Presenter: Moderators & Presenters

Moderators: Rudy Powell, P.E. | FDOT, Chief Engineer of Operations, Sandra Bucklew, P.E. | HNTB

Presenters: Chris Lewis, P.E. | FDOT CO, Ashley Anderson, P.E. | FDOT CO, Ryan Asmus, P.E. | FDOT CO, Samantha Samford | FDOT CO

Growing expectations are making project delivery more challenging than ever. How is FDOT responding? Join us for an overview of FDOT’s Office of Forecasting and Performance and its role in strengthening project delivery across the state. Through updated policies, enhanced cost systems, and market analysis, the Forecasting and Performance Office is improving how projects are planned, estimated, and managed. Learn how the Forecasting and Project Cost Section supports better decision-making through tools like LRE/DQE, Independent Project Cost (IPC) reviews, and trend monitoring such as the Bid Price Search Tool. Hear how the Project Management Section is establishing new practices to provide tools to help deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and set performance measures for accountability. The session will also highlight the Local Program Section and FDOT’s role in overseeing federally funded projects delivered by local agencies. This session will provide attendees with practical insight into how FDOT is working to improve cost control, consistency, and overall project outcomes statewide with the new DRIVE Initiative and individual program structures such as DRIVE-D/C.

Presenter: Moderators & Presenters

Moderators: Chris Lewis, P.E. | FDOT CO, Sandra Bucklew, P.E. | HNTB

Panelists: Joaquin Olivella, P.E. | FDOT D2, David Schweiger, P.E. | FTE, Manny Espinal, P.E. | FDOT D6, Tom Woods, P.E. | HNTB, Virgil Rook, P.E. | Civil/Site Engineering

Put the E Back in CEI: How Can Both Sides Help to Elevate? is an interactive panel discussion focused on the role of engineering judgment, facilitation, and solution oriented decision making in Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI). As delivery models evolve and expectations increase, this session will explore how CEI professionals can proactively support project delivery by identifying issues early, facilitating timely resolutions, and making decisions at the project level in the best interest of the project.

Featuring both FDOT and ACEC panelists, the discussion will provide real world examples from both perspectives on what it means to truly “put the E back in CEI.” Through open dialogue panelists will examine how collaboration, communication, and trust across roles elevate CEI from oversight to active project facilitation—ultimately improving outcomes for the Department, contractors, and the public. After this session, the audience should gain the confidence to navigate these decisions, realizing that active involvement at their level is what truly helps resolve issues timely.

Presenter: Moderators & Presenters

Moderators: Chris Lewis, P.E. | FDOT CO, Brent Wilkins, P.E. | RS&H

Panelists: Tyler Furrey, P.E. | FDOT D4, K.C. Jose Kandarappallil, P.E. | FDOT D4, Hugues Charles | FTE, Vincent Locigno, P.E. | CMA, GG Gonzalez, P.E. | RK&K

This session will explore the distinct—but complementary—roles of an FDOT Project Manager (PM) and a Project Administrator (PA) in delivering transportation projects. The discussion will emphasize the core responsibilities of each role and how they work together to support successful project delivery. The PM is typically accountable for overall project outcomes, decision-making, and coordination across technical disciplines and stakeholders, while the PA focuses on project coordination, documentation, and process controls that help keep the project organized, compliant, and moving forward.

• Primary focus: PM leads scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk at the project level; PA supports the project team through administrative coordination and controls.
• Accountability: PM is accountable for delivery and key decisions; PA is accountable for maintaining accurate records, routing items on time, and supporting required processes.
• Stakeholder coordination: PM manages communications with FDOT leadership, consultants, local agencies, and the public as needed; PA coordinates internal workflows, tracking, and distribution of project information.
• Contract and compliance support: PM oversees performance, change management, and issue resolution; PA helps ensure documentation, reporting, and submittals align with FDOT procedures and timelines.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where decision-making authority typically sits, what administrative processes and deliverables are commonly supported by the PA, and how defining these responsibilities up front can improve communication, accountability, and overall project performance.

Presenter: Moderators & Presenters

Project Presentation: John Kilgore, P.E. | Burgess & Niple, Steve Bronzell, P.E. | Burgess & Niple, Felipe Jaramillo, P.E. | Ajax Paving

Moderators: Chris Lewis, P.E. | FDOT CO, Angelo Belluccia, P.E. | Burgess & Niple

Panelists: Cleo Babb | FDOT D7, Andrea Travani, P.E. | Prince Contracting, Josh Carter, P.E. | RK&K, Olivia Eastman, P.E. | Burgess & Niple

This session explores how digital delivery tools and workflows are transforming the design-build project delivery process. Discover how integrating 3D modeling, automated design processes, and collaborative digital platforms drives innovation, improves team coordination, and enhances project efficiency from design through construction. Using two major design-build projects along SR 35 (US 98) located in both FDOT District One (Polk County) and FDOT District Seven (Pasco County) as case studies, this session highlights best practices and lessons learned from successfully applying digital delivery to complex transportation projects. Attendees will gain practical knowledge from real world projects on best practices for FDOT, Contractor, and CEI partnering for successful project delivery.

Presenter: Rudy Powell, P.E. – FDOT Chief Engineer of Operations