Andrew Excell, Acting CEO and Deputy Executive Director Transport Planning and Program Development - Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
Andrew Excell has over 30 years experience in the areas of regional road operations, delivery of major infrastructure projects, metropolitan road network management and Portfolio, Program and Project Management. He has held various roles in Senior Management within the Department for Infrastructure and Transport from the Regional Manager Metropolitan Region, Manager of Traffic Operations including the Traffic Management Centre, Director of the Portfolio, Program and Project Management Office, Director, Transport Network and Investment Strategy and currently Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director, Transport Strategy and Planning Division. In his current role Andrew is accountable for the development of longer-term strategies for the development of the transport system to improve mobility and productivity across South Australia and for developing a pipeline of viable infrastructure projects.

Mitchell Allen, Principal Pavement Engineer - Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
Mitchell Allen is the Principal Pavement Engineer at South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). With a background in asphalt construction and pavement design consulting, he now provides technical oversight across DIT’s pavement projects. Mitchell works on major infrastructure programs and alliances, as well as smaller-scale projects, supporting the delivery of durable, efficient, sustainable and context-driven pavement solutions.

Scott Young – Technical Manager – Stabilised Pavements of Australia
Scott is the National Technical Manager for Stabilised Pavements of Australia and also holds the position of Principal Engineer (Pavements) for SPA’s pavement engineering consultancy, SP Design. Scott is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer with RPEQ and RPEV accreditation and holds a Master of Pavements. Scott has been in the roads industry for almost 30 years and is a past director and President of Australia’s national association, AustStab. He was granted Honorary membership to AustStab in 2023 for his contributions to the industry. Scott is currently convenor of AustStab’s National Technical Working Group.

Cameron Bik - General Manager NSW/ACT – Coffey Testing
Cameron is the General Manager for Coffey Testing - NSW/ACT. He has been involved in insitu stabilisation pavement design and laboratory trials for the past 18 years working closely with multiple local government organisations to assist them with their pavement rehabilitation programs.

Allen Browne - Executive General Manager – Technical & Innovation – Hiway
As Executive General Manager Technical and Innovation for the Hiway Group, Allen leads the professional services team on both sides of the Tasman, focusing on maximising recycling and developing innovative processes and equipment and navigating differences in materials, design protocols and specifications. Allen is a Fellow of ENZ and registered in NZ and Aus, having worked in Civil Engineering for 39 years and coming from a family of Civil Engineers where both his children, brother and father all share the profession.

Lokanantham Logitharan, Senior Project Manager - Department of Transport and Main Roads
Logi is a construction professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry across Singapore and Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc.Eng) and multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master of Project Management (MSc.PM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Business Law (MBL). His expertise lies in integrating sustainability principles and reducing construction waste through lean methodologies. Logi has led large-scale infrastructure projects, driving innovation and efficiency through strong leadership and strategic management. Focused on delivering cost-effective and sustainable outcomes, he consistently provides practical solutions aligned with industry best practices and the evolving needs of modern infrastructure development.

Dr. Javad Yaghoubi, Principal - Geotechnical Engineering, National Transport Research Organisation
Dr. Yaghoubi, BSc, MEngSc, PhD, NER, RPEV, is a Principal Professional at NTRO with over 15 years of combined academic and industry experience in pavement and geotechnical engineering. His research emphasises the valorisation of recycled materials and industrial by-products for sustainable transport infrastructure, contributing to circular economy frameworks. He leads multidisciplinary projects involving performance-based specification development, feasibility studies and field trials, and capacity-building programs for practitioners. Dr. Yaghoubi has delivered technical solutions and strategic guidance to government and private stakeholders, integrating sustainability principles with advanced geotechnical and pavement engineering methodologies. 

Tony Aloisio - Chief Executive Officer - Australian Flexible Pavement Association
An infrastructure industry leader with over 30 years of experience, Tony has held senior roles in the private sector as a General Manager in the Construction Materials and Civil Contracting sectors. From 2012 to 2020 Tony held the dual roles of General Manager Corporate Services and National Safety Manager for Fulton Hogan Australia, leading disciplines of HR, environment and quality, and developing and implementing the national safety strategy. Prior to this Tony was The General Manager of Boral Asphalt in Vic/Tas, with full responsibility for business performance and growth. Tony secured and led the successful delivery of major projects at Eastlink and Peninsula Link, whilst continuing to grow and develop ongoing business operations.

