J. Scott Marcus is Director, Department Manager and Senior Consultant for WIK. Mr. Marcus is a widely recognized and well published generalist in the regulatory policy, economics and technology of telecommunications. Mr Marcus is a seasoned project manager who has led numerous prestigious projects for the European Parliament and the European Commission, including two 2013 studies on the Digital Single Market for the European Parliament. He previously served as Senior Advisor for Internet Technology for the FCC, a position at the same level as the FCC’s Chief Economist and Chief Technologist. Prior to that, he was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Genuity, Inc. (GTE Internetworking), one of the largest Internet backbone operators in the world at the time. In 2004, he was attached to the European Commission (DG INFSO) as a Transatlantic Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Mr. Marcus holds a B.A. in Political Science (Public Administration) from the City College of New York and an M.S. from the School of Engineering Columbia University. Mr. Marcus is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Communications and Media program at the Florence School of Regulation (FSR), a unit of the European Union Institute (EUI) / Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS). He is also a Fellow of GLOCOM (the Center for Global Communications, a research institute of the International University of Japan). A Senior Member of the IEEE, he served as co-editor for public policy and regulation for IEEE Communications Magazine, on the board of the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN) from 2000 to 2002, on the Meetings and Conference Board of the IEEE Communications Society from 2001 through 2005, and was Chair of IEEE CNOM. He is the author of numerous papers and of the book Designing Wide Area Networks and Internetworks: A Practical Guide, Addison Wesley, 1999. Much of his published work is interdisciplinary, combining public policy, economic, and technological analysis.

Asta Sihvonen-Punkka is the Director General of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) since March 2011. Before that, between July 1998 - February 2011, she held the position of Director General of the Energy Market Authority, the Finnish regulator for electricity and gas markets as well as the emissions trading authority. Prior to that, she worked at the Finnish Competition Authority between 1989-1998, occupying various positions. Ms. Sihvonen-Punkka graduated from the Helsinki School of Economics, majoring in economics in 1985. She holds a master's degree from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki. While working with the Energy Market Authority, Ms. Sihvonen-Punkka had an active role in the European energy regulators' co-operation. Between December 2005 and February 2011 she acted as Chair of the Common Electricity Working Group of the two European co-operation organisations of energy regulators and, furthermore, she was the Vice-Chair of the European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas (ERGEG) and Vice-President of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER).

Lidia Kozłowska was appointed Deputy President of the Office of Electronic Communications in Poland (UKE) by the Minister for Administration and Digitisation in April 2012. A graduate from the Warsaw University of Technology, she has a degree in telecommunications engineering. Throughout her professional career, she has worked within the telecom sector. In 1996, she started working for Netia and, when leaving the company in 2000, she had advanced to the position of Deputy Executive Director for Marketing. She then worked as the Vice President for Marketing at Energis, now known as GTS. In 2003 she was appointed Director for Business Clients at Telekomunikacja Polska (Orange). Before her appointment as Deputy President of UKE, she worked as an independent consultant in both Romania and Czech Republic where, amongst her assignments, she acted as an advisor for business markets at Telefonica O2. At UKE, she supervises the work of the Department of Wholesale Telecommunications Market, Department of Technology, Department of Infrastructure Development, and UKE regional offices.

Director General, Agentia pentru Posta si Comunicatii Electronice (APEK), Slovenia

Dr. Annegret Groebel has been Head of Section International Co-ordination in German Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Post since 2001. She also holds key positions at the Independent Regulators Group (IRG), being actively involved in the work of the European Regulators Group (ERG) and of the newly created Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), acting as I/ERG Chair from BNetzA in 2009. Holding a Diploma in Economics from the University of Heidelberg, a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Mannheim and a Master of European Administrative Management from FH Bund (Bruehl), Dr. Groebel has been working for the German regulatory authority since 1997, first as a member of the Ruling Chamber for Interconnection and Access, then taking over International Coordination, being responsible for all contacts to European and non-European regulatory bodies and contacts with the European Commission, the coordination with the energy regulators including the relevant groups (CEER/ERGEG, now ACER) being added in 2005. In March 2012 she was appointed Vice-President of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) and became the alternate member of the ACER BoR. Between 2005-2010, Dr. Groebel was Chief of Staff (Managing Director) for all staff units (litigation unit, press office etc.) reporting to the BNetzA President, while in 2009 she was promoted to Head of International Relations/Postal Regulation, with both national and international responsibilities. She has an excellent knowledge of the European regulatory framework for electronic communications and its implementation, as well as the regulatory framework for the internal energy market. She has experience in advising public authorities on regulatory reform and sector specific regulation. Dr. Annegret Groebel is the author of various publications in the field of telecommunications and energy regulation and has lectured for a considerable time on subjects in economics, finance, social policy, trade policy and European Integration, as well as on the regulatory framework in the German and European telecommunications and energy markets at different universities and vocational training academies in Germany, the FSR in Italy, and Switzerland.

