BY DYLAN ALBERGO, PE, FBPE Chair (2024)
As we ring in the new year, I would like to say thank you to Pankaj (PJ) Shah, PE, who faithfully served as vice chair in 2023. PJ was and is a mentor to me, having been on the Board when I was appointed in 2018. As one of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers’ most tenured and accomplished members, he continues to provide wise council in support of FBPE’s mission and scope.
Now what should you expect from the Board in 2024? You should expect the Board to meet its statutory obligation and exercise its legislative authority by reviewing and approving engineering applications; managing, updating, and enforcing the rules that govern the practice of engineering; and to guard against the unlicensed practice of engineering within Florida.
You may have seen recently that the Congress passed the fewest number of bills in decades in 2023. Some may call this unproductive; others may call it a relief.
As chair of the Board, it is my philosophy that we should never allow our rule book (Chapter 61G15, Florida Administrative Code) to grow anywhere near the size of the U.S. Tax Code. Regulation, while sometimes necessary, can quickly become overcomplicated, redundant, and restrictive.
In 2024, we will continue down the path of smart rulemaking to keep pace with an ever-changing industry and stay in line with new statutes enacted by our elected officials.
The Board’s mission is to protect the health and safety of the public by properly regulating the practice of engineering in Florida. We hope to continue to serve you and the public well this year.
Dylan Albergo, PE, of Tampa, specializes in bridge design and engineering project management. He has served as FBPE chair since 2023 and was its vice chair in 2022. He chairs the special inspector rules committee and serves on the application review and the FEMC operations committees.