SPEAKERS

JOSE BLANC, PROJECT COORDINATOR, Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Paraguay

He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE) in Mexico City. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the National University of Asunción (FIUNA). He has extensive experience in the formulation, management, and execution of investment projects in both the public and private sectors.

He currently works as Project Coordinator in the Strategic Projects Directorate (DIPE) of the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development (MOPC), where he has participated in the structuring processes of privately financed projects.

KAREN CABALLERO, National Deputy Director of Studies and Designs, Ministry of Public Works, Panama

Civil Engineer from the Technological University of Panama. Master's degree in Concrete Engineering and PhD in Construction Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain.

National Deputy Director of Studies and Designs at the Ministry of Public Works, where her responsibilities include drafting and formulating technical documents for Panama's road infrastructure bidding projects. She also analyzes and gathers information on the current state of the country's road network and its degree of deterioration.

Active member of the Permanent Advisory Committee of the Panamanian Structural Regulations of the Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture of Panama. Certified by ASEP as a national consultant for the Structural Safety of Hydraulic Dams in Panama. Specialist in Structural Pathology.

Writer of scientific articles and research related to the behavior of reinforced concrete structural elements.

Rodrigo Garín, Head of the Project Development and Tendering Division, Ministry of Public Works, Chile

A commercial engineer with over 23 years of experience in the development and management of infrastructure projects under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework. He has held various roles in the General Directorate of Concessions of the Ministry of Public Works, where in recent years he has served as Head of the Urban Projects Department and Deputy Head of the Project Development and Tendering Division. These positions have allowed him to play a leading role in the study, planning, bidding, and successful award of various road, transportation, and public construction projects.

Ricardo Icaza Huertas, Secretary General, Ministry of Public Works, Panama

Ricardo Enrique Icaza Huertas holds a law degree from the University of Panama and has a solid track record in the legal field, both in the public and private sectors. He has worked as a corporate lawyer, with experience in public procurement, vessel registration, civil and commercial proceedings, and contract drafting and negotiation.

In the public sector, he has held various positions of responsibility, including legal advisor to the Ministry of Public Works, president of the Valuation Commission, advisor to the Ministry of Security and the National Police, head of the Legal Advisory Department of the Santo Tomás Hospital Board of Trustees, and administrator of Customs in the Northern and Airport Zones.

He currently serves as Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works of Panama. He is also actively involved in trade unions as a member of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CoNEP).

Rodrigo Mujica, General Manager, CyD Ingeniería

With more than 25 years of professional experience and 22 at CyD Ingeniería, Rodrigo Mujica Barros has been General Manager of the company since 2022. A civil Engineer from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, he has led the institutional strengthening and regional projection of CyD, contributing to its consolidation as a reference in the development of infrastructure in Latin America. His management style is distinguished by a strategic vision focused on innovation and excellence, promoting the expansion of the company in countries such as Peru, Colombia, and Paraguay. Rodrigo combines a close and collaborative leadership style with the promotion of high standards of governance, fostering talent development, teamwork and the establishment of strong relationships with clients and partners. Under his leadership, CyD Ingeniería reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable development of the region to improve the quality of life of communities.

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.

MAURICIO SOJO QUESADA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ROAD COUNCIL (CONAVI), COSTA RICA

Civil Engineer with over 14 years of experience in planning, supervising, and executing road infrastructure projects nationwide. He has led multiple contracts related to road maintenance, demarcation, pavement rehabilitation, and construction of major works such as bridges and retaining walls. He has served as Regional Director, Deputy Manager of Maintenance, and is currently Executive Director of the National Road Council. He has extensive experience in project management, budget administration, and management of the Pavement Management System. His academic background includes a Master's degree in Highway Engineering and a specialization in Project Management and Administrative Contracting. He is noted for his leadership, responsibility, and teamwork skills.

Alex Villacrés, Vice Minister of Transportation Infrastructure and Public Works, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, Ecuador

- Coastal and Port Engineer, Escuela Politécnica del Litoral (1991), "La Filantrópica" Award.

- Civil Engineer, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil (1993), Highest Graduation Average.

- IGN Fellow (Ecuador), UNI (Peru), University of Calabria (Italy), Matsumae (Japan), Laspau-Fullbright (USA), Dean of Engineering, UC Berkeley (1998).

- Master of Science in Engineering, University of California Berkeley.

- Former President of the APG (2007-2008).

- Former Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime and River Transport of Ecuador (2008-2009).

- Structures Supervisor of the CAF-BEDE Unit of the Municipality of Guayaquil (1998-2001).

- Head of Engineering at the Guayaquil Port Authority (APG) (2002-2003).

- Member of the Board of Directors of APG and CEDEGE (2005-2006).

- Undergraduate and master's professor at the Universities ESPOL, UCSG, UEES, and ULVR of Guayaquil and Samborondón (1991-2023).