Maria Fernandez Porrata

Maria Fernandez Porrata came to the United States from Cuba at the age of 15 with her family. She arrived in Miami in August 1971 through the Freedom Flights and built her life around a strong commitment to education, community service, professional achievement, and the values of freedom and opportunity.

Ms. Fernandez Porrata attended Killian Senior High School, Miami Dade College, and Florida International University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Throughout her education, she worked full time to help support her family while also volunteering in her community, including teaching catechism and participating in programs supporting families in need.

She went on to build an accomplished career in civil engineering, transportation, public administration, and infrastructure management, accumulating more than three decades of experience in both the public and private sectors.

Her professional expertise includes contract management, infrastructure and capital improvement projects, construction management, budget development, planning, transportation systems, traffic and transportation engineering, highway design, project development and environmental studies, public information, public involvement, client relations, and the supervision of multidisciplinary teams.

In the public sector, Ms. Fernandez Porrata served for 14 years with the Florida Department of Transportation, District Six, holding several management and decision-making positions.

She later served for three years as Public Works Director for the Village of Pinecrest, where she continued her work in municipal infrastructure, transportation, and public works administration.

In the private sector, she spent approximately 10 years with Marlin Engineering as Public Relations Manager. She later worked with Media Relations Group as a Public Information Officer for transportation projects.

Beyond her engineering career, Ms. Fernandez Porrata has devoted significant time to philanthropic and community initiatives. She has regularly organized, supported, and raised funds for projects focused on education, professional development, humanitarian assistance, and the preservation of Cuban heritage and history.

Ms. Fernandez Porrata is a Past President of the Miami-Dade Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Past President of the Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (CAACE). She continues to serve CAACE as a Director Emeritus and remains actively involved with the organization.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous professional and community honors. These include Engineer of the Year recognition from both ASCE and CAACE, as well as multiple CAACE awards recognizing her contributions to the civil engineering profession.

She also received the Diversity & Community Award from the American Public Works Association in recognition of her commitment to the profession and her extensive service to students, families, newcomers, seniors, and members of the community.

Florida International University honored Ms. Fernandez Porrata with the prestigious Torch Award in Engineering and Computing, one of the highest honors presented by the FIU Alumni Association.

She was also selected nationally as one of the Twenty-Five Voices of Future City in recognition of nearly two decades of dedication to the program at the local, regional, and national levels.

Her community involvement has also included supporting scholarships, assisting newly arrived families and single mothers, helping connect newcomers with employment opportunities, preserving Cuban history and culture, and supporting programs focused on veterans and older adults.

Ms. Fernandez Porrata is the proud mother of two professionals, Carlos and Cristina. She places great importance on family, faith, service, perseverance, and gratitude, values that have guided both her professional career and her lifelong commitment to her community.