• Head of Accreditation and Quality Control Committee at Ministry of Public Works (MPW), in-charge of the Conventions / Conferences between the MPW and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) .
• Targets Inspection Officer for the Central Agency for Civil Construction laboratories.
• Member of several committees, such as the Concrete Code Kuwait - Offset - GIS - Construction Projects Take Over - International Committee of the ISO TCI - Kuwaiti technical specifications, etc.
• Participated in various indoor and outdoor conferences with the presentation of technical documentations.

Dr. Bentivegna specializes in the characterization and implementation of cementitious materials and the mitigation of premature deterioration due to concrete durability problems. Additionally, he is an expert in the investigation and mitigation of structures affected by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and in the development and implementation of rapid repair cementitious systems, including calcium aluminate cement (CAC).

Dr. Bentivegna also has extensive knowledge in the development of concrete testing. He developed his own testing apparatuses for monitoring cement hydration, including isothermal calorimeters and chemical shrinkage setups, as well as techniques for monitoring early-age volume change. These testing setups aim to more accurately correlate laboratory testing to actual field performance.

As a graduate research assistant at the University of Texas, Dr. Bentivegna participated in concrete-related projects with emphasis in fly ash, calcium aluminate cements and lithium implementation for ASR-affected concrete. He performed this work for the Federal Highway Administration, local department of transportation offices, international companies and local businesses. Dr. Bentivegna also has experience in structural and transportation engineering, having worked as an intern at design consulting firms.

Nick Ecart is Director, Business Development, Europe, Middle East and Africa for ASTM International. In his role, Mr Ecart is responsible for working with local partners to ensure organisations have appropriate access to ASTM standards, eLearning courses, training, proficiency testing programs and more. In Kuwait he works closely with National Consulting Bureau to provide companies and government ministries with access to ASTM products/services. He also works with national governments including Kuwait where ASTM signed an MoU with Public Authority for Industry in 2012. Prior to joining ASTM, Mr Ecart worked for IHS Inc for over 24 years where he led various sales, marketing and product management teams as well as various business development initiatives. He has been involved in the business development of international standards for over 25 years and has served on a number of joint venture management teams with several European standardisation organisations in UK, Germany, France and Switzerland. A frequent visitor to Kuwait for many years, he lives near London.

Mr. Ali Al-Kandari obtained his undergraduate degree from the Kuwait University in the year 1989, and joined Kuwait Cement Company on 23.09.1992 in the position of a Clerk at Marketing & Sales Department. He was promoted to Chief of Commercial Sales Division in 1996, and to the Head of the Sales Section in 1998. In 2005, he was made the Marketing & Sales Manager, which is his current position. He is also a Committee Member at the Kuwaiti Industries Union, which was assigned to him by the Union to resolve the Complaints received from various Companies.

Mr. Ali Al-Kandari pursued his educational qualifications further after the University and attended various Professional Training/Certification Courses through local and external training agencies to keep updated with the latest developments in the field of Marketing, Sales, Management and Information Technology.

During his long association at Kuwait Cement Company's Marketing & Sales Department, Mr. Ali Al-Kandari has contributed immensely in the development of the Administrative working system, and the performance of Marketing & Sales team through his leadership to achieve the goals, assignments and vision of the Company.

Also, his sincere efforts towards increasing the Company's sales volume and expansion of its Client's base by maintaining an excellent and trustworthy relationship, has definitely helped Kuwait Cement Company to attain a leadership position in the Kuwait cement market.

He has also contributed to the promotion and support of Kuwait Cement Company's image with various concerned local authorities, whether it is the governmental, professional or academic sector.

• Director of Master Plan Department Kuwait Municipality
• Member of the technical team on the preparation of the strategy
• Statements of structural schemes of the Gulf Cooperation Council
• Gulf - General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Member of the team in charge of reviewing the third structural plan
• Of the State of Kuwait with the work program of the government (the development plan) - the Supreme Council for Planning and Development- cabinet.

• Consultant of Bids & Contracts and Estimating of Engineering Projects
• Arbitrator at Commercial Arbitration in the GCC Center
• Certified Expert at Commercial Arbitration in the GCC Center
• Certified Geometric and Judicial in Kuwait
• Certified Trainer at the Gulf Federation Trainers