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.

Alejandro Calderón, Information Technology Sales Consultant, INTEXUS

Alejandro Calderón Martínez is a Systems Engineer with an MBA specializing in Digital Transformation and Business Intelligence. He has led innovative technology projects for multiple organizations in the public and private sectors in Latin America, focused on process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and the implementation of technical, functional, and economic models that boost profitability and competitiveness in complex digital environments.

Throughout his career, Alejandro has developed digital identity ecosystems that integrate artificial intelligence and process automation, using models based on biometric services. These solutions have strengthened fraud prevention and operational efficiency in both in-person and remote channels, enabling Latin American companies to advance their digital transformation with high standards of security, technological innovation, and digital trust.

Bladimir Castilla Nieto, Advisor to the General Directorate, Colombian Civil Aeronautics

Strategic manager with over 20 years of experience managing mega-infrastructure projects (airports, transportation). He is an expert in PPPs, concession contracts, and operational management. He led operations at Ernesto Cortissoz Airport and contract management at the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) at El Dorado International Airport. He holds a degree in Economics and an MBA, specializing in transportation law, finance, and regional development. He is proficient in PMI, BIM, and stakeholder negotiation.

Emerson Castro Hidalgo, Advisor to the Executive Director, Proinversión, Peru

Emerson Castro currently serves as Advisor to the Executive Director at ProInversión. Previously, he served as Director General of Private Investment Promotion Policy at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and was also Director of the Project Portfolio Department at ProInversión.

Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions at the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, accumulating solid experience in the management, execution, and monitoring of investment projects, as well as in the management of concession contracts in multimodal infrastructure and public services.

He holds a 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.

Juan Pablo Franco, Director, General Directorate of Civil Aviation, Ecuador

Born in Guayaquil, he is 39 years old and holds a degree in Law from the Courts of the Republic of Ecuador from the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo. He is also a private pilot.

He holds a minor in National and International Corporate Law, a specialty in Customs, and a degree in Customs Facilitation for Trade. He has also participated in specialized courses and seminars on conflict mediation in family businesses, negotiation and judicial mediation, and the status of the State regarding the resolutions of international organizations.

He has participated in international symposia and workshops on Forensic Sciences; Legal Medicine; the Ibero-American Congress of Constitutional Procedural Law; and the "Dr. Jorge Zavala Baquerizo" World Congress of Criminology, among others.

He was a Tax Legal Advisor at the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation; Professor of Aeronautical Legislation; Director of the Customs, Tax, and Aeronautical Law Departments; Chief of Operations and General Manager of Línea Aérea y Servicios S.A., and former Deputy Director of the Litoral Zone.

ALEJANDRO GOMEZ DE CUENCA, EXPERT CONSULTANT IN DIGITAL IDENTITY AND SECURITY,

Alejandro Gómez de Cuenca has more than 25 years of international experience across five continents. He is recognized as a global expert in national identity solutions, Digital Identity, Border and Visa Control Systems, Biometric Solutions, and critical platforms, among others. Alejandro has successfully led more than 40 projects, technology alliances, and strategic operations worldwide.

His achievements include co-founding Avalon Biometrics, a systems integrator specializing in solutions for the national security market, which was later acquired by Gemalto/Thales, a Forbes Global 2000 firm.

He has held executive roles at leading companies such as Thales, Gemalto, and Siemens, leading corporate strategy, sales, business development, and operations worldwide. His background also encompasses emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, and he holds certifications from the Blockchain Training Alliance, as well as executive training from MIT Sloan and Stanford University.

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.

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.

Fabio Paim, Operational Technology SME for the Caribbean and Central America, Fortinet

Fabio Paim is an industrial cybersecurity leader and ISA/IEC 62443 security expert. He has been at Fortinet for over 10 years and held multiple technical and sales positions across the Americas. In his current role, he is the Operational Technology SME for the Caribbean and Central America, assisting customers in securing their ICS/SCADA critical infrastructure environments while safely rolling out Digital Transformation initiatives. Prior to joining Fortinet, Fabio led the IT/OT infrastructure and security teams in a global chemical manufacturing organization, what gave him a broader understanding of the business trade-offs associated to cyber risk management. Before that, he worked for Siemens Enterprise delivering cyber/networking technical sales and professional services to a variety of industrial and government customers.

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.

Mónica Prieto, Business Development Manager, GENETEC

Mónica Prieto Vidarte, a Mechatronics Engineer with a specialization in Strategic Management, has over 20 years of experience in the security industry. She possesses extensive knowledge in access control systems, video management, fire detection, intrusion systems, and signal integration platforms through IIoT.

She has worked with leading manufacturers in the sector such as General Electric, UTC, IndigoVision, and Johnson Controls. She is currently serving as the Business Development Manager for the Andean Region, Central America, and the Caribbean at Genetec.

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.

ELIAS SANTANA, VICE MINISTER OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS, DOMINICAN REP.

Civil Engineer with a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, professor in the area of budgeting and construction programming at the Universidad Central del Este for more than 20 years, Technical Director of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) from 2020 to 2022 and Vice Minister of Road Infrastructure from 2022 to the present, Appraiser member of the Dominican Institute of Appraisers (ITADO) and the Pan-American Union of Appraisers (UPAV). He has developed real estate projects and taken numerous courses on appraisal topics.

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.

Alberto Smith, Director of Operations Land Side & Cargo, Punta Cana Airport Dominican Republic

Director Operations Landside & Cargo at the Punta Cana Airport with an experience of 16 years providing a world class experience for the passengers.

Prior to be part of the airport Team, Mr. Smith was the Managing Director of Operations at Cap Cana and in addition 20 years of experience in management’s positions in the hotel Industry in different countries throughout the Caribbean and South America.

Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management from the Universidad Iberoamericana (Unibe), an MBA – UNIBE-FIU in International Business, an Advanced Hospitality Management Certification at Cornell University. Certified by the Airport Management Professionals Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) sponsored by the Airport Council International (ACI) as an International Airport Professional (IAP) becoming part of a very exclusive elite of airport professionals around the world.

Member of the World Facilitation & Service Standing Committee (WF&SSC) of the ACI, Customer Advisory Board (CAB) SITA,  and member of the ACI-LAC Board.

Flavio de Stéfano Arias, Business Development Director, Nora by Interface LATAM

Flavio is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in developing solutions for critical infrastructure, particularly in the airport sector across Latin America. He currently leads the regional growth of Nora by Interface, focusing on resilient rubber flooring for airport terminals, operational zones, logistics centers, and high-traffic or critical areas. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with airport authorities, architectural firms, and specialized engineering teams, contributing to the specification of materials that meet international standards for safety, hygiene, and sustainability. His expertise spans from enhancing passenger experience through terminal upgrades to implementing technical solutions in sensitive areas such as security checkpoints, machine rooms, and airport data centers. With a comprehensive understanding of the design-construction-operation cycle, Flavio combines technical knowledge with B2B commercial strategies to deliver efficient, durable solutions aligned with the evolving demands of the airport industry.

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, Guatemala

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.

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