A Message From FES President Dr. Charles Davis
Dear fellow FES members,
As we step into May, I want to take a moment to reflect on April, which was National Volunteer Month – a time to celebrate the spirit of service and recognize those who give their time and energy to make a difference. At FES, our success is built on the dedication of volunteers who help lead, shape, and support the future of our profession.
As we prepare for the 2025 – 2026 year, I encourage each of you to consider volunteering for one of our many FES Committees or even stepping into a Committee Chair role. Whether your interest lies in education, society development, or with a particular interest group, there’s a place for your talents. You can explore opportunities and express your interest by visiting fleng.org/membership/committee-opportunities.
Volunteering not only helps move FES forward—it also helps you. Active involvement is often a key consideration in our awards and recognition programs. It’s a powerful way to build your leadership profile, grow your network, and give back to the profession that has given so much to us.
Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, the Florida Legislative Session is coming to a close this Friday, May 2. While there’s still much work to be done—particularly on finalizing the budget—we remain watchful as the final pieces come together. I encourage you to join what could be the last Legislative Update Call for this Session on Friday.
On a brighter note, I’m thrilled to share that the Florida MATHCOUNTS® team has once again showcased their incredible talent during the state competition held last March at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University! Please join me in congratulating our top state competition winners as they prepare to represent Florida at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition, led by the winning team’s coach, Jake Frazer, in Washington, D.C., on May 11-12. We wish them the very best and know they’ll make us proud!
- 1st Place: Arnav Bhatia – Plantation
- 2nd Place: Gnaneswar Peddesugari – Tallahassee
- 3rd Place: Edwin Gao – Gainesville
- 4th Place: Rananjay Parmar – Jacksonville
As we invest in the future of engineering, I ask you to consider supporting our FES Student Chapters. Your financial support will ensure these student-led groups have the resources they need to thrive by helping to:
- Fund guest speakers & expert panels
- Organize hands-on workshops & networking events
- Sponsor industry site visits & real-world learning experiences
- Support student-led research initiatives
As a donor, you’ll be recognized on our website, acknowledged at student chapter events, and receive a personalized thank-you letter from the students whose futures you are helping to shape. Learn more about one of our Student Chapters by clicking here.
Additionally, we are seeking donations to support the Engineering School Alumni Receptions at the FES|ACEC Florida Annual Conference in July. Â These receptions provide a platform for universities and colleges across Florida to showcase their engineering programs, connect with industry leaders, and engage with alumni and students. We are seeking donations to help offset expenses for these engineering programs and ensure strong representation from all participating schools. Your support will also help bring faculty from all universities and colleges to these receptions, where they can promote their engineering programs and strengthen industry-academic partnerships.
Lastly, our upcoming board meeting is scheduled to take place in Sarasota, Florida, on May 8-9, and we will conduct our planning for 2025 as well as the board orientation. Since I will be preparing to transition to the role of past president at the next meeting, the FES | ACEC Florida Annual Conference, at the JW Marriott in Marco Island, July 30-August 2. This will provide me with the chance to evaluate our achievements and the growth obstacles we continue to encounter as an organization. Please register early and reserve your hotel room for the conference as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Davis, Ph.D., SSGB | Associate Professor
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | davisc14@erau.edu
