CAACE Awards

 

 

Award Categories, Information, and Application Forms

CAACE (Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineers) annually recognizes Civil Engineering projects completed during the previous calendar year that enhance our professional image and contribute to advancement of our quality of life. The award is divided into four categories based on total construction cost, as follows:

CATEGORY I – The construction cost of the project is less than $10 million dollars.

CATEGORY II – The construction cost of the project is between $10 million dollars and $25 million dollars.

CATEGORY III – The construction cost of the project is between $25 million dollars and $100 million dollars.

CATEGORY IV (Mega Project) – The construction cost of the project is $100 million dollars or greater.

More Info: Project of the Year Award

Application: Project of the Year Award Application

The Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineer Inc. will award annual “Jose A. Vila” Scholarship to Civil Engineer students,among the state of Florida accredited Programs. The minimum amount that each student will receive is $1,000, depending on available funding received by private donations.

The students who receive the “Jose A. Vila” Scholarship will be honored in more ways than one; it’s a monetary but also it’s the prestige of being recognized by your peers. The scholarship depends upon private donations from our members and local engineering companies. Most of all, it tells the student that he or she is among the elite in the Civil Engineering field. Just to mention some of the past recipients, they are: Mr. Joaquin Aviño P.E., former Miami-Dade County Administrator; Ms. Isabel Padron, P.E., Project Manager, Miami-Dade County; Mr. Roberto Carballo P.E., President of C3TS Engineers, Architects and Planners.

The “Jose A. Vila” Scholarship was created during the late 60’s to aid financially disadvantaged civil engineering students at the University of Miami. When FIU became accredited, our predecessors looked at FIU as another option and unanimous decision was made by the Board of Directors to include FIU in the “Jose A. Vila” Scholarship. Recently, the Association has decided to include the University of Florida.

More Info: Premio Vila

Application: Premio Vila Application

 

The Young Engineer of the Year Award is given to a member of CAACE who is less than 35 years of age on January 1st of the year in which the award is given, and who is judged to have contributed substantially to the status of the engineering profession by meeting these criteria:

1. An established reputation for services to CAACE and other engineering
organizations.

2. Personal character, integrity, and public image above reproach.

3. An established reputation for civic, community, and public activities and responsibilities.

4. Significant contribution towards improving the professional aspects of civil engineering education.

5. Participation in the professional guidance of qualified young people who seek civil engineering as a career and professional development of young engineers in the formation stages of their career, or other evidence of merit, which in the judgment of the Awards Committee, shall have advanced the Association’s professional objectives.

6. Achievements and distinction in technical field of choice and area of practice (government, education, industry, and private practice).

Application: Young Engineer of the Year Application Form

Engineer of the Year Award

The Luis P. Saenz, Engineer of the Year Award is awarded annually to an exemplary Professional Civil Engineer who, through their projects reflect superior civil engineering skills and represent, through their participation on the profession, a significant contribution to the civil engineering progress and society.   This award is presented to individuals who represent these ideals by achieving greater status on the profession by being appointed to positions of significant importance in the civil engineering profession, either within the government or private firms. This award is named in honor of Luis P. Saenz, P.E. a Cuban born civil Structural Engineer with international recognition.

Application: Engineer of the Year Award Application Form

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Francisco de Albear Award, is named after the 19th century Cuban born civil engineer who was a model for the civil engineering profession in Cuba. He was considered by his colleagues and other scientists of his era a wise man and an excellent civil engineer who left a legacy of his work behind him, including the Havana Water Works (Acueducto de Albear), several bridges, roadways, and numerous other projects of national importance.  His early work includes the mapping of the principal ports of Cuba and the design and construction of irrigation canals among other projects.

This Award is a Lifetime Achievement Award, and is awarded to Professional Civil Engineers who have achieved a distinguished and productive career. These individuals have been a living example of the Civil Engineering Profession by their exemplary contributions and participation in professional and service organizations as well as dedicating themselves to the betterment of the civil engineering profession. This award gives recognition to individuals who have made outstanding and unusual contributions toward the advancement of our profession.

Lifetime Achievement Award Application Form

Civil Engineering Profession Commitment Award

The Plinio Villanueva Award is given to a member of CAACE who has made a commitment, through actions and efforts to the advancement of the Civil Engineering Profession. The Plinio Villanueva Award is named after a Past President of the CAACE organization who is dedicated and exemplifies these ideals. Plinio Villanueva himself was the first recipient of this award.

