastructure at airports such as AIFA and Tulum, as well as airfields and heliports. She has successfully implemented the digitalization of some procedures, optimizing time and resources. She has ensured that Mexico's airports comply with ICAO aerodrome certification under standards of efficiency, quality, and, above all, safety.

CARLOS LASPRILLA SALGUERO, Director of Strategic Projects Latam, EXP US SERVICES INC.

Civil Engineer from La Gran Colombia University, with specialization studies in Project Management, and studies at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the New York Institute of Finance.

Consultant in Infrastructure proyects, Master Plans and Public-Private Partnership Projects specially in the aviation and healthcare sectors.

He has worked at Colombia's Civil Aviation Authority, Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency, National Hospital Fund, AECOM Technical Services, TY Lin, Structure Investment Banking, developing projects in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, and Peru.

Currently, he is Director of Strategic Projects for Latin America at EXP US Services.

Carlos Manuel Merino Campos, Managing Director, Airports and Auxiliary Services, Mexico

Appointed in 2024 by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo as General Director of Airports and Auxiliary Services, he holds a degree in Administration and aviation training from the Mexican Aviation School, with a Master's degree in Public Administration.

He has served primarily as a Local Deputy for the 59th Legislature of the Honorable Congress of the State of Tabasco, Senator of the Republic for the 63rd Legislature, Delegate for Federal Programs for the Secretariat of Welfare, Tabasco Delegation, and in August 2021, the Honorable Congress of the State of Tabasco swore him in as Governor of the State.

At ASA, his strategic plan stands out, corresponding to:

• National regional airport development.
• Development of the civil aviation university, focused on the training of aeronautical personnel.
• Develop infrastructure for the blending, storage, and production of SAF, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ensure the security and supply of aviation fuels nationwide.

Luis Miranda Muñoz, Deputy Director General, Directorate of Civil Aviation of Costa Rica

Luis Miranda Muñoz has 33 years of public service at the Directorate of Civil Aviation of Costa Rica.

He worked for 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller and 12 years in the administrative area, where his work as Manager of the Air Traffic Services Operational Safety System, Head of the Air Navigation Services Department, and Head of the Airspace Management Unit stands out.

He currently serves as Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Civil Aviation of Costa Rica for the past four years.

Germán Moncada, Head of the Airports Department, Ministry of Public Works, Chile

Specializing in the design and implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts at the Chilean Ministry of Public Works, with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, I have worked in Chile's Concessions system, leading projects for highways, prisons, railways, public transportation, and airports. Among my roles was leading the team that designed, tendered, and awarded the current contract for Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, which tripled its capacity and served more than 25 million passengers annually. We are currently working on the Southern Airport Network, which includes El Tepual in Puerto Montt, Pichoy in Valdivia, Cañal Bajo in Osorno, and Mocopulli in Dalcahue (Chiloé Island). Our main objective is to democratize the skies of our country by allowing more people to fly at low prices, with high-quality infrastructure and technology.

Pablo Pita, Managing Director, Guayaquil Airport Authority, Ecuador

Pablo Pita Rendón holds a degree in Management and Marketing from Missouri Valley College and an MBA from IDE Business School. He began his career at Unicol S.A., where he led the creation of the Supply Chain area and later served as General Manager, driving the development of the agroindustrial sector. He was also General Manager of the Malecón 2000 Foundation, responsible for the management and renovation of emblematic spaces in Guayaquil. He is currently General Manager of the Guayaquil Airport Authority, where he oversees the concession contract for the current airport and the planning of the New International Airport. He is also the founder of Pascha Roots, a company dedicated to the production and export of pitahaya. His experience in key sectors and strategic focus have established him as a leader in business leadership and regional development.

Jessica Ruiz, Regional Corporate Sales Manager, ISS

Jessica Ruiz is an electronics engineer with over 15 years of experience in the technology industry, an expert in automation and optimization of industrial processes through integrated solutions. She has led strategic projects in multinational companies, focusing on maximizing return on investment and operational efficiency in the medium and long term. She is currently the Regional Corporate Sales Manager at ISS, where she drives commercial growth and new business generation in the corporate sector. Her career includes key positions at companies such as Convergint, G4S Technology, and Wasser, encompassing sales, business development, and project management. She holds a Master's degree in Administration with an emphasis on business from Icesi University. Her approach combines strategic vision, technological innovation, and strong leadership skills, making her an authoritative and dynamic voice for audiences interested in technology, automation, and business transformation.

