After completing his MBA and Ph.D. in economic sciences at University St.Gallen (Switzerland), Dr. Stefan Kannewischer has worked for four years at strategy consultants Bain & Company in Zurich, Munich and London. In 2001, he became Managing Director of the Swiss family business Kannewischer Management AG that is since 1972 a specialist in consulting, technical design and operations of public swimming pools and thermal spas. Kannewischer Collection operates six thermal spas in Germany. Stefan became President of IAKS Switzerland in 2009 and since 2015 he is President of IAKS worldwide. In 2017, he was appointed by Thomas Bach to the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Dr Stefan Kannewischer, Switzerland
President
After completing his MBA and Ph.D. in economic sciences at University St.Gallen (Switzerland), Dr. Stefan Kannewischer has worked for four years at strategy consultants Bain & Company in Zurich, Munich and London. In 2001, he became Managing Director of the Swiss family business Kannewischer Management AG that is since 1972 a specialist in consulting, technical design and operations of public swimming pools and thermal spas. Kannewischer Collection operates six thermal spas in Germany. Stefan became President of IAKS Switzerland in 2009 and since 2015 he is President of IAKS worldwide. In 2017, he was appointed by Thomas Bach to the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Univ. Prof. Dr. at the Japanese Women’s College of Physical Education
President of the Japanese Institute of Sports and Culture
After his doctoral work in physics, he established the Japanese Institute for Sports and Culture in 1973 with support from the Japanese government. The Institute performs a wide range of tasks for sports and leisure facilities such as designing, planning, and construction. He is also chairman of the Science Committee of IVSI (International Federation of Snowsport Instructors), as well as being involved in many other organizations.
Prof Dr Takazumi Fukuoka, Japan
Vice President
Univ. Prof. Dr. at the Japanese Women’s College of Physical Education
President of the Japanese Institute of Sports and Culture
After his doctoral work in physics, he established the Japanese Institute for Sports and Culture in 1973 with support from the Japanese government. The Institute performs a wide range of tasks for sports and leisure facilities such as designing, planning, and construction. He is also chairman of the Science Committee of IVSI (International Federation of Snowsport Instructors), as well as being involved in many other organizations.
Tom is a Senior Principal in the London office of Populous and has a keen interest in how sports and entertainment buildings and events can enhance cities and communities. He has a great passion for sport and has been able to use this in the design and delivery of a number of high-profile projects around the world, including the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC and the Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has also worked on other major sports events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup and NFL Super Bowl.
In addition to running major projects, Tom has co-authored the technical guide to Sports Facilities in the Metric Handbook and contributed to a series of international publications. He is a member of the IAKS Executive Board since 2017 and sits on the Sports Economy Sector Advisory Group for DIT (Department of Industry and Trade). He has also spoken at a range of conferences and events around the world on the sustainability of sports and entertainment buildings.
Tom Jones, United Kingdom
Vice President
BArch (Dist), BSc (Hons) Arch, UWCC, RIBA
Tom is a Senior Principal in the London office of Populous and has a keen interest in how sports and entertainment buildings and events can enhance cities and communities. He has a great passion for sport and has been able to use this in the design and delivery of a number of high-profile projects around the world, including the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC and the Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has also worked on other major sports events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup and NFL Super Bowl.
In addition to running major projects, Tom has co-authored the technical guide to Sports Facilities in the Metric Handbook and contributed to a series of international publications. He is a member of the IAKS Executive Board since 2017 and sits on the Sports Economy Sector Advisory Group for DIT (Department of Industry and Trade). He has also spoken at a range of conferences and events around the world on the sustainability of sports and entertainment buildings.
As Head of Sports Facilities Holger manages the sports facilities in the Municipality of Gladsaxe which is located in the east of Denmark. Gladsaxe has about 70,000 inhabitants and stretches over 25 km².
Previously he has been a part of the team at The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities (LOA Fonden) working with innovation of the facilities for sports and leisure activities.