René Dönni holds the position of a Vice-director and is the Co-Leader of the Telecom Services Division in the Swiss Federal Office for Communications (OFCOM Switzerland). He joined the Office in 1995 and was involved in preparing the telecommunications market opening in Switzerland as of 1.1.1998. Between 1997 and 2002, he was project manager for tenders of mobile licenses and Head of Mobile and Satellite communications within OFCOM Switzerland. From 2002 until 2012, he led the economics and statistics activities at OFCOM Switzerland and dealt with market access issues and economic analyses, both nationally and in an international context. René Dönni holds academic degrees in Economics as well as in Electrical Engineering.

Varujan Pambuccian is a mathematician, has a PhD in mathematics from the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Bucharest, where he teaches in since 1990 in areas such as numerical methods, computing systems architectures, magneto-hydrodynamics or theory of relativity and cosmology. He also worked for the Institute for Computers between 1984 and 1990 and led a series of complex projects in the field of computer graphics, the symbolic computation, and computer design and virtualization. Since 1996 he represents the Armenian minority (Armenian Union in Romania) and Romanian IT & C community in Parliament. During this period he initiated over 60 draft normative acts, and between 2000 and 2008 led the Information Technology and Communications Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, which he founded.

Alexandrina Dospinescu is a Senior Associate in the CMS Commercial and Regulatory team in Romania. She holds a BA in Law from the Faculty of Law of the Bucharest University, an LLB in European Law from Panthéon Sorbonne, University of Paris, and a Postgraduate Diploma in EC Competition Law from King’s College, University of London. With over a decade of experience of commercial and regulatory law and working in-house for various government institutions, her practice focuses on general commercial, competition, regulatory, public procurement, concessions, PPP and EU law, with a particular focus on the technology, media and telecoms, and infrastructure sectors. Her experience includes advising on the implementation of a major broadband infrastructure development project financed through structural funds, targeting rural areas of Romania, on the terms governing third party access to large telecom network infrastructure projects developed with support from public authorities, on the procurement and contractual matters pertaining to some of the most significant motorway construction projects in Romania, as well as on Competition Council investigations and litigation files on cases of abuse of dominance in the telecoms and postal services sectors. Prior to joining CMS, Alexandrina was a partner in a reputed Romanian law firm, where she was Head of the Telecoms & Competition practice, before which she held the position of Vice President at the National Regulatory Authority for Communications (ANRC) for seven years. She has also worked as Secretary of State for European Integration and International Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Romania. Alexandrina is fluent in English and French.

Gabriela Vlad has been heading the IT department in Brasov Mayoralty since 1999 and is also vice-president of the National Association of Local Public Administration IT Specialists. Since 2000, she has been an IT lecturer in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brasov. Ms. Vlad is a certified Project Manager and holds a master's degree in the management of projects with international financing in the local public administration. Her main areas of interest include ICT, e-Government (smart/digital cities), project management, business analysis and improvement of the organizational processes. She is actively involved in developing and implementing the Strategy on the Computerization of Brasov Mayoralty, pursuing the update of the hardware, software, communications and educational infrastructure in Brasov City Hall and paying special attention to the development of electronic services offered by the public administration to citizens and business environment. Gabriela Vlad coordinated the implementation and modernization of the integrated information system of Brasov City Hall and of the subordinated services by developing back office software sub-systems (ERP, document management, electronic archives, GIS, CRM, investment planning and pursuit etc.). She also coordinated large-scale projects financed from European funds, which provide new electronic services to citizens, businesses and partners, promote the use of electronic means in the communication with the administration and render more efficient the internal activities of the City Hall’s personnel – Brasov City Hall at a click away!, Digital Cities - A network for rapid and sustainable ICT Regional Adoption, Integrated technical assistance office at the municipality level - Electronic geospatial services, e-Tourist in the historical Brasov, Local development through flexible education: Implementing an e-Learning platform in the Brasov City Hall. Two of the projects cover a much wider sector of public investment, including infrastructure modernization projects – Tele-management of the public lighting system and Computerized management of the public transport.

Mats Berggren has since 2000 held the position as CEO of the open city network Umel Energi Umenet AB, more commonly known as UmeNet. UmeNet was established in 1995 and has since 1999 offered the market a transparent city network. Today UmeNet is one of the world’s most connected city networks, with the fastest broadband network in Europe. UmeNet was also one of the first city networks to offer 1 Gbit/s to private customers. Much thanks to the well-developed fiber network of UmeNet, approximately 90% of the esidents within the municipality have today access to broadband via fiber. Furthermore, UmeNet has connected some 80 smaller villages in the outskirts of Umel to the city network. Throughout the development of UmeNet and the city network, Mats Berggren has been a driving force and played a vital part in creating and setting standards for ongoing development and investments in the area. Simultaneously to his CEO position, he has played a leading role in the development of the Swedish Urban Network Association, being part of the Board of Directors since 2004, and held positions as both Chairman of the Board and Vice-Chairman of the Board.

