Monday, Oct. 28, 2024
By: Kyle Niblett
University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) Distinguished Professor R. Raymond Issa and legendary DCP alumnus Bruno Elias-Ramos (BDES ’82, MARCH ’85) were both inducted into the National Academy of Construction (NAC) earlier this month. The NAC honors and recognizes those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the construction industry.
Recognized worldwide as a servant leader in developing the next generation of construction professionals in digitalized construction management, Issa has chaired more than 400 master’s and Ph.D. committees and published 400-plus peer-reviewed publications. He has made innovative and fundamental contributions to construction management and digitalization of the construction process and is recognized among the leaders in building information modeling (BIM) and cognitive digital twin research. In his career, he has completed more than $8 million in grants.
Issa has previously been elected to the Pan American Academy of Engineering (API) in 2014. He was selected as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2009 and was also recognized by ASCE with its Computing in Civil Engineering Award in 2012 and the Richard R. Torrens Award in 2023. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies (UPADI).
“I would like to thank all my colleagues and former students in the NAC for this honor,” Issa said. “I am indebted to my family, students and colleagues for their support over the years.”
As a double Gator grad and with more than 30 years of experience as an industry leader in innovative port infrastructure and cruise terminal planning and design, Ramos’ diversified background and leadership capabilities over decades have consistently delivered design-winning contextual projects on time and within budget. As an international design architect who is also a licensed general contractor, Ramos is known as a “Master Builder,” because he understands the building process unique to each location around the world. Ramos founded BEA Architects in 1992 and transformed the firm into an international design practice. As BEA Architects Principal-in-Charge and Lead Project Manager, he designed and pioneered the first of its kind third and fourth generation cruise terminals, implementing innovative concepts that encompass improvements to both passenger flow and operations. These never-before-seen concepts led to today’s state-of-the-art fifth-generation designs that are currently BEA’s most sought after discipline.
The first-ever DCP graduate to be awarded Gator100 honors five times (2018-22), Ramos has also served as an architect and consultant to most major cruise lines and has participated in planning international seaports and mixed-use waterfront developments. As a registered architect in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas and Louisiana, his talent and industry knowledge have been repeatedly solicited to add value to every world-renowned cruise and cargo port in the U.S., as well as maritime and planning projects worldwide.
“I am honored to have been inducted into the National Academy of Construction, recognizing my contributions and commitment to advancing the design and construction industry,” Ramos said. “This achievement reflects years of dedication to excellence and innovation in our field.”
Issa and Ramos join Dean Chimay Anumba, Rinker School director Robert F. Cox, Dan Whiteman and Jon Antevy as DCP faculty or alumni that are members of the NAC.