I began as an intern in PCL’s Florida office, working on submittals with subcontractors. That experience led me to a field engineer role on the Blacks Ford Water Reclamation Facility in Jacksonville. After relocating to Miami, I spent three years as a project engineer on the Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Oxygen Production Facility in Miami. My first assignment as a project manager took me to Fort Lauderdale, where I led another oxygen production facility project at the GT Lohmeyer Wastewater Treatment Plant. Today, I oversee water infrastructure projects across Florida.

I earned my civil engineering degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Construction runs in my family—many relatives have worked as general contractors across Venezuela, which is where I’m originally from—so pursuing this path felt natural. Growing up, I spent summers helping with family projects, gaining hands-on experience early on. Working with PCL, though, is a whole different scale. The size and complexity of the projects are much greater, and I thrive on the challenges that come with building at this level.

I’ve learned something from every job I’ve worked on. One was the Blacks Ford Water Reclamation Facility in Jacksonville shortly after I became a full-time employee. As an entry level engineer, I was given the responsibility for procuring materials and approving costs for a $6 million pipeline construction project. It was very impactful, to be so green and get that opportunity.

There are also the two oxygen projects that I mentioned earlier: The Miami-Dade Central District WWTP Oxygen Production Facility and the GT Lohmeyer Wastewater Treatment Plant. They were great projects because they were practically perfect when it came to the construction, nothing went wrong with those two. Those were an important part of my career development and helped me learn how to execute as a project manager.

I began my career in residential construction, but it quickly became repetitive. In water and wastewater projects, every situation presents unique challenges, needs, and perspectives. It’s complex and technical—and that’s what I enjoy. I’ve moved past wanting easy projects; I’m drawn to the ones that challenge me.

There has always been someone supporting me. Before he became the vice president and district manager for PCL’s civil operations, Richard Hewitt  served as a mentor to me, and he still takes the time to follow up and check in. For me, PCL is more than just a company. The culture here feels like family. We gather, we connect, and we genuinely know and care about one another.

I’m a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and try to participate in their events in the area to help expand our brand with clients and engineers. I also volunteer to do beach cleaning every year. Every year PCL joins the Florida chapter of the AWWA for the Baynanza beach cleanup in Miami.