Speaker Bio

Marcel holds a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering and served as the General Manager of the Systems & Infrastructure department at LVNL for 10 years until 2024. His career at LVNL began as a technical specialist, eventually transitioning into project and program management roles. He first moved into management within the Operational department before returning to the technical realm.

In 2013, Marcel took on the challenge of managing the Systems & Infrastructure department and became a member of the LVNL management team. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of essential IT systems and infrastructure. With a practical leadership style, he ensured the smooth operation of air traffic control systems, promptly addressing incidents and conducting routine maintenance to ensure continuous operations in a safety-critical environment.

Beyond his operational responsibilities, Marcel was instrumental in driving technological improvements. He collaborated closely with stakeholders to facilitate effective change management processes. As the Senior Responsible Owner, he oversaw several ambitious projects, including the successful refurbishment of the Schiphol Air Traffic Control Tower and the introduction of Electronic Flight Strips in 2019. Notably, in January 2023, LVNL implemented Intelligent Approach (IA), enabling RECAT-EU separation and Time-Based Separation (TBS). One of his most significant challenges was the development of the new iTEC-based Centre Automation System (iCAS).

In May 2024, Marcel was appointed as Director of iTEC to lead the iTEC Alliance. With this appointment, iTEC members took a significant step forward in advancing their future strategy and commitment to promoting safer, more efficient, and sustainable aviation through the deep cooperation of the eight countries that comprise the alliance. With iTEC SkyNex, the Alliance’s unique system will be flexible and interoperable thanks to shared knowledge and innovation. It will improve synergies between service providers and the industry, providing common technology for seamless air traffic management.

The iTEC Alliance manages the highly complex and busy airspace of eight countries: Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Lithuania, and the latest addition, Canada. Together, they manage over 26 million square kilometers of airspace from 27 centers, all sharing the same technology to achieve more sustainable aviation with lower emissions.