A Message From FES President Ronald Colas
Greetings fellow FES members,
For my message this month, I would like to talk about our recent activities at PE Legislative Days, a new policy FES adopted recently, celebrating engineers in February, and my recent recognition by the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF).
Professional Engineers Day at the Capitol
The Future of Engineering is made stronger every legislative session by our members’ commitment to personally visit lawmakers at the Capitol with follow-ups in their local districts.
This past January 9-11, 2024, were Professional Engineers Legislative Days. Our Board of Directors and members visited with legislators in Tallahassee to lobby against bills that impact our profession, licensure, and industry.
As I write this message, the legislative session is going well, but threats remain.
We discussed our position on bills in advance during our Board of Directors meeting in November.
Two bills were of particular interest to FES:
- Senate Bill “CS/CB 382” and House Companion “HB 497: Continuing Education Requirements” would exempt certain individuals from completing their continuing education requirements in the event that there is no Board of Business and Professional Regulation.
- SB 497 also would give authority to the Secretary of the Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR) to overrule a decision made by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) regarding licensure by endorsement. This bill is to lessen requirements for PEs licensed in other states that have not met the requirements outlined in Chapter 471.
As such, we have opposed both bills and are happy to report that engineers have been removed from the bill releasing licensed professionals from CEU requirements after ten years of licensure.
Incoming Speaker of the House Daniel Perez (R 116) and FES 2024 PE Days Participants
January may have ended, but the legislative session is still proceeding. We encourage our members to take an active role in the legislative process by joining us for our weekly legislative update calls. Once the Session has concluded, we hope members will take the opportunity to schedule appointments with legislators in their district offices. For more photos and a full recap of the PE Legislative Days, visit the Professional Engineers Day page on our website.
New Initiative Adopted at 2023 November Board Meeting
We adopted a new anti-harassment and discrimination Code of Conduct policy that became effective immediately. Going forward, this policy will be enforced at Board meetings, PE days, and all general events. Please make sure to check the consent box to agree to the terms when registering for future FES events.
Celebrating Engineers, Women in Engineering and Black History Month
In February, we celebrate Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and Black History Month. Why is it important to celebrate engineers and female engineers as we also celebrate the contributions of African Americans?
Celebrating Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and Black History Month in February is vital because it allows us to recognize and appreciate the contributions, achievements, and impact of engineers, female engineers, and African Americans in our society. Engineers play a crucial role in shaping our world through innovative solutions and technological advancements. Many children, particularly young girls, and members of different ethnic groups, may not see the engineering field as accessible. By highlighting the work of all engineers, we can inspire future generations to pursue careers in engineering and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Simultaneously, honoring African American stories in February is a way to acknowledge their significant role in shaping various fields, including engineering. By recognizing the accomplishments of African American engineers and many other ethnic groups, we can promote diversity and inclusion within the engineering community, encouraging individuals from all backgrounds to pursue careers in this field.
Moreover, commemorating Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and African American contributions in February allows us to emphasize the importance of intersectionality and the recognition of multiple achievements simultaneously. It showcases the diversity of talent and the rich tapestry of contributions that have made our society what it is today.
Overall, celebrating these three groups of people in February is a way to honor the achievements of these individuals and inspire future generations to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on the world. Sharing the stories of the diverse members of our society aligns with our goal to promote STEM education as it sheds light on the endless possibilities young students have available to them.
Community Champion Recognition
I am pleased and humbled to share with you that I was recently recognized as a Community Champion by the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF) for the work that I have been doing with FES and the engineering profession. Thank you for your kind comments and for allowing me to bring my culture to FES.
Ronald M. Colas, P.E. S.I., FES Fellow | Jacobs | Vice President
FLPR Transportation Strategic Growth and Business Development Manager
Ronald.Colas@jacobs.com
