The East Central Branch of the Florida Section American Society of Civil Engineers will host its Annual Officer Installation Virtually for our 2020 session.

Please join us for the installation of the 2020/2021 slate of officers and recognition of all who served this past year, as well as our annual scholarship winners! This event is free of charge.

This year we have the pleasure of hosting Ms. Katie Mitzner, Brightline Public Affairs Manager. 

Ms. Mitzner is a Public Affairs Manager for Brightline Trains, serving as the key point person for communications for Brightline’s Orlando extension, the high-speed rail project which will connect West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport. In her role, Katie handles media relations, community relations, government affairs and other public affairs roles including serving as spokesperson and community liaison for the $2.7 billion construction project that spans 170 miles and six counties. Katie has spent more than twenty years in the communications industry, more than half of that in Central Florida.  Katie began her communications career straight out of college as a morning reporter and weather anchor at the CBS affiliate in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan. She reported in Little Rock, Arkansas and Flint, Michigan before moving into PR. Prior to Brightline, Katie served in PR roles for the Better Business Bureau, Kaiser Permanente, Orlando Health and Florida’s Turnpike. Fun facts about Katie, she is a classically trained pianist and speaks French. Katie is the mother of two, ages 10 and 12. They live in east Orange County with their dogs, cats, tortoise and fish.  In her spare time, Katie enjoys road tripping with her kids, hanging out at their pool, going to the beach and enjoying all things Florida. A die-hard Michigan State fan, Katie also enjoys cheering on the UCF Knights and USC Trojans. 

Brightline Program

More than train service, Brightline is part of a real estate vision to reenergize static neighborhoods with transportation hubs including modern stations, 40,000 sq ft food hall and 27+ acres of office, retail, residential and commercial space. Brightline’s new South Terminal at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a part of the company’s Phase 2 expansion into Central Florida including a Tampa extension. The massive infrastructure project is making progress and encompasses four zones including the area of the Orlando International Airport and the Brightline Vehicle Maintenance Facility. This monumental endeavor, which will use 225 million pounds of American steel, will include the laying of 490,000 ties and transporting 2.35 million tons of granite and limestone by 20,000 railcars. Additionally, approximately 2 million spikes and bolts will be hammered and put in place over the next 36 months.