World Demolition Awards 2026: meet the judges

The fate of the entries to the World Demolition Awards 2026 now lies in the hands of 12 demolition experts. They will spend the coming weeks pouring over the submitted material to help create the shortlists for each of the categories.

The panel judging the demolition projects comprise (in alphabetical order):

Henrik Bonnesen (1), project director, environmental and people, COWI (Denmark): An environmental and demolition consultant with more than 25 years’ experience, Henrik specialises in contaminated buildings, demolition planning and the reuse of materials. He is also an inspector for the Danish Demolition Association and has led major international environmental projects.

Leonard Cherry (2), manager, Cerise Family LLP (US): Leonard has over 42 years’ experience in the industry, having built Cherry Companies into one of the largest demolition contractors and waste recyclers in the US. A former president of the National Demolition Association (NDA), he now provides demolition consultancy services.

Francisco Cobo (3), independent demolition consultant: Francisco is a practising lawyer and founder of the Spanish Association of Demolition Contractors (AEDED). He served as president of the European Demolition Association (EDA) from 2018 to 2022 and is a former president of the European Decontamination Institute (EDI).

Dan Costello (4), founder and president, Costello Dismantling Company (US): Dan founded the company more than 40 years ago and has built a reputation for delivering complex demolition, dismantling and environmental projects. He was inducted into the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) Hall of Fame in 2022.

Clinton Dick (5), director, Liberty Industrial (Australia): Clinton is the founding director of Liberty Industrial and a civil engineer specialising in large-scale demolition and remediation projects. With more than 25 years of industry experience, he has overseen the delivery of major industrial deconstruction projects in Australia and internationally.

Patrick Frye (6), director of major projects, Cardem (France): Patrick has worked in demolition since 1986 and leads major international projects for Cardem, part of the Vinci Group. As current president of the EDA, he is a strong advocate for innovation, technical excellence and the sharing of best practice.

Jim Graham (7), principal and executive vice president, Winter Environmental (US): Jim has nearly five decades of experience in environmental remediation, demolition and decommissioning, overseeing complex projects across the US and Caribbean. His expertise spans contaminated site remediation, industrial dismantling and emergency response, alongside extensive industry and community leadership.

Ben Hayden (8), vice president, Hayden Wrecking (US): Ben is vice president of Hayden Wrecking, a third-generation family business with a long history in industrial demolition. As current president of the NDA, he is focused on workforce development, safety, training and attracting the next generation of professionals.

Scott Laird (9), director of business development, Trifecta Services Company (US): Scott has spent 45 years in the demolition industry, progressing from site labourer to senior management roles with some of the US’ leading contractors. An experienced industry leader and former NDA convention chair, he now drives strategic growth for Trifecta.

Bill Moore (10), independent demolition consultant (US): Bill is a respected demolition safety specialist and former president of the NDA. Following a distinguished career with Brandenburg Industrial Services and ERM, he continues to advise as an expert witness while remaining passionate about education and industry training.

Michele O’Rourke (11), CEO, O’Rourke Wrecking Company (US): Michele has led the business since 2019, overseeing complex demolition and remediation projects across the US. She also serves on several industry and workforce development boards, including the NDA awards committee and the State of Ohio governor’s workforce board.

David Sinclair (12), Safedem (UK): David is a demolition engineer with more than 55 years’ experience, with a particular focus on training and education. A past president of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) and the EDA, he has received lifetime achievement awards from the NFDC, NDA and EDA in recognition of his contribution.

The results of the judging panel’s deliberations will be unveiled at the end of August when the nominated companies are announced. Look out for the category shortlists on the D&Ri website and social media channels.

The winners will be called on stage to receive their trophies at the World Demolition Awards gala dinner, held in Madrid on 5 November as part of the World Demolition Summit.