Holger is Vice President of the Danish Association for Sports Facilities bringing together owners, operators and managers of sports facilities in Denmark with the purpose of contributing to innovation in and the development and planning of sports facilities.
Since its founding in 2017, Holger sits on the board of IAKS Nordic.
Holger Kortbek, Denmark
Treasurer
As Head of Sports Facilities Holger manages the sports facilities in the Municipality of Gladsaxe which is located in the east of Denmark. Gladsaxe has about 70,000 inhabitants and stretches over 25 km².
Previously he has been a part of the team at The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities (LOA Fonden) working with innovation of the facilities for sports and leisure activities.
Holger is Vice President of the Danish Association for Sports Facilities bringing together owners, operators and managers of sports facilities in Denmark with the purpose of contributing to innovation in and the development and planning of sports facilities.
Since its founding in 2017, Holger sits on the board of IAKS Nordic.
In 1997, Klaus joined the IAKS headquarters in Cologne as a scientific staff member and was appointed IAKS Managing Director in 2003. In 2015, Klaus became IAKS Secretary General.
Klaus holds a diploma in landscape architecture after having visited universities in Hanover (Germany) and Tours (France) from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he was a technical officer at the German Association of Landscape Architects in Bonn and Berlin.
Besides his general tasks for IAKS, Klaus is responsible for the programming of the biannual IAKS Congresses as well as for the IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prizes.
Klaus Meinel
Secretary General
In 1997, Klaus joined the IAKS headquarters in Cologne as a scientific staff member and was appointed IAKS Managing Director in 2003. In 2015, Klaus became IAKS Secretary General.
Klaus holds a diploma in landscape architecture after having visited universities in Hanover (Germany) and Tours (France) from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he was a technical officer at the German Association of Landscape Architects in Bonn and Berlin.
Besides his general tasks for IAKS, Klaus is responsible for the programming of the biannual IAKS Congresses as well as for the IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prizes.
Karin Schwarz-Viechtbauer, Director, Austrian Institute for School and Sports Facilities (ÖISS), Austria
Karin Schwarz-Viechtbauer is the managing director of the Austrian Institute for Schools and Sports Facilities (OEISS) - a public foundation, which acts as a competence centre for the planning, building and maintenance of sports and leisure facilities. The institute is responsible for the development of general information and guidelines and provides consultancy and surveillance. Karin is an educated architect and has experience as a lecturer at several universities in Austria.
DI Karin Schwarz-Viechtbauer, Austria
Member
Karin Schwarz-Viechtbauer, Director, Austrian Institute for School and Sports Facilities (ÖISS), Austria
Karin Schwarz-Viechtbauer is the managing director of the Austrian Institute for Schools and Sports Facilities (OEISS) - a public foundation, which acts as a competence centre for the planning, building and maintenance of sports and leisure facilities. The institute is responsible for the development of general information and guidelines and provides consultancy and surveillance. Karin is an educated architect and has experience as a lecturer at several universities in Austria.
Since 1986, he has been managing the University and Provincial Sports Centre in Rif/Salzburg. From 2001 to 2013, he was also manager of the Salzburg Red Bull Arena football stadium before becoming a member of the stadium‘s directorate. Wolfgang lectures as an Assistant Professor at the University of Salzburg and at the private University “Schloss Seeburg”.
Wolfgang Becker, Austria
Member
Since 1986, he has been managing the University and Provincial Sports Centre in Rif/Salzburg. From 2001 to 2013, he was also manager of the Salzburg Red Bull Arena football stadium before becoming a member of the stadium‘s directorate. Wolfgang lectures as an Assistant Professor at the University of Salzburg and at the private University “Schloss Seeburg”.
Prof Dr Robin Kähler works throughout Germany as a consultant, specialising in urban and regional development projects focusing specifically on sports, exercise, leisure and health development inclusive of the associated control, coordination and management tasks. He is a retired university lecturer and President of IAKS Germany.
