Speaker Biography: A. Nihat Gokyigit

A.Nihat Gokyigit graduated from Robert College in Istanbul as civil engineer in 1946 and completed his studies at the University of Michigan with a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1948. He has worked as a project engineer in the USA and as soil and materials engineer in three airport constructions of Metcalfe-Hamilton & Grove and as an engineer in charge of the Konya Airport construction by the Ministry of Public Works of Turkey until becoming one of the founders of the Tekfen Group in 1956.

He was awarded "The State Superior Service Medal" by the President of the Turkish Republic in 1997 and holds an honorary doctorate at the University of Cukurova. Mr. Gokyigit is also a well-known spokesperson for and acting chairman of Turkey's largest environmental organization, TEMA which aims to combat soil erosion and advocates the protection of forests and natural habitats. He also holds senior posts in several other organizations including the Turkish-CIS Business Council and the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Business Council (of which he is a founding member and chairman), the Foreign Economic Relations Council (FERC) where he is a board member as well as holding the post of Honorary Consul General of Georgia in Istanbul. Mr. Gokyigit serves as Chairman or Board Member in several group companies.