A Message from the President

Heath Jenkins, PE

2025-2026 President, ASCE Florida Section

I am honored to serve as the President of the ASCE Florida Section for 2025-2026 and am filled with optimism and enthusiasm about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. For those who don’t know me, I have been involved with the Florida Section since reinstating the Pensacola Branch of ASCE in 2012. Since that time, I have served as Pensacola Branch President, Florida Section Secretary/Treasurer and spent the last few years on the Student Activities Committee. I recently joined Chen Moore and Associates as the Director of Aviation and am working to establish our presence in Pensacola having started an office here in June of 2025. 

My involvement with ASCE began when I attended the T&DI airfield pavements conference and wondered why we didn’t have a local ASCE branch in Pensacola. After asking this question at the ASCE Section level, I was encouraged to start one. That led to my involvement in a wide range of activities over the last decade plus, including Section Secretary/Treasurer during COVID, where we were forced to cancel in-person meetings, including the summer conference. I transitioned to the Student Activities Committee and saw that the student chapters were suffering from the aftermath of COVID and lack of continuity in leadership. Many of our student chapters ended up starting over with little to no input from students who had run the ASCE chapter in the past. I am happy to say that our Section has fully rebounded from those challenging times, and our Section and Branches are stronger than ever. This year we had our largest attendance at the annual conference with more than 400 attendees participating. 

During my time working with the students, I learned just how dynamic and impressive engineering students in the state of Florida are. The emergence of our student chapters from the COVID years has built a camaraderie amongst the schools that is tremendous to see. Of course, that camaraderie is put on pause during the Student Symposium, but it is alive and well the rest of the year. I was excited to be part of the Florida Section team that helped coordinate and plan the 2024 ASCE Southeast Student Symposium, a year when no school was prepared to host. I also worked with the Student Activities Committee to establish the Student Success Conference, where we focus one day on our students and what they can expect in the professional world once they graduate. 

I am passionate about our STEM outreach and our ability to connect to the younger generation of engineers. Over the next year, I am optimistic that we can find ways to improve the reach of the ASCE Bridge Florida Competition. The program created by USACE, and originally called the West Point Bridge Competition, has not been updated to work on Chromebooks, as it must be downloaded to a hard drive. We will work to find a solution to this problem and update the program so that it is more accessible today and well into the future. I also have the goal of formalizing our Younger Member Group (YMG) by establishing a board and bylaws to help them grow into the future.  

I would like to thank all our members for your continued support and dedication to ASCE. Your participation in our events, committees, and initiatives has been instrumental in moving our Section forward. The Section will continue to be committed to providing valuable resources, networking opportunities, and advocating for the critical issues that impact our profession. Your feedback and participation are essential as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our membership.  

Our Board Officers, Committee Chairs, Branch Leadership, Student Chapter Leadership, and Technical Group Leadership are all focused on providing top-notch membership experiences and benefits. We have a number of major activities taking place in Florida this year beginning with the Eastern Region Younger Member Council (ERMYC) and Multi-Regional Leadership Conference (MRLC) which will be held in Jacksonville, January 8-10, 2026. The Southeast Student Symposium will be hosted by Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, March 12-14, 2026. Both the Jacksonville Branch and Florida Atlantic University Student Chapter would appreciate your support by sponsoring or volunteering. 

I encourage each of you to get involved and take advantage of the various programs and activities that the Section and the local Branches have planned for this coming year. Your participation is crucial to our success, and I am eager to hear your ideas and feedback on how we can continue to improve and serve you better. I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year and achieving remarkable things together. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to ASCE and the civil engineering profession. 

Heath Jenkins, PE

2025-2026 President

ASCE Florida Section Annual Conference

Thank you for the support!

Did you attend the 2025 ASCE FL Section Annual Conference? We would love to hear your feedback! Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below:

Welcome to our 2025-2026 Officers!

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners!

1929 Scholarship Program

E. Bruce Lawson, PE, Scholarship Chair

What an exciting time to be serving as the Florida Section Scholarship Chair. Starting in 2026 with two $1000 Past Presidents Scholarships this year we awarded over $13,000 in scholarships.

