At DRMP, we prioritize and encourage employee involvement in professional organizations as a key part of our business strategy. This commitment is reinforced during annual reviews in which we actively support staff in joining and participating in these organizations.
As a result, our staff includes several talented professionals who hold leadership roles in the A/E/C industry, sharing their expertise and knowledge to support industry advancement.
Participation in professional organizations provides a wealth of benefits, including avenues for career growth, valuable networking opportunities, continuous learning, and a strong support system. Holding leadership positions within these organizations not only boosts the credibility and visibility of our staff but also enhances their influence and impact within the A/E/C industry.
Project Manager Bruno Arriola, PE, ENV SP, President of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Tampa Bay Chapter, credits his ASHE involvement to his supervisor and mentor, Tampa Roadway Group Leader and Project Manager Pavan Paiavula, PE, who introduced him into the chapter and remains actively involved as a past president.
“He wanted me involved in a professional organization to gain more knowledge and to increase DRMP’s presence at these events,” Arriola said. “As a young engineer at the time, I was a bit hesitant to commit my time toward a professional organization, but now I am very glad I joined and helped our chapter by serving in many roles throughout the years.”
Giving Back to Profession and Charity
In an environment where many employers overlook the value of professional organization involvement, Julian Poole, PE, Pensacola Office Leader and Roadway Engineer, highlights a different approach at DRMP.
“It seems like professional organization involvement is not as strong as it used to be, so it is a struggle to get new volunteers,” said Poole, who is the President of the Pensacola Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). “A lot of companies don’t support their employees being active members, so I appreciate that DRMP invests in the local engineering community.
“My boss put it down on a performance review that I needed to get involved with a professional organization,” Poole continued. “I picked ASCE and initially got plugged in as the Secretary.”
Poole’s involvement with ASCE includes organizing its annual golf tournament, partnering with the local Boys and Girls Club by hosting its Christmas Party for the past five years, and planning activities for social and career development.
“As the President, in planning activities I like to alternate between a technical presentation and a social event,” he said. “Our budget allows for us to sponsor happy hours at local restaurants and bars, and people appreciate the opportunity to network and genuinely have a good time.”
Satisfaction in Helping Others
Our employees take great pride in mentoring and supporting others, creating a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
Transportation Director and Senior Vice President Amanda Woods, PE, holds the role of Central Florida Chapter Director of Advancement for Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS).
Woods first got involved with WTS in 2015 and was an active member attending networking events and luncheons. This past year, she took on the role as Director of Advancement, which leads three committees: scholarship, student liaison, and Transportation You. The organization encourages middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students to start networking and getting involved in the transportation field early on.
“DRMP values career advancement and growth,” Woods said. “We want our team members to be leaders in transportation by encouraging and supporting them as leaders in industry organizations. This provides them with opportunities to collaborate with individuals across the transportation industry and be at the forefront of what is happening in our community.”
Woods said she gains satisfaction from helping others and guiding them along their career path, especially early on in their career.
“When I started in engineering there really weren't many females and certainly not in leadership positions,” she said. “Now, I want to ensure that younger women know that there is a path to anything that they may want to do in their career, whether it be a project manager at an engineering company or the CEO of a toll agency, they can do it. I’m also inspired by the talent and drive that many younger women have that are entering the field and the accomplished women that have established themselves in our field as leaders. I want to work with them not only at WTS to advance women in transportation but at DRMP and as teaming partners.”
Enhancing Professional Development
Professional organizations also offer workshops, seminars, and conferences to enhance a professional’s skills and knowledge as well as provide access to certifications and continuing education programs.
Environmental Department Manager Rachel Schmidt, PWS, has been an active member of the Central Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (CFAEP) for eight years and has been its Treasurer for three years.
“The organization provides a valuable platform for environmental professionals to connect and advance their expertise,” she said.
Members have access to a variety of professional development opportunities, including specialized courses, such as hydric soil trainings and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) workshops, along with participation in community initiatives, such as the Wekiva River Clean Up.
Schmidt said quarterly luncheons also offer engaging speakers who provide members with regulatory updates and information on emerging trends within the environmental field, ensuring members stay well-informed and engaged in their field.
Involvement in professional organizations also gives members access to valuable resources, such as research papers, industry reports, and best practices in the industry.
DRMP Transportation Noise Group Leader Robyn Hartz was recently appointed to the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Transportation-Related Noise and Vibration.
As a member of the Committee, Hartz will be at the forefront of changes in policy, noise modeling, and research. She also will assist in guiding the direction of future noise-related endeavors.
“I see my involvement in the Transportation Research Board as an opportunity not just for professional growth but to make a meaningful impact,” Hartz said. “It's about being an active contributor to change and helping shape policies and research initiatives that will define the future of transportation noise.”
Senior Project Manager Brandon Robbins, PSM, said his supervisor, Vice President/Jacksonville Survey Department Manager Bill Faust, PSM, encouraged him to get involved in the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS). Robbins, who is president of FSMS, said the organization has helped him grow professionally “by being able to talk in front of larger crowds.”
“It has also helped me to organize and plan meetings for important topics and brainstorming of ways to tackle new projects,” he said. “I feel this experience and role has also shown me and others that I can fill a different leadership position in the company as needed.”
Survey Analyst Melissa Padilla Cintron in 2023 was appointed President of the Florida Young Surveyors Network, which is part of a national network developed to build networks and grow relationships for surveyors under the age of 35 or recently graduated.
“Everyone is welcome to join our activities since we are a medium to expand our network and promote surveying and professional development,” she said. “Being in this position has helped me develop as a professional. On a personal note, I have always been a little reserved, and this position has helped me get out of my comfort zone.”
Federal Survey Manager Randy Tompkins, PSM, PLS, PS, serves as a prime example of professional advancement, steadily ascending the ladder within the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Jacksonville Post in Florida after several years of involvement. He serves as its Vice President but will assume the role of Post President on June 20. Tompkins is also the Chair of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Council, a committee of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS).
“Joining SAME is an excellent opportunity to regularly connect with industry peers, stay informed about the latest trends and challenges, and support the defense of our nation,” Tompkins said. “Additionally, I see it as a chance to contribute to the profession."
