Ardurra is proud to announce that Franklin A. Torrealba, PE, ENV SP, Ardurra’s Regional Growth Director South Florida Water, has been named the 2025-2026 Engineer of the Year by the ASCE Miami-Dade Branch. The award was presented at the branch's annual awards ceremony on August 21, 2026.
A Career Built on Water Infrastructure
Franklin brings nearly 40 years of experience in program and project management, with a focus on large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure across South Florida. He has managed more than 500 projects from conception through completion, spearheaded the design of over 185 miles of pipeline, and led some of the region's largest renewal and rehabilitation programs — cumulatively overseeing 150,000+ linear feet of water and sewer mains, 500+ pump stations, and full compliance with USEPA consent decree deadlines, helping Miami-Dade County avoid millions in potential penalties.
He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of New Orleans and an MBA from Loyola University, is a licensed PE in Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico, and is an ENV SP-certified sustainability professional. He has been an active member of ASCE, WEF, FES, and several other professional organizations for over a decade.
Leadership That Extends Beyond the Job
Franklin has continued his deep involvement in ASCE since joining Ardurra in 2022, sponsoring various charity events and encouraging emerging engineers to take on leadership roles within the ASCE. He also serves on Ardurra's Sustainability Program Committee, he is the current Co-Chair of Florida International University's Department Advisory Board for Civil and Environmental Engineering where he has been Board Member for several years. Additionally, he has been part of the Advisory Board for the College of Engineering at LSU New Orleans for several years.
Giving Back to the Community
Beyond engineering, Franklin has been a board member of the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign, mentored a minority-owned small business through Miami-Dade County's mentorship program, supported humanitarian engineering trips to Guatemala with Engineers Without Borders, and launched a Summer Internship Program that's given 35+ students hands-on industry experience.
Recognizing a Well-Earned Honor
"Franklin is an engineer who truly embodies the mission and values of ASCE," said Valerie Coloma, who nominated him for the award. "His unwavering dedication to the profession, commitment to sustainable and ethical engineering practices, and leadership in the civil engineering community are exemplary."
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