Jorge Peña Alarcón

Director of Data & AI, Microsoft

As a visionary leader in the realm of Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI), Jorge Peña Alarcón stands at the forefront of innovation at Microsoft. As the Director of Data & AI, Jorge's expertise in engineering and operations is pivotal in leading organizations in adopting and transitioning to cloud native digital platforms. His strategic approach integrates data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance business value, particularly within the Energy sector.

Jorge's leadership is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to driving tangible business outcomes for executive clients. His experience spans over a decade in technology and energy operations, with a rich background in Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Mining, and Utilities industries. His proficiency in enterprise software development, sales, go-to-market strategies, and business development has been instrumental across various vertical markets.

A specialist in IT-OT convergence and Automation Industries, Jorge's academic foundation in Aerospace Engineering, with a concentration on Advanced Analytics and Propulsion Engines from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, empowers him to innovate in digital transformation initiatives with a unique blend of technical acumen, industry insight, and unwavering focus on achieving operational excellence.

Dhivakar Poosapadi CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST

Senior Research Engineer, Quest Global Services

Dhivakar Poosapadi has over 16 years of experience in the design, development, testing, installation, and commissioning of drilling equipment, subsea completion systems, well access systems, subsea drilling systems, advanced sealing and control systems, and riser gas handling systems. He has held various positions at Keppel Offshore and Marine Technology (Singapore), TechnipFMC, Managed Pressure Operations (a part of Aker Solutions), AFGlobal Corporation, and is currently contracted to Halliburton through Quest Global Services North America. Additionally, he is involved in Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for EPCIC projects, covering areas such as planning, budget control, tendering/costing processes, resource management, manufacturing planning, and inspection.

He earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Smart Product Design) from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Dhivakar holds a patent in FPSO offloading systems and has reviewed several conference papers, including those for the Offshore Technology Conference, Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Drilling Engineers, and One Petro. He has been instrumental in developing innovative products that have received multiple prestigious awards, including the 30th Annual Woelfel Best Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award from ASME and Hart’s Meritorious Engineering Awards for enhancing the safety and efficiency of drilling and completion equipment.

Ove Heitmann Hansen

Senior Principal - Digital Trust, DNV

Ove Heitmann Hansen has more than 35 years of experience in leadership, strategy development, change management, stakeholder management and integrated & remote operations. Ove is Senior Principal Digital Trust for DNV, where he focuses on automated and autonomous operations, utilizing Digital Twin solutions, Industry 4.0 solutions and automated requirements verification by using a common digital language (ontology).

Ove has published a variety of articles and papers, most recently on topics such as Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence. Ove holds Masters degrees in Industrial Economics and Change Management and has served in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Rafael Riva

Vice President, Client Relations, International Registries, Inc. (IRI) / The Marshall Islands Registry

Mr. Riva joined IRI’s Houston office in January 2023 as Vice President, Client Relations. Prior to joining IRI, he spent nearly 19 years with Lloyd’s Register (LR) in a variety of management, business development, and technical roles. Mr. Riva specialized in LNG and LPG and moved around the world to support LR’s strategic interests and business development, including positions in London, Shanghai, and New York. In 2020, he was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Operations Americas, where he oversaw activities of all commercial teams in the Americas, including several projects with Offshore Wind and Gas. Mr. Riva holds an MSc in Naval Architecture from Spain’s Technical University of Madrid and has studied at the Technical University of Denmark. He is also a qualified Chartered Engineer, a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, the Spanish Association of Naval Architects, and The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).

Dr Matthew Franchek

Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Houston

Education

• Ph.D., December 1991, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Advisor: S. Jayasuriya
• M.S., December 1988, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Advisor: S. Jayasuriya
• B.S., May 1987, Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
• Associate in Arts and Science, May 1984, Eastfield College

Professional Experience

• April 2011 - Present: Director of Subsea Engineering, University of Houston, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• August 2002 - Present: Professor, University of Houston, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• August 2002 - December 2009: Professor and Chair, University of Houston, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• August 2002 - May 2009: Professor and Director, University of Houston, Biomedical Engineering Program
• July 2001 - August 2002: Professor, Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering
• July 1997 - July 2001: Associate Professor, Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering
• June 1997 - August 2002: Deputy Director, Purdue University, Electro-Hydraulic Control Research Center
• January 1992 - July 1997: Assistant Professor, Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering.
• May 1981 -August 2002 CONSULTING ENGINEER Control system design and implementation, mechatronics, hydraulic system

Professional and Scientific Affiliations

• Member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dynamic Systems and Control Division
• Member of Society of Automotive Engineers
• Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Engineering In Training Certified in 1987 (Texas)