FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Danette Ward
512.232.9605
ward@fiatech.org

FIATECH Recognizes Eight Individual’s Superior Technical Achievements in 2007  

AUSTIN, TX, April 16, 2008 - On April 1 in New Orleans, FIATECH held its Celebration of Engineering & Technology Innovation (CETI) Award Gala in conjunction with its Annual Technology Conference and Showcase: Where the Best Get Better. Part of that ceremony was the announcement of the Superior Technical Achievement Award (STAR) recipients, who were honored and recognized for their valuable contributions to FIATECH in 2007. As a result of their commitment, sacrifice and leadership, valuable tools, products and technological developments have been produced that have benefited the entire capital projects industry.

“Without the guidance and leadership of these individuals, the FIATECH consortium would not be what it is today. The work of FIATECH is done on the shoulders of our volunteers who juggle the demands of FIATECH’s projects with their day jobs, ensuring our activities and projects yield value and improve the industry’s productivity. Those of you here tonight know that, particularly in this fast-paced business environment, this has become a very tall order,” explained Ric Jackson, director of FIATECH.

Carol Amos

Carol Amos, Manager - Process Engineering, DuPont, stepped in and led FIATECH’s project in Scenario-Based Project Planning when unexpected vacancies emerged. She helped produce a product and process survey of vendor products, analyzed their software, interviewed finalists, reviewed and updated the tactical plan and produced the final deliverable for FIATECH. Carol has been diligent, focused and consistently reliable in all dealings with FIATECH.

Julian Bourne

Julian Bourne, Product and Technology Research Analyst, NRX Global, is an acknowledged expert in web security and encryption. Julian has coordinated several critical decisions points between POSC Caesar’s Intelligent Data Sheet (IDS) project and FIATECH’s Accelerating the Deployment of ISO 15926 (ADI) project, and brought them to consensus. His vast knowledge of HTTP protocols, programming skills, source code coordination between ADI and IDS are just a few things that earned him this award. He also had a key role in the deployment and configuration management of ADI products for the Reference Data System/Work-In-Progress (RDS/WIP). Julian also developed marketing materials outlining the ADI project that helped gain more support from other companies and individuals. Julian has earned the respect of the “elders” on the team, both here and abroad. He has a knack for easily breaking down complex problems and providing simple, logical solutions.

Manoj Dharwadkar

Manoj Dharwadkar, Director of Technology Management, Bentley Systems, was the founder of the Accelerating the Deployment of ISO 15926 (ADI) project and is a Bentley Champion of ISO 15926. He is a relentless sponsor of the ADI project and was the first software developer to create the new interface application with the Work-In-Progress (WIP) reference data system. Manoj has also been instrumental in “opening up” Asia to FIATECH, securing many contracts in Asia and presenting at numerous conferences on behalf of FIATECH.  His colleagues remark that although Manoj tends to be quiet and more reserved, when he speaks, everyone listens.

Darya Nabavian

Darya Nabavian, Manager of Engineering Systems, Bechtel, has been extraordinarily successful in following through with all FIATECH assignments. Although not an original member of FIATECH’s Automated Design project, she joined in, began contributing almost immediately, and now serves as the team’s co-champion.. She led the creation of the overview diagram for information exchanges, encouraged others to join in FIATECH activities and volunteered on three separate teams (contract terms, design definitions and construction use). Darya also led a team on data definitions for FIATECH’s “Information Exchange Between Design and Construction” project. Overall, Darya has been a strong contributor and a valuable addition to the project and to FIATECH as a whole.

Onno Paap

Onno Paap, Integration Manager, Fluor, is the author of ISO 15926’s Part 7 and is an expert in software development. He is the Project Manager and Steering Committee member of the ADI project and has written several RDS/WIP utilities, the initial WIP Browser, and the ISO 15926 Ontology Browser. Onno assisted in contract negotiations overseas to ensure the success of the project and was instrumental in securing additional funding for the ADI project. He is highly respected by his peers and management and FIATECH has benefited greatly from his dedication, professionalism, and hard work.

Rahul Patil

Rahul Patil, Sotware Engineer, Bentley Systems, has made several key contributions on SOAP/Web Service calls with .NET framework platform for the RDS/WIP project. He has written interfacing software for RDS/WIP and Bentley Class Editor and is an expert in ISO 15926. Rahul’s leadership within the RDS/WIP project has been critical to the success of that project.

Nicole Testa

No one has done more to make FIATECH a success than Nicole Testa, FIATECH’s Deputy Director. She is organized, professional, motivated, hard-working, an excellent manager, and is always on top of all critical details. Nicole’s management of all operational and financial aspects of FIATECH keeps the organization running smoothly.  In addition, she contributes significantly to each of the technical programs, especially the Capital Projects Technology Roadmap project. As Deputy Director, she shares responsibility with the Director, Ric Jackson, for the overall success of the organization. FIATECH simply would not be where it is without her.

Jorge Vanegas

Jorge Vanegas, Director and Professor, Center for Housing & Urban Development, Texas A&M, is a staunch supporter of FIATECH. He is a tremendous motivational and inspirational speaker, a talented organizer and was the first academic member of FIATECH’s Board of Directors. Jorge has led multiple workshops for FIATECH related to the Capital Projects Technology Roadmap, and is assisting us in developing a presence in South America. He is a trusted and intelligent advisor and has helped shape what FIATECH is today.

For more information on the STAR award and last year’s recipients, visit www.fiatech.org/events/awards/star.html. The 2008 STAR awards will be given April 28 in Las Vegas.