Meet the Team – Herb

Meet Herbert Betz – Bridging the gap

Herb Betz represents AnyWay Solutions in the Philippines. His connection with AnyWay began in 2008 while he was working in Bentiu, South Sudan. Over the years, Herb and AnyWay collaborated to develop the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base, specifically for Rotary Wing assets. Fast forward to today, Herb continues to work with AnyWay as part of a team in the Philippines, where he focuses on introducing climate-resilient transport infrastructure solutions to government agencies and local partners.

Herb values the family-like culture and tight-knit community at AnyWay. He appreciates the team’s dedication, the multicultural diversity, and the valuable insights he gains from the many leaders within the company.

In his current role, Herb is committed to bringing AnyWay’s solutions to the communities in the Philippines that would benefit from them the most. He describes his work as “bridging the gap”—understanding the challenges the Philippines faces in connecting to outside markets and leveraging AnyWay’s solutions to address these issues. With a strong focus on the effects of climate change, Herb is dedicated to finding solutions that can help Filipino communities become more resilient, especially in the face of recurring flooding. Herb feels that his role is a natural fit because he is passionate about environmental issues and poverty. As he puts it, “No child should go hungry, and every child needs a home. Climate change will create more climate refugees in the future, so we must find solutions now.”

One of Herb’s most memorable experiences was meeting AnyWay’s current CEO, Zeevik Halber, and the team in Tel Aviv during their early work days on the first South Sudan road. He deeply values the trust and friendships he’s built with the company over the years. “I feel blessed to work with this organization and lead the team in the Philippines,” he says.

Outside of work, Herb is motivated by his family and his faith. He enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors, especially in the Philippines, which he describes as one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, with over 7,000 islands to explore. “If I have my family with me, it’s the best,” he says.

Herb believes that his success is found when the team succeeds. He looks forward to continuing to help the country and his company achieve greater success in the years to come.

Engaging with Rural Senses to assess our projects’ impacts on progressing sustainable development goals 

Engaging with Rural Senses to assess our projects’ impacts on progressing sustainable development goals

AnyWay is engaging with Rural Senses an AI-powered solution for community-centered impact evaluation This collaboration marks a significant step in assessing and enhancing the impact of AnyWay’s climate-resilient transport infrastructure projects, both past and future, on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

For years, AnyWay Solutions has been at the forefront of delivering holistic, climate-resilient solutions tailored to transport infrastructure challenges. By aligning our work with global sustainability objectives, the company has aimed to address critical issues such as reducing carbon emissions, enhancing climate adaptability, and improving socioeconomic opportunities in underserved regions. 

Now, we are able to use technologies to determine qualitative impacts of these projects to ensure we are making valuable progress. Rural Senses will leverage its expertise in participatory and quantitative assessment methodologies to evaluate the tangible and long-term benefits of AnyWay Solutions’ projects. The assessment will quantify environmental, social and economic growth changes. 

“Our projects create a tangible impact—we witness it daily in the communities we serve. With Rural Senses’ impact assessment technologies, we can now officially measure the contributions of AnyWay Solutions’ climate resilient approach to developing transport infrastructure projects and their meaningful role in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals” – Zeevik Halber, CEO, AnyWay Solutions 

By integrating Rural Senses’ tools and insights, AnyWay Solutions aims to refine its strategies to not only meet but exceed global expectations for climate resilient infrastructure and sustainable development. This engagement also underlines the company’s commitment to data transparency and continuous improvement in delivering high-impact projects that support the SDGs. 

Stay tuned as AnyWay Solutions shares insights, lessons learned, and results from this groundbreaking initiative; helping pave the way toward a more resilient and sustainable future. 

Meet Alex Campbell

Meet Alex Campbell - An AnyWay Trailblazer

Alex Campbell is the Director of Engineering Solutions at AnyWay, with a history that traces back to the early 2000s in South Africa. As one of the original employees, he was instrumental in the company’s early development. His career began with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, followed by a transition to environmental geochemistry at the University of Cape Town. He eventually undertook grad work in engineering at the University of Waterloo which completed the professional tools he needed to thrive within the transport infrastructure industry with a multidisciplinary background that includes chemistry, geochemistry, and engineering. This diverse foundation has enabled him to tackle challenges from various perspectives.