This year’s scholarship recipients are as follows:

• $1500 Past Presidents Undergraduate Emilio Castellanos Florida International University
• $1500 Past Presidents Graduate Francisa Kasubi Florida International University
• $500 EPIC/Chittaluru Family Edward Collazo Borges University of Central Florida
• $1000 Hayden Family Daniel Rodrigues University of South Florida
• $1000 Universal Engineering Sciences Matthew Maisano Florida Atlantic University
• $1500 Madrid Family Martha Maria Santos University of Central Florida
• $1500 Kathy J Caldwell Women in Engineering Allison Melvin University of Maimi
• $1500 E Bruce Lawson LGBQT Bahar Arian University of Maimi
• $1500 E. Bruce Lawson Leadership Beatrice Ribiero Emery Riddle Aeronautical University
• $1929 Florida Section Centennial Matt Pfau Florida Gulf Coast University

In 1929 the Florida Section was founded with H.N. Rodenbaugh as its first president. This small group of engineers probably never envisioned that by 2029 this new Florida Section would be awarding more than 15 scholarships whose total value exceed $25,000. To put this in prospective of a civil engineer working in 1929: the over $25,000 in scholarships expected to be given out in 2029 is more than 5 times their salary that year!

The first 1929 Florida Section Centennial Scholarship (known as the 1929 Scholarship) was awarded this year to Matt Pfau from Florida Gulf Coast University to kick off the fundraising campaign for the newest scholarship program in the Florida Section. The 1929 Scholarship campaign is a member-focused fundraising plan to create at a new endowment in partnership with the Florida Engineering Foundation that will support 6+ scholarships starting at the planned gala celebration in 2029. A brief outline of the fundraising goals and levels is outlined below:

• Donor Level: This level goal is to have a minimum of 2029 members each donating $100 to the 1929 Scholarship Endowment Fund.
• Scholar Level: This level goal is to have 100 members who will donate $100 each year from 2025 to 2029 or donate $500 at any time during the campaign.
• Legendary Level: This level goal is to have 20 members each donating $1929 at some point during the campaign. However, based on conversations with members after the announcement, we are looking to establish a monthly billing system to allow you to set up an automatic payment of $100/month for 20 months.

Every member who donates at minimum of $100 will receive a lapel pin.

In addition, for each $100 donated by March 31 each year, there will be a drawing at the Section’s Spring Board of Directors Meeting for a complimentary registration at the annual conference that year. All tickets stay in the drawing pool so it is possible to win multiple years. In addition, there will be additional drawings from the ticket pool at each Board of Directors meeting from items donated by members. At the fall BOD meeting there is a one week stay to a resort in in Dominican Republic donated by Erik Alcantara, the outgoing President of the Miami-Dade Branch.

In the January BOD meeting (date TBA), a Sunday to Thursday night Stay at E. Bruce Lawson’s Cabin in Live Oak Florida will be drawn.

If you or your company have an item that you would like to donate, please reach out to Judy Nichols.

Save the Date - The 2026 Annual Conference

July 8-10, 2026, at the Westin Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort

Be on the lookout for information on presenting, exhibiting and sponsoring!

Welcome our Newest Student Chapter:

Florida Polytechnic University

The ASCE Florida Section is very excited to welcome its newest student chapter that has formed at Florida Polytechnical University in Lakeland! Carla Cruz-Valenzuela contacted the Section in February. All of the paperwork has been completed and submitted to ASCE and we anxiously await the final approval that should take place just in time for them to attend the 2026 ASCE Southeast Student Symposium hosted by FAU in March. They are busy planning their schedule, but if a company is interested in sponsoring a meeting or providing a field trip, please contact Carla.

Student Success Conference

The Florida Section will host its 4th Student Success Conference in Jacksonville, on Friday, October 24, 2025. This is an all-day soft skills seminar with a career fair. Student registration is $25 and includes attendance at the event, coffee, buffet lunch and attendance at the after party at The Main Event. This event centers on soft skills and involves the sponsors throughout the day.

Students, click here to register.

Sponsorship begins $1,500 for this interactive event. There are also 2 sponsorships available for the after party event at $2500. Contact Judy Nichols for more information.

2026 ASCE Southeast Student Symposium

Hosted by ASCE Florida Atlantic University Student Chapter

The ASCE Southeast Student Symposium is one of twenty-one ASCE regional student symposia held annually as an opportunity for ASCE student chapters in their respective regions to showcase their skills and achievements by designing, building, and/or competing in various civil engineering activities.

The ASCE student symposia take place in the spring and include competitions, professional and personal development opportunities, networking, and of course fun, as a celebration of civil engineering and the ASCE community.

The ASCE Southeast Region includes 20 universities from Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico. In 2026, the ASCE Southeast Student Symposium will be hosted at Florida Atlantic University! 

Click here for the sponsorship opportunities. For more information, please visit the symposium website.

ASCE New Faces of Civil Engineering Collegiate Edition

Congratulations to our very own Yonacary Wingard from Florida International University (upper left) for being featured!

Check out the entire article here!