Prof. Dr Robin Kähler, Germany
President of IAKS Germany
Prof Dr Robin Kähler works throughout Germany as a consultant, specialising in urban and regional development projects focusing specifically on sports, exercise, leisure and health development inclusive of the associated control, coordination and management tasks. He is a retired university lecturer and President of IAKS Germany.
Roger Gut is the owner of maj Architekten in Berne, Switzerland, an architectural office specialising in schools and sports facility planning. Since 1976, Roger has been involved in many building projects for sports facilities, and mainly for sports halls, outdoor sports facilities and football pitches. Since 2016, he has been President of IAKS Switzerland.
Roger Gut, Switzerland
President of IAKS Switzerland
Roger Gut is the owner of maj Architekten in Berne, Switzerland, an architectural office specialising in schools and sports facility planning. Since 1976, Roger has been involved in many building projects for sports facilities, and mainly for sports halls, outdoor sports facilities and football pitches. Since 2016, he has been President of IAKS Switzerland.
Harald Fux specialises in indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as stadiums and gathering spaces. The CEO of the Vienna based architecture firm Raumkunst is President of IAKS Austria and member of the UIA Sports and Leisure work program and Expert Member for Sports Facilities Construction at the Austrian Standards Institute.
Harald Fux, Austria
President of IAKS Austria
Harald Fux specialises in indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as stadiums and gathering spaces. The CEO of the Vienna based architecture firm Raumkunst is President of IAKS Austria and member of the UIA Sports and Leisure work program and Expert Member for Sports Facilities Construction at the Austrian Standards Institute.
Marcin is CEO of the Arena Gliwice, the state-of-the-art multifunctional venue, being the second largest indoor arena in Poland.
Having vast experience in the management of megaprojects and large events, he has extensive knowledge of the leisure industry as he has been involved in various private and public projects. From 2008-2012, he managed PL.2012 and acted as chief coordinator and organizer of the Polish preparations for UEFA Euro 2012, and in January 2013 took over responsibilities as CEO of the company managing the National Stadium in Warsaw. From 2012-2016 Marcin worked as the Deputy Director of the Polish Handball Federation, being responsible for the preparations of the EHF EURO 2016.
Prior to embarking on the EURO 2012 project, Marcin had spent 13 years in the fuel industry. He worked as the Chairman of Lotos Group’s largest subsidiary and broadened his experience working at Shell Global Solutions on numerous international projects in the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and the United Kingdom. He completed legal and MBA studies.
Marcin Herra, Poland
President of IAKS Poland
Marcin is CEO of the Arena Gliwice, the state-of-the-art multifunctional venue, being the second largest indoor arena in Poland.
Having vast experience in the management of megaprojects and large events, he has extensive knowledge of the leisure industry as he has been involved in various private and public projects. From 2008-2012, he managed PL.2012 and acted as chief coordinator and organizer of the Polish preparations for UEFA Euro 2012, and in January 2013 took over responsibilities as CEO of the company managing the National Stadium in Warsaw. From 2012-2016 Marcin worked as the Deputy Director of the Polish Handball Federation, being responsible for the preparations of the EHF EURO 2016.
Prior to embarking on the EURO 2012 project, Marcin had spent 13 years in the fuel industry. He worked as the Chairman of Lotos Group’s largest subsidiary and broadened his experience working at Shell Global Solutions on numerous international projects in the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and the United Kingdom. He completed legal and MBA studies.
Agency Manager for Active Lives at the City of Fredrikstad, Norway. His department is responsible for overall strategic planning and development, and facility construction. The goal is to enable citizens to engage in organized and self-organized sports, outdoor activities, daily physical activity and urban active living. The department manages public fundings and initiates programmes in accordance to overall strategic goals. The City of Fredrikstad has initiated a national pilot project on how the public sector - as a health preventive tool - can build longterm structures based on the citizens‘ opportunities to be more active. The programme was established in 2020, based upon the Global Action Plan on Physical activity 2018–2030 by WHO. Before joining the City of Fredrikstad in 2012, André has worked as university and high school lecturer and leader in sports and physical education.