Thorsten Froebel - Senior Principal Engineer - Downer Transport and Infrastructure - New Zealand
Thorsten began working with Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation (FBS) in 1997 with Loudon International in South Africa, followed by five years with Wirtgen in Germany, applying FBS globally. He moved to New Zealand in 2004, introducing the first modern FBS-capable stabiliser and contributing to NZTA’s pavement design and construction standards through national technical groups. Over the past 20 years, he has led the pavement design on numerous Greenfields and Rehabilitation D&C projects. Currently, Thorsten is the Senior Principal Pavements Engineer at Downer New Zealand and has spent the past year as design lead for the T2W accelerated program, which he will present on today.

Allen Browne - Executive General Manager – Technical & Innovation – HIWAY
As Executive General Manager Technical and Innovation for the Hiway Group, Allen leads the professional services team on both sides of the Tasman, focusing on maximising recycling and developing innovative processes and equipment and navigating differences in materials, design protocols and specifications. Allen is a Fellow of ENZ and registered in NZ and Aus, having worked in Civil Engineering for 39 years and coming from a family of Civil Engineers where both his children, brother and father all share the profession.

Blake Henry - Queensland University of Technology
Blake Henry is a civil engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Business. He has worked across major infrastructure projects, including wind farm developments and public road upgrades, with experience in pavements, drainage, and bulk earthworks. Blake has a strong interest in sustainable civil design, particularly in the stabilisation of problematic soils for pavement applications. His recent research focuses on improving the performance and durability of road subgrades through targeted material treatments, contributing to more resilient and cost-effective infrastructure outcomes.

Damian Volker - Director for the Pavements Rehabilitation Section of the Queensland -Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR)
Damian joined DTMR over 20 years ago as a Cadet Materials Technologist, spending the first half of his career in the TMR laboratories, also performing detailed pavement investigations and as an asphalt Roadworks Inspector. This foundation developed a valuable understanding and knowledge of material properties and failure mechanisms. With a mind for innovation and environmentally sustainable solutions, Damian has provided valuable technical input into all aspects of stabilisation projects, including detailed pavement investigations, design, testing, construction, training, performance research and development of DTMR specifications. 

Dr Greg White, Director of the Airport Pavement Research Program, University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Greg White is the Director of the Airport Pavement Research Program at the University of the Sunshine Coast.  Following a career as an Airfield Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, Greg worked for a number of leading Australian design consultants as a Principal Airport Pavement Engineer and then as the Technical Manager Airports for one of Australia’s leading airport construction and surfacing companies.  Greg holds a number of Masters level degrees, as well as a PhD, all earned in the area of pavement materials and engineering.

Jim Mahood, Senior Asset Engineer, Sydney Western Parkland Road Asset Performance Contract, Ventia
Jim Mahood is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Asset Manager with over 40 years experience in Transport Infrastructure Operations and Management. He has filled engineering roles in Road Asset Management, Stabilisation, Asphalt and Rail Operations and is passionate about optimizing the value of assets through delivering innovative and sustainable engineering practice.

Michael Caltabiano, CEO, National Transport Research Organisation
Michael Caltabiano was appointed Chief Executive of the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) in November 2016. Mr Caltabiano brings to the role of Chief Executive extensive experience in the construction sector, flexible pavement and bituminous surfacing industry and Government. NTRO is the trusted knowledge partner for Local, State and Federal Governments delivering their infrastructure standards and next generation infrastructure outcomes. Michael brings more than 35 years of experience, and great enthusiasm for the roads and transport sector with a particular focus on creating knowledge for tomorrow’s transport challenges and driving innovation to deliver a sustainable, smart, safe and connected future.

André Greyling, Managing Director, Loudon International Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd
André Greyling is a registered Professionally Civil Engineer in South Africa and has worked in the road construction industry for the last 24 years. He graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 2001 and he completed his master’s degree in Pavements Engineering in 2012. He is currently the Managing Director of Loudon International Consulting Engineers who specialises in engaging with international industry organisations, client bodies, consulting engineers and contractors to promote and utilise recycling as the preferred approach to rehabilitating distressed pavements. Loudon International has been fulfilling this role for almost 30 years and has projects experience in more than 50 countries across the globe.