Tiago Sousa Pereira, Director, ANAC - National Civil Aviation Agency, Brazil

Tiago Sousa Pereira is Director of ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency). He served for two years as the Agency's Director-President. Before joining the board, he was responsible for various superintendencies within ANAC, where he distinguished himself by leading airport concession processes and defining the Agency's governance model, which has earned him awards for good governance practices. He also worked at the Central Bank of Brazil and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Management. He is a Specialist in Public Policy and Government Management at the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, and a Professor of Economics and Regulation at the Brazilian Institute for Development, Teaching, and Research (IDP). Tiago Sousa Pereira holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Brasília – UnB.

Humberto Suárez, Business Unit Coordinator, Airports and Auxiliary Services, Mexico

Humberto Antonio Suárez Castillo graduated with a degree in Architecture from the School of Architecture at Anáhuac University, and also studied at the School of Architecture at the University of Houston, Texas.

Since May 27, 2022, he has served as Business Unit Coordinator for Airports and Auxiliary Services, a position in which he has strategically consolidated and directed activities related to airport operations, aviation fuel storage and supply services, training and instruction, consulting and technical advice, and the design and development of airport infrastructure.

Currently, as Strategic Projects Coordinator, he is working on various topics at ASA, including:

• Promoting the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Mexico.
• Development of regional airports, as well as the strengthening of the Regional Airport System.
• Expansion and modernization of fuel infrastructure.
• Consolidation of university studies in Civil Aviation at CIIASA.

ERICK URIBIO, Administrator, La Aurora International Airport

Architect, with a Master's degree in Project Management from Mariano Gálvez University. He has more than 20 years of experience in public and private institutions in areas related to strategic planning, execution, and management of road infrastructure, real estate, and transportation projects, as well as comprehensive disaster risk reduction management and public-private partnerships.

Professionally, he has worked as a planner and designer in several architectural firms. He was Deputy Director of Urban Mobility for the Municipality of Guatemala City and part of the team that designed the Transmetro (BRT system) in Guatemala. He was Deputy Director of Cooperation and Projects for CONRED and National Technical Liaison for CEPREDENAC, as well as Manager of the Metroriel project. He then became Deputy Director of Structuring and Contracting for ANADIE and was Interim Executive Director of the National Agency for Partnerships for the Development of Economic Infrastructure - ANADIE. He has also been a consultant for CEPREDENAC, INFOM, PRONACOM, DELLOITE, SEIS ARQUITECTOS, among others. He currently works as Administrator of the "La Aurora" International Airport for the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics.

Mario Guido Valverde Herrera, Director of Project Portfolio Management, PROINVERSION, Peru

Master's degree in Management and Administration of Construction and Real Estate Companies from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Master's degree in Management of Construction and Real Estate Companies from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Graduate of the Master's in Public Management from the San Martín de Porres University. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Federico Villarreal National University. He specializes in Public-Private Partnerships, Public Service Regulation, and BIM Management.

More than 15 years of experience in planning, production, quality control, and contract administration in infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors. He has a solid track record in the execution and supervision of large-scale projects, road concessions, railway projects (Lima Electric Train), and buildings.

He has led teams in construction companies, managing budgets, planning, and quality control. He held key positions at PROINVERSIÓN and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC). He served as Deputy Director and Technical Advisor on public-private partnership (PPP) projects. He is currently Project Portfolio Director at PROINVERSIÓN.

Alex Wihiler, Highway and Airport Manager, ANI - National Infrastructure Agency, Colombia

Alex Samuel Wihiler Bautista holds a Master's degree in Civil Engineering in Project Management from the Universidad de los Andes and a specialist in Road and Airstrip Design and Construction from the School of Military Engineers. He has over 20 years of professional experience as an expert and contractor for various public sector entities, serving in the planning and structuring of public-private partnership projects and private initiatives. He has led the structuring of public-private partnership projects for highways in the fourth and fifth generation of 4G and 5G concessions, and the evaluation of private airport initiatives. His notable experience includes working at INVÍAS, UNGRD, and IDEA. He currently serves as the interim Highway and Airport Manager in the Vice Presidency of Structuring at the National Infrastructure Agency.

Ramón Zambrano, Vice President of Engineering and Project Management, Tocumen International Airport, Panama

Architecture professional graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He holds a Postgraduate and Master's degree in Construction Project Management from the Technological University of Panama. He holds an International Diploma in Airport Engineering and Certification from the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City. He also holds an International Diploma in Airport Management, 11th edition, from ITAérea Business School. He has also participated in various aeronautical training courses and seminars.

Over 30 years of experience in the aeronautical and airport sector:

• Head of Architecture at the Civil Aeronautics Directorate (1991-2033).
• Head of Projects at Tocumen International Airport (2003-2012).
• Project Manager at Tocumen International Airport (2012-2015).
• Vice President of Engineering. and Project Management of Tocumen International Airport, from 2024 to date