Application: Civil Engineering Commitment Award Application Form

Past Award Recipients

1999 Distinguished Engineer Award To: Servando Parapar , PE
Distinguished Engineer Award To: Andres Garganta, P.E
2000 Millennium Awards To: Federico J. Lean, PE
To: Oscar Perez Zabala
To: Plinio M. Villanueva, PE
2001 Professional Excellence Award To: Gabriel Romanach, PE
2002 Francisco de Albear Award To: Ysrael A. Seinuk, PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: John Martinez, PE
2003 Francisco de Albear Award To: Rafael L. Robayna, PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: Maria Porrata
2004 Francisco de Albear Award To: Jaime Mitrani. PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: Esther Calas, PE
2005 Francisco de albear Award To: Carlos F. Bozon PhD,PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: Javier Rodriguez, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Plinio Villanueva. PE
2006 Francisco de Albear Award To: John W. Renfrow, PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: Gustavo Felix  Pego,  PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Loreto Humberto Casariego, PE
Project of the Year To: The Miami Intermodal Center (MIC)
2007 Francisco de Albear Award To: Maria P. Carasa, PE
Engineer of the Year Award To: Albert A. Hernandez, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Oscar Perez Zabala
Project of the Year To: Miami Carnival Center
2008 Francisco de Albear Award To: Ramon Soria, PE
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Eduardo A. Vega, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Rafael L. Robayna, PE
Special President’s Award To: Yzela Llort
Project of the Year To: US 27/SR 25/Okeechobee Rd. “Depressed Section”
To: SR 836 Extension
2009 Francisco de Albear Award To: Armando I. Perez, PE
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Alice Bravo, PE
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Javier Manso, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Jose Garrido, PE
Special President’s Award To: Rene Rodriguez
Project of the Year To: MIA South Terminal
To: NW 17th. Avenue Bridge over the Miami River Rehabilitation Project
2010 Francisco de Albear Award To: Sergio Alfonso, PE
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Jorge S. Rodriguez, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Andres Garganta, PE
Special President’s Award To: Association of Study for the Cuban Economy
Project of the Year To: Miami-Dade WASD; Ultraviolet l Light Disinfection Facility for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) water at the West and Southwest Wellfield Facilities.
MDX; SR-874 Flyover Ramp at Kendall Drive
2011 Francisco de Albear Award To: Robert J. Carballo, PE
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Herminio F. Gonzalez, PE
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Jose L. Acosta, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Delfin Molins, EI
Project of the Year To: CI – MDC PW Dept South Side of Rickenbacker CWY Breach Re-Nourishment and Roadway Restoration
To: CII – NW 14th Street from NW 107th Ave to NW 87th Ave – Roadway
To: CIII – Miami International Airport – Rental Car Center East of MIA
2012 Francisco de Albear Award To: Esther L. Casas, PE
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Julio Brea, PE
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Josenrique Cueto, P.E.
Project of the Year To: C2 – 72” FM – Miami-Dade County
C3 – NW 25th Street Via Duct (FDOT) – Miami-Dade County
2013 Luis P. Saenz Award To: Alfred Lurigados, PE
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Nelson Perez-Jacome, P.E.
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Pedro P. Giralt, P.E.
Project of the Year To: CI – M-Path from Datran Drive to SW 67th Ave – Miami, FL
Project of the Year CII – 24” WM Relocation under Fisherman’s Channel – Miami
2014 Francisco de Albear Award To: Jorge L. Quardreny, Sr.
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Rafael A. Terrero, PE
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Rodrigo O. Rodriguez, PE
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Cristina Ortega-Castineiras, E.I.
Project of the Year Category I To: Old Cutler Road Roadway Improvement Project Town of Cutler Bay
Project of the Year Category II To: City of Miami Belle Meade Phase II Drainage Improvements
Project of the Year Category III To: Miami Dade Water & Sewer Department Government Cut 54” Forcemain Replacement
2015 Francisco de Albear Award To: Felix Blanco, P.E.
 Luis P. Saenz Award To: Harold Desdunes, P.E.
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Maria Fernandez Porrata
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Erik Sibila, P.E.
Project of the Year Category I To: Cuban Memorial Monument – Miami Dade County
Project of the Year Category II To: Perrine Basins A, B and C Water and Sewer Improvements, Miami-Dade
Project of the Year Category III To: Bear Cut Bridge Rehab – Key Biscayne, Florida
Project of the Year Category IV (Mega Project) To: Tunnel from I-395 to Port Miami – Miami, FL
2016 Francisco de Albear Award To: Antonio Acosta, P.E.
Luis P. Saenz Award To: Debora Rivera, P.E.
Plinio Villanueva Award To: Victor Pujals, P.E.
Young Engineer of the Year Award To: Yulet Miguel, P.E.
Project of the Year Category I To: NW 36th Bascule Bridge
Project of the Year Category II To: Brickell PS8/PS3 48″ Interceptor
Project of the Year Category III To: Alton Road Improvements – Miami Beach