Do you know a Professional Engineer who has made an outstanding contribution to the engineering profession in Florida? Each year, ACEC Florida honors excellence and achievement in engineering in the Sunshine State with the following awards. Take advantage of the opportunity to gain recognition for your firm and other individuals important to your business. We encourage your nominations for the following awards programs:
The ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the consulting engineering profession through a comprehensive evaluation of projects by a distinguished panel of experts in related fields. The top recipients at the state level proceed to the national competition administered by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), where they will compete for, among other awards, the coveted Grand Conceptor Award.
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC Florida) annually recognizes outstanding achievement by its member firms in accomplishing Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) studies and projects.
Firms are nominated for awards in eight project award categories:
- Outstanding Major Project
- Outstanding Design-Build or CM at Risk Project
- Outstanding Roadway Project
- Outstanding Bridge Project
- Outstanding PD&E / Planning Project
- Outstanding Environmental Project
- Outstanding Special Project
- Outstanding Safety Project
To be considered for an outstanding project award, transportation projects must have been included in FDOT’s 5-Year Work Program and completed between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
The ACEC Florida Outstanding Projects Award Committee, comprised of FDOT and ACEC Florida representatives, selects the winner in each of the eight project categories.
Recognizes the outstanding personal efforts of its recipient to advance the technical and professional practice of geotechnical engineering firms in Florida for a minimum of ten years.
Application Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026
Governor A.W. Gilchrist Award is presented to a Florida-registered professional engineer who has brought recognition to the profession through the public office and/or civic leadership with significant participation in ACEC Florida and other professional and technical activities and societies. Recipients can showcase their expertise, be seen as a pillar of the community, and be recognized by their peers for their professional contributions.
The award application deadline for 2025 has passed.
Gwynn earned his bachelor’s in civil engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1983. He subsequently served as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army and the Florida National Guard. Along the way, he also earned his master’s in engineering from the University of Florida.
In 1991, he co-founded TEI Engineers & Planners, which grew from two employees to 125 employees before being sold in 2004. During this time, Gwynn was active in the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE), serving on the Transportation Committee and as Chairman of the Professional Practices Committee. He later served in executive roles in large engineering firms until joining the Florida Department of Transportation in 2016, including serving eight years as the District 7 Secretary.
The Professional Development Award recognizes employers of engineering personnel who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement and improvement of the engineering profession through employment policies and practices. It is presented to the nominated employer of engineering personnel who has made the most outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of the engineering profession through its employment policies and practices in accord with established professional practices as outlined in Guidelines to Professional Employment for Engineers and Scientists. Factors considered include conditions of employment, recruiting practices, utilization of personnel, encouragement of registration, compensation, professional development, and internal communications.
The award application deadline for 2025 has passed.
For more than a century, HNTB Corporation has been at the forefront of designing and advancing transportation infrastructure that enhances mobility and improves local communities. With client relationships spanning decades, they understand infrastructure life cycles and have perspective and experience to solve the most complex technical financial and operational challenges with vision and imagination. As employee owners committed to excellence, they prioritize client success while delivering a full spectrum of infrastructure-related services, spanning markets like architecture, aviation, highways, bridges, transit and rail.
The ACEC Florida Young Professional of the Year Award strives to promote the accomplishments of young engineers by highlighting their engineering contributions and the resulting impact on society. The campaign is designed to enhance and improve the image of engineering by recognizing young, diverse, and talented engineers, thereby portraying engineering as an exciting profession open to everyone.
Recipients of the ACEC Florida Young Professional of the Year Award will be submitted to the national ACEC Young Professional of the Year Award.
The award application deadline for 2025 has passed.
With over a decade of experience, Pucker has dedicated her career to improving road safety and enhancing the systems that connect communities. From leading innovative safety initiatives to optimizing traffic signals across Florida, her work is driven by a clear mission: to create safer, smarter and more efficient ravel for everyone. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of North Florida, gaining the technical foundation to support her efforts.
ACEC Florida Community Service Award recognizes ACEC Florida members for their accomplishments in community service. Winning individuals can be recognized for their contribution to their community and be seen as a leader in their firm.
Recipients of the ACEC Florida Community Service Award will be submitted to the national ACEC Community Service Award Competition.
The award application deadline for 2025 has passed.
The College of Fellows is a distinguished class of engineers who have been selected by their peers as deserving recognition for exemplary contributions to the profession. Election to the College of Fellows is administered by the Fellows Committee, which coordinates all Fellows activities and programs.
Carlos Penin is the President and founder of C.A.P. Government, Inc., and has more than 40 years of direct project and managerial function experience. He is past president of the Florida Engineering Society and actively involved in both FES and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida. Penin was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. He obtained his bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Florida, and his master’s in environmental and urban systems from Florida International University.