 

Petrică Ciupitu-Istrate graduated in 2001 from the Faculty of Law of Danubius University in Galati. In 2007 he completed a master course in Business Law from Titulescu University. He started his career in the public administration structures responsible for the SME sector, in 2002, first in the public relations structure and then in the legal structures of the same public institutions. Since 2006 he is involved in the managing Structural Funds in the Operational Programme Increase of Economic Competitiveness, especially for the axis destined to productive investments in the SME sector. In 2010, he exchanged the SME sector for the IT&C sector and joined the Intermediate Body for the Promotion of the Information Society (OIPSI).

 

Ioana Gheorghiade has extensive experience in corporate banking on the Romanian market. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst – member of the CFA Institute, USA, holds an Executive MBA degree from Asebuss, Bucharest in association with Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, and graduated from the Academy of Economic Sciences, Faculty of Economic Studies in Foreign Languages, Bucharest. Ioana Gheorghiade joined Erste Group-BCR in 2008, and in 2010 became Executive Director of Project Finance Division. In 2013, she took over responsibilities for Infrastructure Finance (including Real Estate), Public Sector clients, as well as specialised lending and EU-funds, cofinancing in the Public Sector & Infrastructure Finance Division.

 

Cristian Vasile graduated from the Faculty of Geodesy within the Bucharest Technical University of Civil Engineering. A pioneer in the fields of GIS and remote sensing, since 1979, Mr. Vasile also holds a Ph.D. in remote sensing and GIS. He has been the Director of Esri representation in Romania since 1993 and previously served as a Coordinator of the laboratory of digital mapping at the Institute for Computers (ICT). A convinced supporter of sustainable technologies and economic policies, Cristian Vasile authored various scientific papers presented at international congresses and obtained a number of international awards (Inspire, Rotterdamm). He has been uninterruptedly performing teaching activities ever since 1975, thus supporting the young researchers. He is also involved in social activities for disadvantaged people.

 

 

Marcel Foca is the shareholder and general manager of Intergraph Computer Services (ICS) since 1995, the local partner of the American corporation Intergraph Corp (USA), an innovating company and market leader for over 30 years in the field of mapping and geospatial technology. His business creed is driven primarily by the desire to create harmonious and long -term working relationships with customer, and less driven by profit at any cost. "When one of our customers calls me and asks me for an advice on a matter which has no relation to the geospatial system, that is a clear sign we have done a good job. When I will not be receiving such calls it will mean that the business is heading in the wrong direction", defines Marcel Foca his business philosophy. This approach has paid off and the company succeeded not only by rapidly growing in an field with many unexplored areas in Romania, but also by delivering a number of innovative projects for the first time ever in Romania. His objective is to achieve governmental informatization projects that would contribute to the improvement of public services to citizens and thus to the increase of the quality of life. The concept of Geospatial World is the means by which his team returns to the community knowledge and experience, in an effort of changing the public system for the better. Thus, in the last decade they promoted innovative ideas and solutions with a system of values and skills designed to support change.

 

With more than 17 years of legal practice dedicated to network industries, Dr. Alexander Benczek brings substantive experience in the electronic communications and ICT sectors in addition to related competition matters to the table. He has worked as advisor in the public and private sectors, in addition to inhouse assignments with a multinational telecoms operator. Based in Brussels, Dr. Benczek has been working on cutting edge issues in EU - policy making, although his practice extended into multiple jurisdictions for both private and public sector clients in regulatory, commercial and transactional matters. The current focus of his practice lies on broadband regulation and on structuring investment models into next generation broadband network (including Public Private Partnerships and cooperation models), in particular extending to corporate, commercial, funding and state aid aspects.

Bogdan Marius Chiritoiu graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bucharest “Carol Davila”, followed master classes at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and at the Central European University in Budapest. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies, International Economic Relations profile. Between 2005 and 2009 he was state councillor within the Presidential Administration, Departments of Economic and Social Policy and Planning and Policy Analysis. He was the Social Policy Coordinator for the Crisis Report and the Human Development Report of UNDP, he was Government consultant for European Integration at European Institute, as well as advisor to the Minister of Justice. In parallel, he performed an extensive professoral activity at the Faculty of Political Sciences (FSP) from the University of Bucharest. He has extensive experience in public policy and project management, holding positions such as coordinator on Phare projects (project coordinator on conflict management training, conducting seminars for young candidates and political activists etc.). He is an assessor on the Access program, consultant for the European Commission delegation for the Europa program, a Phare program evaluator for the Chesion, Social Services Development program, and a local expert (ADR7) for the promoting of the Phare campaign - Human Resource Development Scheme .

