DRMP employees joined more than 13,000 participants alongside sister firm, CPH Consulting, LLC, on April 30 at the AdventHealth Corporate 5K, also known as “Orlando’s largest office party.” The 3.1-mile race started along Robinson Street at Lake Eola Park downtown and drew more than 500 businesses and nonprofits.
The park buzzed with team tents for socializing, food trucks, and live DJs, creating a festival-like atmosphere. Along the course, runners and walkers were supported by live musicians and cheering spectators, with pizza slices handed out as participants streamed past.
Organized by Track Shack, a locally owned running store and longtime leader in Central Florida running and walking events, the race benefits the Track Shack Youth Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank.
DRMP’s participation highlights the firm's commitment to employee wellness, community engagement, and connection beyond the workplace.
Through the DRMPCares program, the firm covers all employee registration costs to encourage participation, teamwork, and giving back to the community. DRMPCares supports community initiatives in STEM education, health, and children’s programs.
After helping restart DRMP’s involvement in the event in 2024, DRMP Noise Group Leader Robyn Hartz, INCE, has also become known for another Corporate 5K tradition – dressing as a traffic cone each year. Now in her third year wearing the costume as team captain, Hartz said it’s been rewarding to watch participation continue to grow.
"This event has been a really great way to meet people I normally wouldn’t cross paths with during the workday," she said. "The traffic cone has kind of taken on a life of its own at this point, although after seeing the T-Rex out there this year, I may have to change it up next time.”
To add to the excitement, DRMP introduced its “Beat the COO Challenge,” a lighthearted competition that encouraged employees to push themselves while building camaraderie. Participants who finished with a faster time than Chief Operations Officer Mike Albano, PE, were eligible for prizes, including a commemorative trophy and a team lunch with leadership.
LiDAR Technician and UAS Pilot Ryan Ianacone, CST II, led all DRMP participants in this year’s race. A regular runner, Ianacone said the event offered a unique opportunity to combine a personal hobby with team engagement.
“I thought this was a great opportunity to share something I enjoy with other co-workers,” he said. “I had been training for months leading up to the race, and the challenge definitely added motivation. The biggest factor for me was the unknown of how fast the COO would be in the race, so I just had to do my best.”
For many employees, the event was about more than competition. Human Resources Benefits Specialist Dylan Nagel said the sense of community was what he appreciated most.
“I loved how involved with the community these events make you feel, and when I saw DRMP was doing this one, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to connect and network with not only DRMP and CPH employees but also other individuals who are involved with the Orlando community,” Nagel said. “I love the support from strangers you get while running the race. You have families cheering you on from their driveways, and even at mile 2, when I started to slow down, I got a pat of encouragement from a stranger to keep going.”
Nagel added that the experience also encouraged him to stay focused on overall wellness.
“It encouraged me to keep training and focus on my health,” he said. “I even signed up for Hinge Health through our benefits to help manage some knee pain as I continue running.”
Traffic Engineer Brandon Beaver said the event aligned with his personal goals of staying active and building healthier habits.
“What motivated me was wanting to eat better and be more active,” he said. “My wife and I walk a 5K several days a week, so this fit right into what we’re already doing. The Beat the COO Challenge was a great idea. I hope DRMP continues offering more active, healthy events like this.”
Firm leadership also joined employees on race day to show their support. Albano and DRMP President and CEO Glenn Lusink, PSM, participated for the first time this year.
“I was impressed by the energy and participation from our teams,” Albano said. “I really enjoyed being out there with everyone. The challenge added a fun competitive element, but the real value was being part of the experience.”
Lusink echoed that sentiment, noting the opportunity to connect with employees, clients, and colleagues from the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and the wider Orlando community. He also enjoyed running into familiar faces throughout the event.
“It was so much fun,” Lusink said. “I didn’t know what to expect and was amazed by the crowd. It was great to see everyone out there together and supporting two great causes.”
DRMP employees in the firm’s regional offices also participated virtually, including Construction Services Area Leader Elizabeth Graham, PE, and Project Manager Tia Lilliman, PE.
The two finished fourth and fifth overall on the team, respectively. Lilliman participated from Merritt Island, selecting a 5K route that passed DRMP-designed projects, including Merritt Island Park and the adjacent amphitheater.
“This year, I participated virtually in the Corporate 5k event to support strengthening our DRMP company ties to the community and help promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle,” Lilliman said. “Achieving a goal of completing the 3.1-mile walk (or jog) is a simple, yet effective way to decompress after a long day of emails and meetings.
“I enjoyed jogging the 1.5-mile Veterans Memorial Park trail, wrapping around peaceful lake scenery, and passing by the newly constructed amphitheater park feature,” she continued. “I chose this location because it is an example of two successful DRMP site design projects.”
DRMP’s involvement in the Veterans Memorial Park and amphitheater in Merritt Island centered on transforming an 82-acre site into a regional hub for community events and veterans' services. The Veterans Memorial Park was a multi-year collaborative effort involving the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency (MIRA), Brevard County Natural Resources, and the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. The Veterans Memorial Amphitheater was designed as an outdoor event complex to serve as a "magnet" for residents and tourists. The project culminated in a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony held just days before the Corporate 5K event.
As DRMP continues to grow, events like the AdventHealth Corporate 5K highlight the firm’s focus on building a workplace where employees can connect, stay active, and give back. Through community involvement, DRMP remains committed to supporting its people and the communities it serves.
Check out the gallery below for more photos from the AdventHealth Corporate 5K.
