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The Florida Board of Professional Engineers said farewell to Board member Babu Varghese, PE, SI, CGC, CCC, at its December 2024 meeting in Tallahassee, Fla. Mr. Varghese was first appointed to the Board in February 2015, serving almost 10 years. In 2019, he served as the Board’s vice chair and was elected chair for 2020. He is the president and principal engineer of Abtech Engineering Inc., a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, which he founded in 1988, in Fort Lauderdale. “If you never had privilege of meeting or working with Babu, you’re missing out on a lifetime opportunity,” Dylan Albergo, PE, who served as Board chair in 2022 and 2023, said. “Babu is a remarkably successful businessman and an even more humble gentleman. He is a mentor to many of us and his expertise, personality, and technical acumen will be severely missed. His work on Special Inspection Certification has made the industry safer and left a lasting impact with the Board. “To me personally, Babu has been an amazing resource and dear friend. Thank you, for your guidance, support, and friendship that have helped to shape me and cement your legacy as an FBPE Board member.”

On behalf of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers, Happy New Year. Before we look forward to what 2025 will bring, we should first reflect on 2024. At our December meeting, long-time Board member Babu Varghese, PE, SI, completed almost 10 years of service to this Board. Babu was appointed to the Board in early 2015, and over his tenure, served as Board chair, vice chair, and a member of nearly every Board committee, being integral to the development of the Special Inspector and Special Inspector (Limited) licenses. Babu will be stepping away to enjoy life without the rigors that Board service requires. While his dedication, knowledge, and service will be greatly missed, all Board members know that he is a friend that we can reach out to for counsel. We sincerely thank him for his service.

The Florida Board of Professional Engineers appointed Babu Varghese, PE, SI, CGC, CCC, as its chair for 2020, and C. Kevin Fleming, PE, as its vice chair for 2020. Mr. Varghese replaces Kenneth Todd, PE, who served as chair in 2018 and 2019. The appointments were made at the Board’s December meeting in Tallahassee. Mr. Varghese is the president and principal engineer of Abtech Engineering Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, which he founded in 1988. His capabilities range from concept through final design on numerous commercial and industrial buildings. Additionally, his experience includes a focus on forensic engineering where he has appeared in court as an expert witness on numerous cases. He is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer, Special Inspector of threshold buildings, Certified General Contractor, and Certified Roofing Contractor. He is also a licensed PE in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Varghese holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in engineering. He was appointed to the Board in 2015.

Babu Varghese, PE, SI, CGC, CCC, has also been reappointed with his term ending Oct. 31, 2020. Mr. Varghese is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer, Special Inspector of threshold buildings, Certified General Contractor, and Certified Roofing Contractor. In addition, he is also licensed in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Varghese is the president and principal engineer of Abtech Engineering Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, which he founded in 1988. His capabilities range from concept through final design on numerous commercial and industrial buildings. Additionally, his experience includes a focus on forensic engineering where he has appeared in court as an expert witness on numerous cases. Mr. Varghese holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in engineering.