NICHOLAS ZEMBILLAS
Summary of Services and Experience
Nicholas Zembillas has over 42 years in the public and private sector of Transportation and Subsurface Utility Engineering and Consulting industry. Mr. Zembillas spent 15 years with the Florida Department of Transportation, as a project inspector/engineer in Construction and advanced to become District Utility Engineer, providing policy and leadership with the Utility Agency Owners whose facilities occupy public rights of way for the accommodation and use of the utilities. Mr Zembillas introduced in the to the transportation and utility industry, innovated process called Joint Project Agreement, whereas, Utility Installation was performed by the Highway Contractor, using approved utility subcontractors. This concept reduced construction delays and claims. Other state transportation agencies have developed similar programs.
Zembillas spent 27 years in the private sector where he went on to develop a global business practice of professional Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) under the business name of TBE Group, which in 2008 merged with Cardno Limited. Under Zembillas leadership, this division provided leadership and management for quality assurance and compliance for field operation, project management and project delivery, training and development, fleet management and safety standards for SUE global business units. Mr. Zembillas was the Senior Principal for operational oversight with business units in Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, South America, and Australia providing subsurface utility engineering and utility coordination services. In addition, he was actively involved in Cardno’s global SUE business development and leadership, traveling the world, speaking at conferences, and writing articles introducing subsurface utility engineering and the many benefits it provides on engineering projects of all sizes.
Mr. Zembillas now is the CEO/MD of Subsurface Utility Engineering, LLC and SUE LATAM, LLC where he serves on various international standard committees, as an International Subject Matter Expert, advisor on subsurface utility engineering best practices & standard of care, utility damage prevention, utility coordination, utility relocation design methodology, utility claims analysis and geophysical & geospatial technologies reviews for public and private sector clients. Mr Zembillas’ SUE LATAM is the leading professionally registered provider of subsurface utility engineering in Latin America, serving clients in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia and Panama.
Subsurface Utility Engineering Standards Experience
> USA: ASCE 38-02 and ASCE/UESI 38-21: committee member
> Australia: AS 5488-2013 and AS 5488-2019: independent international expert member
> United Kingdom: BSI/ICE PAS 128: 2014 and BSI/ICE PAS 128:2021 independent international expert member
> Canada: CSA S250-2012 committee member
> China: China Society of Civil Engineers MOA ASCE 38-02 200 international subject matter expert to CSCE committee
> Ecuador: NTE INEN 2873 2015: Prime Technical Expert and co-writer
International Research Study Experience
> UK: Buried Asset Management Institute International – past Board of Director and currently a delegate member
> UK; Mapping the Underworld Research Project 2003- 2012; Delegate Member
> UK: Assessing the Underworld Research Project 2012 – 2018 Delegate Member
International Research Study Experience, continued
> Canada: Ontario Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association: Subsurface Utility Engineering in Ontario: Challenges & Opportunities 2005
Professional Associations and Organization Affiliations
Mr. Zembillas serves on various international standard committees, as an International Subject Matter Expert, advisor on subsurface utility engineering best practices & standard of care, utility damage prevention, utility coordination, utility relocation design methodology, utility claims analysis and Geophysical & Geospatial technologies to:
> ASCE and Utility Engineering and Survey Institute: Active Member
> Subsurface Utility Engineering Association: two term Board of Director
> American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials AASHTO: Utility Subcommittee member
> Transportation Research Board TRB: Utility Subcommittee member
> Federal Highway Administration: Utility Advisor on SUE and Utility Policy matters
> Common Ground Alliance CGA contributor on SUE matters
> Centre for the Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT)
> North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT)
> National Utility Contractor Association (NUCA): Advisor and contributor on SUE
Recent Accomplishments:
> 2020: USA/Canada: Awarded the Damage Prevention True Hero by the Subsurface Utility Engineering and Utility Damage Prevention industry of practitioners.
> 2016: USA/Canada - Named to the CE News’ 2010 Power List. This list recognizes 15 of the most prominent people in civil engineering who have made significant impacts on the industry.
> 2010: Australia - received the E.J. (Ted) Hooper medal. This award recognizes the best paper presented at the Institute of Public Works Engineering – Australia’s annual conference. His paper was entitled, Subsurface Utility Engineering: A Proven Solution.”
> 2009: USDOT Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Award under Category Five – Outstanding Individual Contributions. This award recognized Mr. Zembillas for his leadership, significant contributions, technical expertise, and commitment to continuously foster innovation and advance utility accommodation and relocation practices within the United States and internationally.
> 2008: USDOT FHWA and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) utilities scan delegation team which visited Australia and Canada to explore industry advances and innovations in: technology, management practices, organization structure, program delivery and financing.
> 2008 United Kingdom: appointed as International Subject Matter Expert for the “Mapping the Underworld” Research Study.