Past Presidents & Board Members
IEPNG acknowledges the dedicated engineers who have served as Presidents, Council members and Board members, contributing to the advancement of the engineering profession in Papua New Guinea.
Over the years, IEPNG leadership has played an important role in strengthening professional standards, promoting engineering education, supporting the registration of engineers, and advocating for engineering excellence in national development.
The roots of IEPNG go back almost 50 years. The Institution began in 1973 as the Society of Professional Engineers — the first professional engineering body in Papua New Guinea. As membership grew to include engineers beyond the civil discipline, the Society was renamed the Institution of Engineers Papua New Guinea in 1997, and adopted its present name in 1998 to reflect the professional engineering ethos at the heart of the organisation.
Since then, a succession of Presidents, Council members and Board members have guided the Institution through the growth of the profession, the introduction of formal registration and competency assessment, and IEPNG's expanding role in Papua New Guinea's national development. The individuals who have led the Institution are honoured below, listed from the current President back to the earliest presidency on record.
Presidents, current to earliest
Gibson Holemba
President, IEPNG
Appointed President in April 2025, succeeding Edea Bouraga; previously served as Deputy President. Also serves as President of the South Pacific Engineers Association. Priorities include climate-resilient infrastructure, public policy, capacity building and stronger university–industry linkages. During his term, Papua New Guinea was admitted as the 81st member country of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES).
Edea Bouraga
President, IEPNG
Served two years as President and became the second female President of the Institution. Launched the IEPNG Strategic Plan 2023–2028 and chaired the Land Transport Sub-committee of the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council.
Joseph Hamylton
President, IEPNG
Also served as President in 2011–2012 and 2013–2014, and as a Council/Board Member over many years between 2008 and 2024.
Finkewe Zurecnuoc
President, IEPNG · Chairman, PERB
Also Chairman of the Professional Engineers Registration Board (PERB) during this period. A strong advocate for professional registration and competency-based assessment — the Competency Based Assessment (CBA) process introduced in 2017 became a key mechanism for assessing engineers. Also represented engineers on the National Procurement Commission Board, and earlier served as CEO of IEPNG (2006–2007).
Brian Alois
President, IEPNG
A strong advocate for professional accountability and improved standards in infrastructure development. Raised concerns about road construction costs and engineering accountability at the National Planning Summit in Lae, and served in senior infrastructure and road-management roles within the Department of Works.
Ila Mari
President, IEPNG
Served two terms as President (2015–2016 and 2017–2018) and represented IEPNG on the University of Technology Engineering and Science Industrial Advisory Board, supporting engineering education and industry–university engagement.
Eric Sikam
President, IEPNG
Served two terms as President (2008–2009 and 2016–2017).
Ila Mari
President, IEPNG
First term as President; see 2017–2018 above for further detail.
Moses Gurra
President, IEPNG
Served as President after earlier serving as Deputy President of the Institution.
Joseph Hamylton
President, IEPNG
Second of three terms as President; see 2022–2023 above for further detail.
John Cholai
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Joseph Hamylton
President, IEPNG
First of three terms as President; see 2022–2023 above for further detail.
Peniel Pitalot
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Dr Fifaia Matainaho
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Eric Sikam
President, IEPNG
First of two terms as President; see 2016–2017 above for further detail.
Sen Hugo
President, IEPNG
Continued to contribute to the Institution's professional and educational engagement well beyond his presidency, including recent consultations on the development of civil engineering education in Papua New Guinea.
Raka Taviri Jr
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Peter Loko
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Patrick Amini
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Dr Graham Atkins
President, IEPNG
Also served as CEO of IEPNG for several years through the 1990s.
Dr Valipuram Malavarayamudali Puvanchandran
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Dr Foad Seddigh
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Richard Baker
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Sevese Maso
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Ano Mark
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Eusebius Omi
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Pai Vagi Gure
President, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Frank Kramer
President, IEPNG
Recognised in Institution records as an early President of IEPNG, at the time the Society of Professional Engineers — the first professional engineering body in Papua New Guinea.
Chief Executive Officers, current to earliest
Benedict Mick
Chief Executive Officer, IEPNG
No additional biographical notes on record for this term.
Finkewe Zurecnuoc
Chief Executive Officer, IEPNG
Later served as President of IEPNG (2019–2022) and as Chairman of the Professional Engineers Registration Board (PERB).