Starting at AnyWay when the team was still small, Alex was able to engage in multiple aspects of the company. Over the years, his role has evolved, and he has become a crucial member of the consulting services team. “I have seen AnyWay grow and am excited to see where it will end up,” he says.

Alex is passionate about working in developing regions, where he can make a tangible difference. The combination of travel, experiencing new cultures, and solving unique challenges makes his career fulfilling. He values the opportunity to bring positive change to communities and believes that listening, reflecting, and providing thoughtful input are essential skills he brings to his projects and teams.

Throughout his long career at AnyWay, Alex cherishes memories from his early trips to Israel. More recently, he takes pride in his work in Papua New Guinea, where he and his team have improved roads and rehabilitated critical infrastructure for local communities. “To have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives is pretty cool,” he adds.

Travel is a theme that extends into Alex’s personal life as well. He loves experiencing different sceneries, cultures, and cuisines. An avid golfer with a handicap of 4, he also enjoys spending his summers at his off-grid island cottage in Canada.

Looking ahead, Alex is excited to continue advancing AnyWay’s solutions, incorporating consulting engineering services and new technologies like AI to help clients achieve their goals more efficiently while contributing to AnyWay’s growth and success.

Meet Neil Dale

Meet Neil Dale - A passionate and pragmatic engineer and road designer

Neil Dale is a Design Engineer at AnyWay Solutions. Known for his rational thinking and practical approaches to problem-solving, Neil is leading the design team to maximize impacts and minimize risks on projects. During his 11 years at AnyWay, Neil has gone from implementing solutions of pavement rehabilitation through stabilization, working in the field, conducting both quality control and training of local workforce, contractors, operators and engineers, to leading the development of design capabilities of AnyWay and designing larger projects.

As someone who naturally enjoys travel and working in different countries, the career he has found with AnyWay is a perfect match for him. While recalling one of his proudest moments at AnyWay, Neil remembered how he was driving along a road he had previously worked on ten years ago. The portion of the road that he had diligently spent his time on, as part of the AnyWay team, was still in great shape, while other nearby roads, not designed and upgraded by the AnyWay team, had noticeably deteriorated. The roads where Neil has left his stamp are a reflection of his conscientious nature.

Looking forward, Neil wants to tackle new challenges related to transport infrastructure in developing nations. He hopes to see reliable data sources available in those countries so that projects can be more efficient and help improve resiliency against climate events.  

When not at work, Neil can be found at his home in Capetown, South Africa, enjoying fishing, diving, and hunting. He is passionate about nature conservation and describes himself as an open book, transparent, and telling it like it is. 

Neil Joined AnyWay solutions as a young engineer straight from the Stellenbosch University and has developed both personally and professionally to be an exceptional team member that will continue to lead on with AnyWay for many years to come.

 

Meet Dereje Tesfu – A Diligent Site Engineer

Meet Dereje Tesfu - A Diligent Site Engineer​

Dereje Tesfu is a Project Coordinator on the AnyWay team. In his role, he is responsible for supervision, coordination, and quality control of transport infrastructure projects which AnyWay has designed. He diligently oversees that the constructed projects meet the design specifications and clients’ vision. His career started in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he worked as a Project Manager for the Addis Ababa  City Roads Authority (AACRA). It is through his work with AACRA  that he got to supervise projects that AnyWay designed and implemented its stabilization technology and technique for the upgrade of roads within the city. The connection with the AnyWay team and personnel has led to his joining AnyWay in 2014. Since then, he has amassed 17 completed projects under his belt in different continents across the world.

Above everything else, what Dereje enjoys most about his job is overcoming the day-to-day challenges. Every day on site is different – from the vendors and contractors you are working with to the geographic or weather conditions. His favourite part about his job is seeing a project through and the satisfaction he gets when the project is completed and he can see the difference that’s been made in the community.  Not only does he value the impacts that his projects have on the communities but personally, he enjoys participating in community outreach programs on behalf of AnyWay.