Cleto de Carvalho Filho,Engineer Paving Consultant, Grade Engenharia Ltd
Cleto de Carvalho Filho is a Civil Engineer with over 27 years of experience specializing in pavement engineering, asphalt mix design, and road rehabilitation. He holds a Master’s degree in Geotechnics and Pavements from UFPE and leads Grade Engenharia Ltda, a consulting firm in Brazil. Cleto has worked extensively across the Brazilian federal highway system, with expertise in emulsified mixtures, cold recycling, and Grave Emulsion techniques. His work bridges practical field solutions with sustainable technologies adapted to tropical climates. An active contributor to international conferences, Cleto has presented research in the USA, Norway, Greece, and Brazil, and continues to advocate for performance-based, cost-effective pavement solutions in developing regions

Stephane Charmot, Technical Director, Structural Roadway Technologies, Ingevity Corporation
Stephane has been involved with pavement engineering for 30 years, which includes 12 years in Asia. His experience is related to the implementation of cost-effective maintenance and rehabilitation technologies. RAP usage, hot and cold recycling, Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), Balanced Mix Design (BMD) and asphalt emulsion-based technologies are key focus areas of his. Stephane has been involved with the construction of more than 100 cold recycling projects in the USA and Asia. Stephane oversees the structural pavement R&D team at Ingevity headquarters in North Charleston, SC, USA. Stephane is passionate about conducting research that can result in sustainable solutions.

Damien Edwards, Technical Manager - Australia, Hiway Group (Convenor)
Damien is the National Technical Manager for Australia, working for Hiways Group. His experience has been gained through working in local government, state government, consulting, and construction companies. Over the past 23 years Damien has developed his technical skills in civil engineering by working on complex projects being involved at all the different phases, from planning to implementation. His career has been focused on pavement design and engineering/construction. His skills sets lie in pavement design and assessments of heavy-duty pavements and roads whilst focusing on recycling through stabilisation of existing materials using a range of binders. Prior to joining Hiway Stabilizers, Damien was Technical Manager for Fulton Hogan in South Australia managing quality and systems and providing technical advice on specifications and managing laboratories for asphalt plants in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Damien is the Convenor of AustStab’s South Australian Working Group.

Dr Daniel Ainalis, Senior Technology Leader, National Transport Research Organisation
Dr Daniel Ainalis leads the Life Cycle and Economic Assessment Portfolio within the Sustainability and Materials Performance group at the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO). His portfolio consists of economists, engineers and sustainability experts who deliver applied research, develop bespoke life cycle assessment tools and economic models, and provide expert technical advice for governments and industry that drives sustainable transport infrastructure outcomes. He has extensive experience leading and working on a variety of national and international projects related to the decarbonisation and sustainability of road transport and infrastructure, with several projects focussed on modelling and assessing the life cycle impacts (economics, energy and emissions) of vehicles, fuels, and infrastructure. He has led and co-authored numerous technical reports, white papers, and academic publications and has presented at several national and international conferences and events. He is a board member of the international Heavy Vehicle Transport & Technology (HVTT) Forum and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling, Imperial College London, UK.

Dr Arooran Rajah, Principal Engineer - Pavement Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
Dr Arooran Rajah currently serves as Principal Engineer in the Pavement Rehabilitation Unit at the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Prior to joining TMR in 2024, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Industrial Transformation Research Hub on Smart Pavements (SPARC Hub), where he led a portfolio of collaborative R&D projects involving eight Australian universities and over twenty industry partners. He has delivered high-impact innovations and practical solutions to complex pavement challenges, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and aligning with value engineering and sustainability goals. Dr Rajah brings extensive technical expertise in specialised testing, design, condition monitoring, and rehabilitation of road pavements. His current research and development areas include bitumen emulsion stabilisation, foamed bitumen, marginal materials, and intelligent construction technologies. To date, Dr Rajah has authored/co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed technical publications and book chapters, contributing to the advancement of pavement engineering knowledge and practice.

Trevor Distin, Technical Marketing Consultant, COLAS Australia
Joined the COLAS Australia Group in 2016 as the Group Technical and Marketing Manager having held a similar role with COLAS in Southern Africa. He has over 39 years’ experience in the development, manufacture and construction of bituminous materials. Currently working for Colas as a technical marketing consultant whilst still serving on the Austroads and AfPA’s national technical committees for Asphalt, Surfacings and Sustainability. Holds a Masters Diploma in Civil Engineering and Bachelors Degree of Commerce.

