CMA attended the ASCE Student Symposium in Jacksonville hosted by the University of North Florida March 23-25. CMA intern Alex Farfan was a conference leader with UNF. Alex Farfan, Dominique Bethel, Sara Hollenbeck, E.I. and Starr Alfonso competed. CMA also served as the concrete canoe sponsor. Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, FACEC, Madeline Batey, E.I. Justin Tagle, P.E., LEED AP; Jose L. Acosta, P.E., F.ASCE and Patrick Kaimrajh, P.E. served as judges for various competitions. Jennifer Smith, P.E. and Derrick Smith, CFM, LEED AP attended the job fair. Universities throughout Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico attended the conference.

CMA Director of Planning Nilsa Zacarias, AICP and Board Member of the Palm Beach County Planning Congress coordinated a planning event on Saturday March 18. The event known as ‘Inclusive and Equitable Public Open Spaces: Lessons Learned from Tequesta and Jupiter’ provided an overview of the challenges about planning and designing public open spaces.  The event also included a walking tour through Tequesta parks and the Jupiter Riverwalk. Nilsa Zacarias, AICP and CMA Senior Planner Lance Lilly were among presenters for the event. Presenters were also Stephanie Thoburn, ASLA, AICP, Assistant Director, Planning and Zoning Department, Town of Jupiter; and Marty Schnieder, AICP, Principal Planner, Town of Jupiter.

CMA staff members Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, FACEC his wife Karolynn Fernandez, Sean Dannelly, Safiya Brea, P.E., LEED AP, Yulet Miguel, P.E., Megan Schmidt and Jose L. Acosta, P.E., F.ASCE attended the 2023 Leadership Broward Fun Lunch on March 10 at the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood Beach. Peter, Leadership Broward class XXVIII, was among several honorees celebrated for their leadership in Broward County. CMA was also a sponsor for this event. https://www.leadershipbroward.org/

Congratulations to CMA Associate Engineer Madeline Batey who has been named Webmaster for the ASCE East Central Branch. In her new role she will serve as the primary contact for all aspects of the organization’s website.  Madeline is also President of ASCE Younger Member Forum (YMF) East Central Branch. She has been involved with YMF since graduating from UCF in 2019. Younger Member Forum | ASCE | FL | ECB (eastcentralasce.org)

On Saturday March 4^th, CMA participated in a Shared Meal Event hosted by HOPE South Florida. HOPE South Florida is a non-profit organization that provides housing assistance and support to thousands of homeless families, veterans, and individuals. Through their Shared Meal program, they provide about 50,000 meals to the homeless across Broward County every year. CMA staff Ruben Soto, Craig Wallander, E.I., Charmaine Emanuels, E.I., Danny Davila, P.E. (Scarlett Del Valle) helped to prepare and serve approximately 150 hot meals to homeless individuals at Vision of Hope Family Worship Center in Fort Lauderdale. After the meal, volunteers helped to clean the center and enjoyed a tour of the facilities. http://hopesouthflorida.org/

On March 3^rd – 5^th, CMA Project Engineer Justin Tagle, P.E., LEED AP participated in a 30-mile and three-day hiking program at the Lake to Ocean trail for the Loggerhead Marinelife Center! Proceeds from the 4^th Annual Hike₂0 event supported marine conservation and education outreach across South Florida and promoted environmental stewardship of Florida’s fresh and saltwater systems. CMA served as a sponsor. https://lnkd.in/ewBaRyiW

On February 25, CMA Director of Quality Assurance Shahin Hekmat, P.E., F.FES accepted the Outstanding Service to the Engineering Profession Award at the FES Miami Chapter 2023 Annual Gala and Awards Banquet. CMA Executive Vice President and President of the Miami Chapter of FES Jose L. Acosta, P.E., F.ASCE served as MC for the event. The festivities were held at Briza on the Bay in Miami and several CMA staff were in attendance: Jose L. Acosta, P.E., F.ASCE, (Sofie Acosta), Shahin Hekmat, P.E., F.FES (Sara Hekmat), Patrick Kaimrajh, P.E. (Teresa Kaimrajh) and Laura Vogel, P.E., Ph.D, ENV SP (Shawn Wallace). The event celebrated National Engineer’s Week. Congratulations! FES (fesmiami.org)

CMA Senior Environmental Scientist Brian Voelker, M.S., SPWS, C.A., CLI presented on Urban Forest Management: Protecting Vital Infrastructure for Community Resiliency and Sustainability for the Florida Urban Forestry Council.  The virtual event was held March 2-3 and it allowed an opportunity for the attendees to network with forestry professionals and discuss the latest research and practices in Florida and nationally.   Urban Forestry Institute | Florida Urban Forestry Council (fufc.org)

CMA staff members Tanya McCormick, PLA, AICP and John Gorham, PLA attended Clemson University’s School of Architecture Career Expo on Feb. 24^th. They met landscape architecture and architecture students for talent recruitment and several design professors and other professionals that practice in the Carolinas.