Dereje values each team member that he encounters and believes that that each individual person  contributes to the overall team success. He enjoys getting to know his colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds and learn what they are about. He believes it is through positive intentions, respect and an open mind where you can really learn from each other and get to know the unique talents and special contributions that each team member brings.

Even with a successful career, the accomplishments Dereje has outside of his work are his proudest. He is a husband and father to three children. At home, you can catch Dereje spending time with his family or relaxing reading a good book. In the future, he aspires to continue to learn as engineering technologies advance. He also aspires to grow personally by continuing to build on his communication skills, learn from others and share the knowledge he has.

Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways releases a report on a trial technology that progresses climate change action for transport infrastructure 

Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways releases a report on a trial technology that progresses climate change action for transport infrastructure

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is taking significant strides to enhance the climate resiliency of the nation’s transport infrastructure. In a landmark initiative, the DPWH has partnered with renowned global companies to research and implement advanced technologies aimed at fortifying road pavements against extreme weather conditions.  

Pioneering Technology Supporting Climate Resilient Transport Infrastructure

In a recently released interim report, the first small-scale pilot trial of AnyWay Solutions Soil Stabilizer was evaluated in base course materials.  The DPWH, in collaboration with the Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS), presented the findings of this in-depth study on the use of the stabilization technology, developed by AnyWay Solutions. The program aims to strengthen road pavement layers, making them more resilient to climatic events.

Pilot Study Confirms the Potential to Enhance Road Durability with ANSS

The research, which spanned over two years, marks the first phase of a comprehensive two-phase study. The initial small-scale pilot trial focused on assessing the performance of ANSS as a soil stabilizer for road base course materials. According to the DPWH and BRS report, the trial demonstrated satisfactory results, showcasing the technology’s potential to enhance the durability and strength of road pavements.

The pioneering research is a testament to the commitment of the Philippines to integrate innovative solutions to bolster infrastructure’s resilience against the impacts of climate change. The successful implementation of ANSS in road systems has the potential to set a new benchmark for climate resiliency in transport infrastructure projects.

“The application of the ANSS in base course materials is simple and easy without any new equipment investment using the production and construction process, which conforms to the existing DPWH regulation and system,” stated the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways interim report.  

The DPWH/BRS report highlighted that the application of ANSS is straightforward and does not require new equipment investments during production and construction. This compatibility with existing DPWH regulations and systems is a significant advantage, facilitating seamless integration into current practices. Furthermore, the simplicity and ease of application align with the department’s goal of adopting efficient and cost-effective solutions.

Second Phase Trials to Verify the Technology Meets Current and Future Needs

To ensure the technology’s robustness under varying local environmental and traffic conditions, the DPWH has planned a second small-scale pilot trial. This follow-up trial is essential to verify the initial findings and achieve a technically conclusive evaluation.

Continuing to the second phase of testing is crucial to understanding how ANSS performs under real-world conditions. By rigorously evaluating this technology, informed decisions can be made that will ultimately benefit the entire country, ensuring our infrastructure is resilient, sustainable, and capable of withstanding future climatic challenges.

Focusing on Climate Resiliency for the Future of the Philippines

The DPWH’s proactive approach to researching and implementing cutting-edge technologies like ANSS underscores its dedication to building a more resilient transport infrastructure. As climate change continues to pose significant threats, innovative measures are vital in safeguarding the nation’s roadways and ensuring the safety and connectivity of communities.

The collaboration with AnyWay Solutions is just one of many initiatives the DPWH is pursuing to enhance infrastructure resilience. By leveraging global expertise and advanced technologies, the Philippines is positioning itself as a leader in climate-resilient infrastructure development.

The DPWH and BRS will move forward with the second phase of their research and determine the future direction for adopting ANSS and similar technologies. The successful implementation of these innovations holds the potential to transform the country’s transport infrastructure, making it more robust and resilient in the face of a changing climate.

Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways releases a report on a trial technology that progresses climate change action for transport infrastructure

AnyWay and De La Salle University kick-off partnership with slope stability analysis and design workshop 

AnyWay and De La Salle University kick-off partnership with slope stability analysis and design workshop

The Philippines faces significant climate risks, including frequent typhoons, rising sea levels, and extreme weather patterns, making climate resiliency crucial for safeguarding communities and infrastructure. With its unique geographic location, the country is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which threatens livelihoods and economic stability. Strengthening climate resilience is not only about building stronger infrastructure but also about educating the next generation of engineers and leaders to develop sustainable solutions. By prioritizing climate education and capacity building, we can empower local communities to gain the knowledge and tools needed to effectively mitigate risks and adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Capacity building plays a pivotal role in driving change. This initiative isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about empowering local talent to address pressing challenges head-on. By integrating climate resilience into our projects, we’re not only advancing towards a more sustainable future but also contributing to the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Knowledge Sharing to Empower the Next Generation 

Earlier this year, AnyWay and De La Salle University (DLSU) – Gokonwei College of Engineering partnered to exchange knowledge and collaborate on climate-adaptive transportation infrastructure over the next five years. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was signed, aims to establish knowledge exchange and collaboration programs on climate-resilient transportation infrastructure that benefit both parties over the next five years. The MOA provides a framework for us to collectively understand, collaborate, and discuss specific programs to:  

  • Identify opportunities for the exchange of faculty and research staff  
  • Identify other areas of possible research interest and collaboration  
  • Make faculty and students aware of the educational resources offered 

Realizing the benefits of the partnership 

As part of implementing the program associated with the MOA, AnyWay led a workshop for the engineering students at DLSU  on slope stability, analysis, and design provided by AnyWay’s Director of engineering Solutions, Alex Campbell. The workshop was facilitated virtually from Canada to students at DLSU Gokongwei College of Engineering.  

The course emphasized the importance of understanding and analyzing slope stability to prevent landslides and ensure infrastructure safety, particularly regarding changing climate events in the region. AnyWay shared experience and lessons learned in implementing pavement engineering and climate resiliency for other projects. The workshop participants discussed the impact of changing climate on infrastructure and the need for engineers to adapt and come up with solutions. The workshop also covered slope stability and infrastructure design options and slope stabilization techniques including risk assessment, management options, and protection measures. The program will continue throughout the school year to enhance the students’ knowledge on various aspects of climate resiliency for transport infrastructure, including pavement design, pavement rehabilitation, low-volume roads engineering and rehabilitation and upgrading of road pavement structures through implementing techniques and technologies of soil stabilization to develop graduate research projects. A mentorship program will also be established to continue research into these topics.  

Knowledge sharing to enable resiliency for the next generation 

By building local capabilities and introducing cutting-edge technologies to the next wave of engineers, this partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in crafting a sustainable transportation network for the Philippines that will serve future generations well. Such partnerships are instrumental in transferring knowledge and expertise to those who will continue to develop and maintain the nation’s transportation infrastructure, while also fostering research and the adoption of innovative technologies to climate resilience.  

More information on AnyWay and De La Salle University’s partnership can be found here.

DLSU Workshop Article

Meet Solomon Nigusie – An energetic Project Coordinator

Meet Solomon Nigussie - 
An energetic project coordinator

Solomon Nigusie is a Project Coordinator at AnyWay Solutions. In his position he supervises, trains and coordinates all aspects on the rehabilitation and upgrading projects AnyWay is involved in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and elsewhere.Back in 2008, while working as a young Project Manager at the Addis Ababa City Roads Authority (AACRA) in Ethiopia, he was assigned to work on the same projects AnyWay was involved in with AACRA. There, he learned about AnyWay from the perspective of the client. Working closely with the team in Ethiopia created the opportunity for Solomon to join the company, and with the blessing of his bosses at AACRA, Solomon joined the AnyWay team in 2011. His first project at AnyWay, the Enga Highway, was in the Highlands of  Papua New Guinea. From there, the projects in the region took off and the team now has hundreds of kilometres of roads under their belt, with Solomon eager to introduce new team members to the area he’s grown so familiar with over the years.  
Being someone who enjoys a challenge, he brings problem solving to the job and believes it is most important to be open and transparent in communication when working together with colleagues and contractors. He prides himself on being fair and respectful to contractors he supervises as well as to colleague engineers no matter size or origin.   