ASCE Presidents & Governors Forum

Tzufit Boyle, PE, F.ASCE

Governor, ASCE Region 5

Region 5 board members recently met in Alabama in person to discuss happenings at the Society and the Region.

ASCE’s Board of Direction met recently. Board members discussed the need to bring more people into the profession and brainstormed some ideas like improving the certification process and continuing education. Another topic discussed was how to better support our students for symposium both at local and national competitions. As the convention shifts to a new format, incorporating the Institutes and providing a different experience, the convention in Seattle this year will mark the last of its kind. 2026 will not have a convention, and the new format will be unveiled in Philadelphia in March 2027. 

Society elections were held during the month of May, and the results are in: Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., MPA, F.ASCE has been elected to lead the Society as the 2026-27 President. Marsha Anderson Bomar will be installed as the 2025-26 President at the Convention in Seattle in October. A ballot measure that also passed is the shift to make all Associate and Affiliated Members simply Member grade. Region 5 had three Governor position listed on the ballot: Patrick Kaimrajh for Florida, Julie Secrist for Georgia, and Hector Colón de la Cruz for Puerto Rico. They will be installed at the Presidents and Governors Forum in September. 

The Presidents and Governors Forum is taking place in Reston, VA on September 14-15. Please verify with Nancy Berson (nberson@asce.org) that there is still time to sign up, but every branch should provide at the very least the incoming or newly installed President, but should also consider sending the next person coming up in branch leadership. 

Region 5’s awards program closes on September 30. Requirements are listed on the website. The Florida Section winners for Engineer, Young Engineer, and Student of the Year will be submitted for consideration. Winners will be announced at the end of October, and those awards will be distributed at end of year events. Region 5 provides grants for recruitment efforts to branches who apply to cover expenses for these membership growth events. Applications and contacts are also provided on the website. 

Remember that your Florida Governors and Director are available and want to come to your branch for special events and installations at your request. Please be sure to copy us on your invitations throughout the year!

Meet our Members!

Every quarter we focus on one of our outstanding active current members, one student member and one life member to highlight the benefits of ASCE and our profession. In addition, we have also added a new category for younger members. 

Student Members

Why did you join ASCE?

Bryan: I joined ASCE to be part of a supportive and driven community, and to help contribute to its continued growth and success

What would you say has been the best benefit of being a member?  

Estefania: I think the best benefit has been meeting so many people and seeing how many opportunities are available through being a part of this club, as well as getting the opportunity to gain hands on experience through events like symposium.

What advice would you give to other students/professionals on the benefits of joining a professional society and participating in the organization?  

Bryan: Joining a professional society is one of the most valuable tools for advancing your career. It opens doors to mentorship, leadership development, networking, and real-world opportunities that you won’t find in the classroom alone.

What is the most interesting thing about yourself that you can share?  

Bryan: I’ve been playing jazz on the bass guitar for over 10 years — it's a creative outlet that keeps me balanced and inspired.

What was your first experience joining ASCE?  

Estefania: After only going to a single ASCE GBM and not knowing anyone, I took the risk and applied for an E-Board position thinking I was not going to get it. To my surprise, I became the Marketing Director without any background knowledge on what ASCE was. Everyone was extremely welcome and made me feel like I had been there for a long time.

Younger Member

Courtlyn Hisey, M.Eng., PE

ASCE Jacksonville YMG Chair

Why did you join ASCE?

As a student at FIU, I first discovered ASCE through a concrete frisbee competition. What started as a fun event quickly became a turning point. I met passionate students and professionals who opened my eyes to what ASCE is really about: connection, mentorship, and community. That experience inspired me to get involved, not just to grow as an engineer, but to surround myself with people who support and challenge each other to succeed.

What would you say has been the best benefit of being a younger member?

The best part of being a younger member is the strong sense of community. ASCE helps bridge the gap between college and the professional world, offering mentorships and friendships along the way. Whether it's guidance on taking the PE exam or navigating the early stages of your career, there's always someone to lean on. I've moved cities a few times, and every time, ASCE helped me plug into a local group where I felt welcomed and connected right away.

What advice would you give to other young professionals on the benefits of joining a professional society and participating in the organization?

My advice is to go beyond just signing up, but to actually be involved too. Attend events, join a committee, and volunteer for a leadership role! Professional societies like ASCE offer so many opportunities to grow your network, build leadership skills, and explore areas of engineering outside your day-to-day work. Some of my most meaningful connections and learning moments have come from simply showing up and saying “yes” to something new.

How did ASCE help with your transition from Student Member to YMG?

ASCE made my transition into professional life smooth because I already had strong connections through my student involvement. I had met younger engineers who encouraged me to stay engaged, and joining the YMG felt like a natural next step. It gave me a built-in support system with familiar faces, mentors, and opportunities to continue learning and leading right after graduation.

