Speakers

AGS Podcast

09th - 10th Nov 2020

Topics that will be discussed: Weathering the storm and overcoming the challenges of COVID-19 – Lessons learned and preparing for a second wave and then Vaccines How the various quick decisions, support from regulators and governments as well as representative bodies help and facilitated necessary collaboration and concession.?  Sustainability? What more can Airports now do

Fabio Gamba
Fabio Gamba
Airline Catering Association (ACA) & Airport Services Association (ASA)
Fabio Gamba is a seasoned manager in Air Transport, with more than 20 years in the industry. Gamba started his career at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) upon his return to Geneva in the late 90s, then joined The Boeing Company as a Deputy Director Air Traffic Management in Brussels. Gamba proceeded with the position of Deputy SG of the now defunct Association of European Airlines (AEA), before leading the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) during six years until 2016. He is currently managing two Associations in parallel, namely the Airline Catering Association (ACA) based in Belgium, and the Airport Services Association (ASA) based in Switzerland. 
Thomas Konietzko
Thomas Konietzko
Celebi Aviation
Mr. Konietzko completed his MBA in the University of Denver in USA. He has an outstanding career track in sales and marketing area across different industries including ground handling. He worked as Operations Manager at Hapag-Lloyd Inc. in Chicago, Illinois (1996-1998); Team Leader at World Trade Center in Denver, Colorado (1998-1999); Director of International Operations at GAKO International AG inZurich, Switzerland (1999-2006): International market Development Manager at CWS-BOCO International in Baar, Switzerland (2006-2008): Director roles in key account management and business development functions at Hilti AG in Zurich, Switzerland (2008-2013); Vice President Global Key Account Management (2013-2016) and Vice President Commercial Africa & Middle East (2016-2018) at Swissport International Ltd. in Zürich, Switzerland.Currently, Mr. Konietzko serves as Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing in Celebi Aviation Holding.
Nikki Ozols
Nikki Ozols
Volare Aviation & My Heli Limited
Nikki has managed to notch up 8 years in the aviation industry in various roles, starting off as a Compliance Auditor at Flybe in 2012, to Head of Safety and Compliance at Volare Aviation today. She strayed away from safety and compliance and into airport operations a couple of times now but always ends up coming back! Inside of work, she is a big advocate of smart and strong women supporting each other in the workplace. Outside of work, catch her over a glass of red for a chat about supporting positive mental health, or environmental sustainability - your choice!
Mete Erna
Mete Erna
Havas Ground Handling
Mete Erna began his professional life in the aviation industry in 1995 at Havas. Undertaking several positions at various airlines and ground handling companies in Turkey, and abroad, Erna re-joined Havaş in 2014 and continued his role in sales, marketing, and business development operations. Erna worked as the Deputy General Manager in charge of Sales and Marketing since October 2017 and was assigned as Acting General Manager of Havas from July 1st, 2020, and as General Manager as from October 1st, 2020.
Woo Kam Weng
Woo Kam Weng
Independent
With more than 40 years of experience in the aviation ground handling industry, Mr. Woo retired from his last position as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of POS Aviation Sdn Bhd in January 2021. As the key management personnel of the aviation company, he played an instrumental role in developing the world’s first Digital Free Trade Zone outside China, creating the roadmap for a regional logistics and e-commerce hub. He has also successfully led the company through the most successful period in its history through unlocking the achievements of three highly profitable years, with Pos Aviation appointed as ground handler for 7 of the top 10 airlines of the world. He was the Asia Pacific representative on the Board of Airport Services Association based in Geneva. Furthermore, he was also responsible for the management and operations of the subsidiary, POS Asia Cargo Express and headed the setup of Joint Venture companies between POS Aviation and other global players. An advocate of Digital Transformation, he established the company’s innovative programs which were recognised by Microsoft as one of the success stories, culminating in winning the Malaysia Technology Excellence Award 2021 He believes everyone has talent which will fit a certain role in any organisations. The ability to unlock and unleash that talent is the mark of a true leader. Having of steered the company safely through the through unprecedented turbulent times of the Covid pandemic whilst still maintaining operational and financial integrity, he has gained greater insights into transformational leadership. The Future Leaders will need to develop Foresight Thinking and the ability to create innovation with agile thinking skills. Leveraging technology, guided by insight data-driven decisions, developing work competencies and nurturing talent are key success factors to future-proofing organisations. Prior to his position as the CEO, he had also served in various capacities and capabilities which include the Head of Commercial Support, Head of Business Development & Integrated Logistics, and Aircraft & Engineering Manager of the company since 1997. Throughout his career, he has received/attained several appreciation letters and technical certifications relevant to the industry. He has been invited to speak at international conferences specifically on innovation, digital transformation and foresight thinking in the e-commerce, logistics & aviation industry. Other than that, he is also an Associate member of Malaysian Institute of Management. He was awarded the Bank Negara Gold Medal Winner in 1997 for his academic achievements in Diploma in Malaysia at Malaysian Institute of Management. In addition to that, he also previously held an aircraft maintenance engineers licence for various aircraft types.
Amr Samir
Amr Samir
Link Aero Trading Agency
Amr Samir is chief executive officer of Link Aero Trading Agency, a leading company in ground handling activities, and chairman of the Link Group holding company. He started his aviation career representing Hapag Lloyd Flug, in Egypt, which gave him the vision to create LATA in Egypt in 1992. He later expanded into Jordan, UAE, Morocco and several other countries worldwide. By 2010 LATA expanded into creating Link Cargo Freight Forwarding, Link Dynamics for security equipment and services, as well as Link Marine for maritime services. His vision is based on diversification to sustain competition and to keep promoting new and innovative systems to the services rendered.
Robert Williams
Robert Williams
Norwegian Red Handling
Robert began his aviation career with Servisair at Leeds Bradford before joining the British Airways graduate programme in 2008. Following roles in operations, HR and sales his career took him to Gatwick Airport where he worked in the commercial operations team looking after a range of critical operational suppliers. More recently, in 2019, Robert joined Norwegian as Head of Planning and Commercial Development for their self-handling unit, Red Handling, based at Gatwick. Aside from aviation, Roberts passions include rowing and generally being outdoors (when the weather permits). Recently he ran the Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea, a trip which included his most interesting airline experience – Air Koryo.
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