Florida Engineering Society Names David Ricks Engineer of the Year

County Engineer David L. Ricks, P.E., has been named Engineer of the Year by the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society (FES).

The Engineer of the Year Award is given each year to the one member of FES who best exemplifies the ideal image of the Professional Engineer.

The award presentation took place during the FES Chapter's September dinner meeting. Mr. Ricks said he was humbled by the recognition and noted that it was a reflection of the team he leads in the Engineering and Public Works Department (EPW) and the support from the County Board of Commissioners and County Administration. "This was a team EPW award for all the great work they do every day," he said.

Mr. Ricks took the helm at EPW in 2017 with more than 20 years of military and government experience, most recently having served nearly three years as the Public Works Director with the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Before his time in Norfolk, he was the Facilities and Transportation Services Director for Fulton County, Georgia, and before that, he was Public Works Director for Montgomery County, Ohio. He transitioned into government roles after spending 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Civil Engineering Corps Officer. He is licensed in Ohio, Florida and Minnesota.

Outside of EPW, Mr. Ricks remains active in the profession. He presently serves as Treasurer of the Florida Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents (FACERS). He also enjoys community outreach, including educating the public about EPW and encouraging young people to pursue engineering careers.

The FES meeting was notable for EPW for other reasons as well. During the event, Roadway Production's Special Projects Section Manager Carlos Bojorge, P.E., was installed as the chapter's incoming secretary for 2025-2026.

Also, three EPW employees participated in the traditional passing of the gavel from past Chapter Presidents to the incoming President: Assistant Land Development Division Director Olive Bailey, P.E., Deputy County Engineer Joanne Keller, P.E. and Traffic Signal and Lighting Design Manager for the Traffic Division Fattoush Jafar, P.E., Ph.D., passed the gavel. It was a night to remember.