Tanja Conners, Chief Executive Officer - AustStab
Tanja Conners is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pavement Recycling and Stabilisation Association , where she leads national efforts to advance sustainable and resilient road infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Tanja began her career in construction with a Fabrication Engineering Trade, bringing a hands-on foundation to her leadership approach. Her expertise spans education and capability development, leadership and management facilitation, and strategic project delivery, particularly in business transformation and change management. Over the past year, she has continued to drive the growth and recognition of pavement recycling and stabilisation as key solutions in Australia’s transport infrastructure
strategy.

Damian Volker - Director for the Pavements Rehabilitation Section of the Queensland -Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR)
Damian joined DTMR over 20 years ago as a Cadet Materials Technologist, spending the first half of his career in the TMR laboratories, also performing detailed pavement investigations and as an asphalt Roadworks Inspector. This foundation developed a valuable understanding and knowledge of material properties and failure mechanisms. With a mind for innovation and environmentally sustainable solutions, Damian has provided valuable technical input into all aspects of stabilisation projects, including detailed pavement investigations, design, testing, construction, training, performance research and development of DTMR specifications. 

Paul Morgan, Director and Principal Consultant - Pavement Asset Services Pty Ltd
Paul has worked as a civil engineer for more than 30 years, with experience in university research, State Government and engineering consulting. His early career focused on forming a strong basis with technical aspects of pavement and geotechnical engineering, including investigation & testing, analysis & design, materials & specifications, and construction & environmental issues. His senior roles further strengthened his technical expertise, including managing DIT’s Pavements Engineering Unit, complete with a materials laboratory and field testing group, and representing DIT on National Austroads committees. During this period he also applied his extensive knowledge to high level contractual, commercial, strategic, policy, asset management and operational aspects of roads. Paul founded Pavement Asset Services in 2016, where he is a Director and technical lead, bringing his wealth of expertise to public and private sector clients across any industry with roads, runways and pavements. He also takes pleasure in teaching the next generation, both within and outside of PAS. 

Geoff Webb, Director - PEECE Pty Ltd
eoff Webb has been consulting since 1996 offering services in pavement engineering and infrastructure asset management to government and private sector clients. Before consulting, he was the technical & quality manager at Roadways Pty Ltd and before that held various technical roles in quarry materials, concrete and asphalt manufacture. Geoff currently serves on the Academic Board and the Learning Teaching Curriculum Committee for the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (CPEE) and has been delivering training for CPEE with its partners including AustStab for many years. Geoff is a Fellow of IPWEA and is active on several state and national management boards including the Road Engineering Association of Asia & Australasia REAAA, EA’s Transport Australia Society, the Australian Geomechanics Society, and Consult Australia. He is a member of EA’s Asset Management Council, the Concrete Institute of Australia, the Institute of Asset Management UK, and AustStab. He formerly served as the Tasmanian state secretary and technical committee chair for AfPA and has contributed to Australian Standards and Austroads committees.

Ben Clark, Director Works & Engineering Service - The Barossa Council
Ben Clark is an experienced public infrastructure leader based in South Australia. As Director of Infrastructure & Environmental Services at The Barossa Council, he oversees vital areas including parks, roads, stormwater, wastewater, construction, environmental management, and asset maintenance. He holds a Bachelor of Sustainable Environments and GIS, a Master of Surveying (Cadastral & Engineering) from the University of South Australia, and an MBA from RMIT. Ben has played a key leadership role within the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA), serving as Vice President (2019–2021), President (2021–2023), and now as a board member. His work has earned national recognition, including the IPWEA Emerging Leader Award (2019), the National Asset Management Award, and selection as the first international participant in the American Public Works Association Emerging Leaders Program.

Stephane Charmot, Technical Director, Structural Roadway Technologies, Ingevity Corporation
Stephane has been involved with pavement engineering for 30 years, which includes 12 years in Asia. His experience is related to the implementation of cost-effective maintenance and rehabilitation technologies. RAP usage, hot and cold recycling, Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), Balanced Mix Design (BMD) and asphalt emulsion-based technologies are key focus areas of his. Stephane has been involved with the construction of more than 100 cold recycling projects in the USA and Asia. Stephane oversees the structural pavement R&D team at Ingevity headquarters in North Charleston, SC, USA. Stephane is passionate about conducting research that can result in sustainable solutions.