Fabio is a highly experienced and passionate Tunnel Manager - MEP, and he’s excited to be contributing to Australia’s biggest public transport project.  

“I started with Webuild (previously Impregilo) in 2008 working on a Hydro Power Project in Venezuela. After 3 years on the project, I moved to Panama for the iconic ‘Third Set of Locks’ project, where I spent the next 6 years, starting from the first concrete pour till the inauguration of the project.  

“The Panama Canal project has been my big challenge and my big dream come true. I was asked to manage the MEP installation on the Pacific site of the Panama Canal. The challenge was huge but it has been the most spectacular adventure of my life.  

“When I was a kid, I had a dream to walk on the edge of the Panama Canal all dressed in white linen and a Panama hat on top. Well, at the end, after more than 25 years, the dream came true– for this reason, I absolutely loved Panama. The second reason is more important but bittersweet. On these projects I moved around the world, every time with my family –my wife Annalisa and my sons Erik, Julian, and Thomas.

“After this project, I moved to Saudi Arabia for the Metro Line 3 Project as Electrical Manager and then MEP Underground Manager, and then to Australia in 2019 for Snowy 2.0! After 2 years dedicated to starting up the project and the launch of the first TBM in the MAT Portal, I was then asked to move to Perth for the Forrestfield Airport Link Project to help with the MEP installation in the tunnel. I spent 2 years in Perth. After the construction was completed, I managed the first year of maintenance as a Field Maintenance Manager. 

“With all this previous experience and knowledge working in Australia, the next opportunity arrived – working on the SSTOM Project as Tunnel Manager – MEP, and now the fun begins!  

On this project, I manage the subcontractors and self-performing personnel involved in the installation of permanent services, such as power, water, air-conditioning and everything in between that’s needed to run a metro project. 

“I have had a great passion for LEGO from childhood because it gave me the possibility to create my thoughts and ideas, so construction has been a natural path. It’s amazing what we are doing with our projects, we are changing the life of hundreds of thousands of people. It is like literally marking our passage on this world.

“What I like most about working on the SSTOM project is that it’s another challenge, another point of contact with people with different ideas and backgrounds, an opportunity to grow my knowledge, experience and capability, and also grow my circle of friends with my colleagues. 

“The opportunity to continuously apply my capabilities and experiences to Webuild’s projects is what excites me for the future. I have the opportunity to explore new areas, new technologies and new challenges. For example, I’ve never built an airport or a port, so that’s hopefully my next challenge. 

“Working all over the world has its advantages and drawbacks, so you have to LOVE this work. It’s not easy, but if you love it, you’ll never want to stop because when you pass the critical moment, and look over your shoulder, you can see what you did, with colleagues and the company, and what you did for the people of the future. At the end, we are creating pieces of art and history.

“When I started with the company some 17 years ago, my mentor told me: ’We are not here only to build something, we are here also to teach the people that work with us in order to create future engineers capable of helping develop countries.’” His vision was like a mission, and I try to do the same. 

“Outside of work, my principal interest is my family, my free time is fully dedicated to them. I am very fortunate to actually be working with my son Erik on the SSTOM project. He is a Linewide Coordinator, and he is very smart. 

“During high school, he did one week of work experience with me on the project in Saudi Arabia. I remember how he was very excited during the discussions with colleagues and after that week, he continued asking me about the progress of the project. It sparked his passion and his career choice for the future.  

“What I enjoy is that I see a better version of myself in Erik. He has my energy and passion for the work but is smarter than me and moves the people around him with his kindness.  

“I always try to stay connected with my sons - being an expatriate family required a lot of effort by everyone in order to work properly and for us. Working with Erik has increased our connection because we’re sharing not only our personal life, but also the professional, creating a very strong bond.”