What was a time you felt most accomplished as an engineer?

One of my proudest moments was passing the PE exam earlier this year. It was a long journey of studying, balancing work, and pushing through moments of doubt. I’ve never been a confident test taker, so reaching that milestone meant more than just earning a license; it was proof that persistence pays off. Finding out I passed the day before my birthday made the celebration even sweeter!



Member

Barton J. Fye, PE, ENV SP

ASCE Florida Section President-Elect

Why did you join ASCE? 

I first joined ASCE in college, having changed majors from Mechanical Engineering I was looking to build relationships with those in my major, most of whom had been in the same cohort for a couple years before I arrived. I quickly found that ACE was a great place to grow my network and find mentorship, learning opportunities, etc.

What advice would you give to other students/professionals on the benefits of joining a professional society and participating in the organization? 

While there are great benefits to membership, if you truly want to see value in a professional organization keep in mind you will get out what you put in. Being an active participant in the society will allow you to have an influence on events and the path of the organization itself. You can help shape the future of your profession and grow from the lessons you learn along the way.

What is the most interesting thing about yourself that you can share? 

Currently the Principal-in-Charge for a multidisciplinary design team working on all the sitework for Inter Miami CF’s new home at Miami Freedom Park (https://miamifreedompark.com/).

What was a time you felt most accomplished as an engineer? 

Definitely closeout of the first construction of a project I was the engineer-of-record for. It was a local roadway project that added multimodal facilities to an existing municipal road, seeing it complete was very satisfying. Probably one of the most satisfying things about what we do is being able to visit the places that you’ve improved the world around you.



Life Member

Daniel C. Stanfill, P.E.

ASCE East Central Branch

Why did you join ASCE?

It was and is the primary Engineering Society for my profession. 

Engineers that I knew that were already members seemed to enjoy ASCE, and I wanted to be a part of it!

What advice would you give our younger members about the benefits of ASCE?

ASCE provides a vehicle for young engineers to join colleagues and peers for learning, leadership development and establishing professional relationships/friendships. I honestly believe becoming a member and, hopefully, an active member will pay dividends for your career.

What is one of the most memorable experiences associated with your career in engineering?

One memorable experience was when I was Chairperson of the East Central Florida Branch YMF and we received the Younger Member Group Award. I was able to attend the National Convention in San Francisco and receive the Award. Our YMF that year really pulled together and got recognized for our efforts.

What do you believe is your greatest accomplishment in your career?

Balancing being a Professional Engineer, husband, and father. Just like being an Engineer with multiple projects, this is one of the hardest skills to learn and one they don’t teach you in Engineering School!

Career Opportunities

Project Civil Engineer (48151)

Langan

Location: Orlando, FL, US, 32827

Langan is seeking a Site / Civil Project Engineer to join its collaborative team in Orlando, FL. This individual will serve a key function in performing and coordinating the planning, design and permitting of civil engineering, land development and infrastructure projects, and coaching, training, and overseeing staff. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work as part of a passionate, collaborative team of civil engineers, working on exciting and meaningful projects across many different market sectors. Our work includes projects in healthcare, higher education, distribution, K-12, commercial, office, retail, mixed-use, and more.

For more information, please see the full job listing.

Project Civil Engineer (48175)

Langan

Location: West Palm Beach, FL, US, 33411 Miami, FL, US, 33131

Langan is seeking a Project Engineer to join its collaborative team in West Palm Beach or Miami, FL. This individual will serve a key function in performing and coordinating the planning, design and permitting of civil engineering, land development and infrastructure projects, and coaching, training, and overseeing staff. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work as part of a passionate, collaborative team of civil engineers, working on exciting and meaningful projects across many different market sectors. Our work includes projects in healthcare, higher education, distribution, K-12, commercial, office, retail, mixed-use, and more.

For more information, please see the full job listing.

Engineering Intern - Maitland, FL

Visium Resources

Visium Resources has been asked to seek qualified candidates for this Civil Engineering Graduate and/or Engineering Intern to fill an open position in our client's office, located in Maitland, to assist with our current project workload. This role provides an opportunity to work in a medium-sized office with ties to the resources and benefits of a much larger firm.

For more information, please see the full job listing.

Stormwater Engineer - Maitland, FL

Visium Resources

Visium Resources has been asked to seek qualified candidates for this Civil Engineering Graduate and/or Engineering Intern to fill an open position in our client's office, located in Maitland, to assist with our current project workload. This role provides an opportunity to work in a medium-sized office with ties to the resources and benefits of a much larger firm.

For more information, please see the full job listing.