Carlos A. Penin, P.E.

Carlos A. Penin, P.E. is a distinguished civil engineer and business leader whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to engineering excellence, public service, and entrepreneurial achievement. Born in Holguín, Cuba, Mr. Penin immigrated to Miami, Florida, with his mother and three sisters in 1962.

He is a graduate of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School (1973) and went on to earn an Associate of Engineering degree from Miami Dade College (1975). He later received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Management from the University of Florida in 1977 and a Master of Science in Environmental and Urban Systems from Florida International University in 1982.

Early in his career, Mr. Penin contributed to the design and management of major infrastructure projects throughout South Florida, including landmark initiatives such as Joe Robbie Stadium, the widening of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, and the reconstruction of SW 8th Street. His deep expertise and vision for client service led him to establish C.A.P. Engineering Consultants, Inc. in 1989, a firm created to pursue his American dream and elevate the role of engineering in serving communities.

Under his leadership, the firm experienced rapid growth and was twice recognized by Inc. 500 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation in 1996 and 1997. In 2006, the company evolved into C.A.P. Government, Inc. (CAP), where he currently serves as President, to focus exclusively on providing outsourced building department services to government clients.

CAP has since become a trusted partner to over 85 municipalities and 10 educational institutions across Florida, facilitating successful transitions and the delivery of plan review and inspection services statewide. Between 2017 and 2021, CAP was consistently ranked among the top 100 firms on the Zweig Group Hot Firm List, a national recognition of leading companies in the A/E industry.

Additionally, in 2017 and 2018, CAP was named one of the fastest-growing Gator-owned businesses in the world. In 2024, the firm proudly celebrated its 35th anniversary.

Mr. Penin currently serves as President of C.A.P. Engineering, Inc., which he founded in 1999 to provide specialized services in engineering design, construction management, and inspection for both public and private clients.

Throughout his career, Mr. Penin has demonstrated unwavering commitment to professional excellence and civic involvement. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (CAACE) and a member of the Association of Cuban Engineers (ACE), where he was honored as “Engineer of the Year.” He also received the 2020 CAACE Plinio Villanueva Award for his contributions to the civil engineering profession.

Mr. Penin currently serves as President of CAACE. His leadership extends to state and national organizations, having served as President of the Florida Engineering Society in 2021 and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida in 2000.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Mr. Penin was honored by U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart in the Congressional Record on February 27, 2020.

In 2017, he was inducted into the Miami Dade College Alumni Hall of Fame (Engineering). He has also served as a Director of the Latin Builders Association and has remained actively involved in the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana.

Mr. Penin serves on the Board of Directors of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, and in 2025, he was inducted into the school's Alumni Hall of Fame.

In 2021, and again in July 2025, Mr. Penin was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the Board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, where he continues to contribute his expertise toward advancing transportation infrastructure across the region.