He has been a member of the IAKS Nordic board since 2019. He sits on the board of Fredrikstad Elite (United Association formed by three elite teams in soccer, ice-hockey and handball in the City of Fredrikstad) and Olympiatoppen Region Østlandet (The organisation is part of Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports with responsibility for training Norwegian elite sport).
André Flatner, Norway
President of IAKS Nordic
Agency Manager for Active Lives at the City of Fredrikstad, Norway. His department is responsible for overall strategic planning and development, and facility construction. The goal is to enable citizens to engage in organized and self-organized sports, outdoor activities, daily physical activity and urban active living. The department manages public fundings and initiates programmes in accordance to overall strategic goals. The City of Fredrikstad has initiated a national pilot project on how the public sector - as a health preventive tool - can build longterm structures based on the citizens‘ opportunities to be more active. The programme was established in 2020, based upon the Global Action Plan on Physical activity 2018–2030 by WHO. Before joining the City of Fredrikstad in 2012, André has worked as university and high school lecturer and leader in sports and physical education.
He has been a member of the IAKS Nordic board since 2019. He sits on the board of Fredrikstad Elite (United Association formed by three elite teams in soccer, ice-hockey and handball in the City of Fredrikstad) and Olympiatoppen Region Østlandet (The organisation is part of Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports with responsibility for training Norwegian elite sport).
Architect. (1981) Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Free practice of the profession, specialized in sports, from 1993 to date, with several thousand m2 in sports projects executed. Partner Jorge Ehlers & Partners, Architects. Founding member and former president of the Sports Facilities Committee of the College of Architects Chile. President of the Section of Latin America and the Caribbean IAKS. Professor of Infrastructure and Resource Management in Magister of Sports and Leisure of the Metropolitan University of Education Sciences, Santiago de Chile. Author of several publications related to the design, technical aspects and management of sports facilities, in the academic field.
Jorge Ehlers, Chile
President of IAKS LAC
Architect. (1981) Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Free practice of the profession, specialized in sports, from 1993 to date, with several thousand m2 in sports projects executed. Partner Jorge Ehlers & Partners, Architects. Founding member and former president of the Sports Facilities Committee of the College of Architects Chile. President of the Section of Latin America and the Caribbean IAKS. Professor of Infrastructure and Resource Management in Magister of Sports and Leisure of the Metropolitan University of Education Sciences, Santiago de Chile. Author of several publications related to the design, technical aspects and management of sports facilities, in the academic field.
Prof. Dr. Mitsuru Senda graduated from the faculty of architecture at Tokyo Institute of Technology. After working for four years at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates, he established the Environment Design Institute in 1968. He has designed many sports facilities such as swimming pools, baseball stadiums, gymnasiums, tennis centers, children's "circular" play areas, mainly in Japan and China. His major works include the Shanghai Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center which received an IOC IAKS silver medal. In total, he has received two gold medals and three silver medals within the IOC IPC IAKS architecture prizes. He became President of IAKS Japan in 2011.
Prof. Dr Mitsuru Senda, Japan
President of IAKS Japan
Prof. Dr. Mitsuru Senda graduated from the faculty of architecture at Tokyo Institute of Technology. After working for four years at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates, he established the Environment Design Institute in 1968. He has designed many sports facilities such as swimming pools, baseball stadiums, gymnasiums, tennis centers, children's "circular" play areas, mainly in Japan and China. His major works include the Shanghai Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center which received an IOC IAKS silver medal. In total, he has received two gold medals and three silver medals within the IOC IPC IAKS architecture prizes. He became President of IAKS Japan in 2011.