Dorin Odiatiu graduated as an engineer, specialising in electronics and transport, from the Polythechnic Institute of Bucharest, in 1991. In 1997, he joined Orange Romania (former MobilRom) as an International Roaming Coordinator. During 2001-2007, he coordinated the roaming, interconnection and geo-marketing activities of the company within the Wholesale, International and Regulatory Affairs Department. He was involved in important projects, among which: concluding roaming partnerships of Orange Romania with major operators, prioritizing the coverage of the GSM and 3G networks of Orange Romania, regulation-related projects. In 2007, Mr. Odiatiu was appointed Head of Wholesale, International and Regulatory Affairs, thus joining the Board of Directors of Orange Romania, in 2008 he was designated Wholesale, International & Regulatory Affairs Director, and in 2009 - Marketing Director. Since May 2012 he is the Public Affairs, Partnerships and Wholesale Director at Orange Romania. Dorin Odiatiu is fluent in English, French and German.

Valentin Popoviciu, Development Manager of RCS & RDS since 1999, has over 15-year experience in the IT&C field. Mr. Popoviciu graduated from the Faculty of International Economic Affairs and started his activity in the IT and telecommunications sector as a hobby, subsequently having an active contribution to the development of innovative services in this segment. He is mainly concerned with identifying new opportunities and tracking the development trends for the telecommunication services, which closely follow the changes in the consumers’ behaviour and needs. Valentin Popoviciu coordinated the expansion of the communications infrastructure of RCS & RDS, as well as the launch of certain basic services of the leading operator in the Romanian cable TV and Internet market. Furthermore, he has been responsible for the launch and roll-out of the Digi services: mobile voice and Internet branded Digi.Mobil, wi-fi wireless Internet (hot-spots) branded Digi Wi-Fi or Voice Over IP Digi Anywhere.

Mr. Sordet coordinates the legal and regulatory activities of Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania, aiming to establish and maintain open communication channels with various external stakeholders and governmental bodies. Mr. Sordet is a senior professional with an extensive experience in the fixed and mobile telecom market, having a strong legal background. He has a proven track record in complex legal matters, implementation of policies, procedures and regulatory affairs. He played an instrumental role in the liberalisation of the French telecom industry. Also, he has successfully dealt with processes of merger and acquisition, including the sale of companies to Deutsche Telekom Group, being responsible to coordinate all the legal, regulatory and governance related complexity of such endeavors. Mr. Sordet holds two professional Masters’ Degrees, one in European and International Management and the other in Audiovisual Communication Law, obtained from the University of Sorbonne (Paris I). He also holds a Masters’ Degree in research in the Public and Private Law from the University of Sorbonne (Paris II).

Severina Pascu took over the leading position in UPC Romania in 2011. Previously she held the position of CFO of the company, for three years. Before UPC, between 2005 and 2008, she held the position of Director in CAIB Romania, a leading investment bank in Central Europe. She previously was part of the management of U.S. cable telecommunications company named Metromedia International,in Romania and UK, and also worked at KPMG. Since August 2013, Severina Pascu, currently the CEO of UPC Romania, took over the position of CEO of UPC Hungary, thus having management responsibility for all the UPC operations in both countries.

Markus Reinisch was appointed Group Public Policy Director in October 2012 and is responsible for leading the development and practice of public policy for Vodafone Group, both internally and with external government and regulatory bodies. In this role, he implements strategies for managing group business risks that arise from regulatory initiatives at local and international level. Before taking this position, Markus Reinisch held senior regulatory roles in Vodafone Germany and Vodafone Group. He has been active in the telecom industry for more than 15 years as Director, Regulatory Development at COLT Group, as regulatory manager at Orange Group and as consultant at Deloitte Consulting. He holds an LL.M. from Warwick University and a master law degree from Vienna University.

Marius Catalin Marinescu was appointed President of ANCOM in April 2009, for a six-year term. A telecommunications engineer, Mr. Marinescu has worked in this sector ever since 1990, both for companies such as Romtelecom (15 years) and for public institutions such as the Inspectorate General for Communication and Information Technology, which he presided between 2005 and 2007, or the General Council of Bucharest. His professional interests cover mainly the areas of leadership skills, international relations, as well as human resources policies. At international level, Mr. Marinescu was Vice-Chairman of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) in 2012. In 2013, he simultaneously holds the positions of Chairman of the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Chairman of the Network of the Telecommunications Regulators from the French Speaking Countries (FRATEL) and Vice-Chairman of the European Post Regulators Group (ERGP).