Former ITA Executive Director Olivier Vion Passes Away

The ITA has been informed by the family of Olivier Vion, the former Executive Director of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA), of his passing. Olivier died peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.

Olivier Vion's remarkable career was largely dedicated to public service and civic duty. His formal education began at Saint Jean Hulst, a private Catholic high school and college in Versailles, from 1972 to 1980. He went on to earn an engineering diploma from the ESTP school in Paris in 1986, followed by a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from PSL Dauphine University in 1987, and completed further studies in 2010 at the CHEDD, focusing on sustainable development.

Olivier was an experienced administrator and diplomat, skills he used extensively during his 14 years as ITA Executive Director. He managed the ITA Secretariat, guided the ITA Executive Council, and coordinated the activities of ITA's 80 Member Nations, various Working Groups, Committees, and the global underground industry.

All Images Sourced: ITA-AITES

From his earliest assignments as communications manager for ITA, Olivier was appointed in 2008 to the position of Executive Director, one of the most influential and responsible positions in the Association and across the international underground industry. As the right-hand man for six ITA Presidents, Olivier oversaw exponential growth of the ITA and its operations, with Member Nations increasing from 54 in 2008 to 80 in 2024. This magnified the responsibility of the Executive Director and of the operations of the Secretariat that he directed.

Arnold Dix, ITA President, honored Olivier by stating, "Olivier's unwavering dedication to the development and promotion of underground space through ITA has left a lasting impact on our community and beyond. He was the public face of ITA for decades."

Olivier’s legacy will endure through the numerous projects he championed. His recent contributions were evident at the WTC 2024 50th anniversary celebrations in Shenzhen, China, where his efforts significantly contributed to the event's success. Olivier's boundless sense of duty, commitment, and ability to bring people together will be cherished by friends and colleagues. His cheerful demeanor and quick wit made him a joy to work with.

Olivier Vion’s career in civil engineering and tunnelling saw him holding roles such as Managing Director of the marketing company Acrotere, Commercial Deputy Director of DTP Terrassement, and Development Engineer at Lafarge Aluminates. His contributions significantly advanced ITA's mission, inspiring many globally to embrace the concept of underground development.

Beyond his work with ITA, Olivier held several administrative roles with various organizations, including Eurosud-Transport, promoting railway use in South West Europe, where he served as Vice-President and Treasurer for over 24 years; Association URISMIP, strengthening the network of the Ecole Centrale de Lille, where he served as President of the Midi Pyrenees branch; UDOGEC09-31, serving as President of this educational institution; Toulouse CODEV, a participatory assembly linking the Toulouse Métropole urban community with local civil society; and ORQUASI, serving on the Board of Directors to oversee infrastructure quality in southern Occitanie.

Even after resigning from ITA in early 2023, Olivier continued to support the organization as a consultant, managing the 50th-anniversary celebrations at the World Tunnel Congress and ITA General Assembly of 2024 in Shenzhen, China. His leadership and commitment were instrumental in the success of these events.

Olivier's enduring presence at ITA events, including the ITA Tunnelling Awards since 2015, and his effective management of ITA operations left a lasting impression on all who worked with him. His dedication to ITA's mission as a recognized non-governmental organization of the United Nations will be remembered.

Olivier passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in his hometown of Toulouse, France, after a short battle with aggressive cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. His memory will continue to inspire future ITA leaders and guide the organization in its future endeavors.