Reflecting on one of his favourite memories with AnyWay over the past 13 years, Solomon says he will never forget the day that  AnyWay donated medical equipment to the Enga provincial government. “That was the day AnyWay proved that we are not only a partner to the Department of Works, but a true part of the community,” he says.  
Solomon is passionate about self-improvement. He enjoys learning new things and improving the skills he has. He is a very social person who is happiest when spending time with friends and family and thrives having people around him. It is important to him to share both good and bad times with others and believes meeting new people, especially from different backgrounds and cultures, expands your knowledge and life experiences.  

In the near future, Solomon plans to dive deeper into climate change’s affects and how his work can support communities to become more resilient. As climate change forces the transport infrastructure industry to explore new ways of working, he is ready to learn, and proactively adopt new approaches to design and implementation. He is enthusiastic about AnyWay’s connected and trusting team to help chart a course and embark together on this challenge.

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

CARIBBEAN CLIMATE RESILIENCY COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE - Roundtable 3

Solutions to management of pavement assets in the Caribbean

Once again, the Caribbean Climate Resiliency Roundtable webinar, where like-minded professionals and transport officials involved in the Caribbean communities collaborated on climate resiliency issues and solutions and shared and learned diverse knowledge for the region’s benefit.

Representatives from various island countries provided insights into current solutions for others to learn from. Participants appreciated that there are similarities across the Caribbean and that there is room for greater collaboration.

There is no replacement for knowledge share and experience, which the panellists well demonstrated: Dr. Lior Asaf, Water Resources Consulting, Konsta Mikael Sirvio SirWay Ltd., Asset Management for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Laurence Bridgmohan BSc, MSc (UWI), REng (BOETT), MAPETT, PMP Beyond Engineering Limited, moderated by Zeevik Halber, CEO at AnyWay Solutions and hosted by Magid Elabyad, IRF Senior Vice President.

Key discussion topics:

Each speaker will presented their topic and key issues regarding pavement assets and resiliency needs.

  • What are the challenges related to road asset management
  • What areas are vulnerable to climate risks, including hurricanes and flash flooding causing landslides and rockfalls?
  • Where is there room for improvement or areas for regional collaboration?
The Caribbean Climate Resiliency Community of Practice Round Table Series was created to engage with the Caribbean Region as a platform to help prosper knowledge sharing and create resilient pavement infrastructure. 
 
If you missed the event, you can now watch it on demand: CLICK HERE

Promoting Collaboration with Universities in the Philippines

Promoting Collaboration with Universities in the Philippines

AnyWay’s Climate Resilient Symposium brought together different stakeholders to collaborate on solutions for the transport infrastructure and included several academic institutions whose participation will help shape the next generation of leaders in the fight against climate change.

AnyWay’s Climate Resilient Symposium brought together different stakeholders. Amongst those in attendance were senior staff and students representing universities around the Philippines, including De La Salle University (DLSU), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), and University of the Philippines (UP). The participation of these academic institutions underscores the collective commitment to addressing climate challenges through collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

To further expand the collaboration with these academic institutions in the Philippines, we are discussing more programs aimed at enriching the knowledge and knowhow of students and professors on climate resiliency-related aspects. By collaborating closely, we’re not just imparting knowledge, but also fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability for the next generation. Beyond theoretical engineering studies, AnyWay plans to enhance the understanding of the contribution of climate resiliency for transport infrastructure to achieving sustainable development goals. 

Capacity building plays a pivotal role in localizing solutions, ensuring that they’re tailored to the specific needs of communities. This initiative isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about empowering local talent to address pressing challenges head-on. 

AnyWay has been providing climate resilient solutions in many countries around the world.With the Philippines being ranked as the world’s number one vulnerable country, building resilience into its infrastructure is of the highest importance.

Learn more about AnyWay’s Climate Resiliency Symposium in the Philippines here.