Minutes - June 11, 2026 - Professional Engineers

DATE: June 11, 2026

TIME: 09:45 AM

LOCATION: 100 S. Charles St.
Tower 1
Baltimore, MD 21201 (Teleconference via Google Meet) Access Using Video Conferencing meet.google.com/vez-tjmx-mbr Phone: +1 401-552-4499
PIN: 392138700

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sallye Perrin, PE, Chair Karl Rickert, PE
Kathryn Gunkel, PE
Lily Kuitcha, PE
Dhrubajyoti (DJ) Biswas, PE
Judi Miller, RA, Consumer

MEMBERS ABSENT: Tracey Clark, Consumer
Edward (Ed) Hubner, PE, Vice-Chair

STAFF PRESENT: Zevi Thomas, Executive Director
Raquel Meyers, Assistant Executive Director
Robert Pambianco, AAG, Board Counsel
Andrew Friel, Director of Government Affairs
Steven Rodriguez-Cartagena, Administrative Officer
Hannah Belcher, Office Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT: Melissa Cannata from Amber Books
Time Engbert
Alex Beam

Meeting Called to Order

Chair Sallye Perrin called the meeting to order at 9:48 am.

Approval of May 21, 2026, Meeting Minutes

May 21, 2026, meeting minutes approved without corrections.

Review of Reciprocity and Exam Applications

Ms. Perrin asked if Board members have completed the reciprocity and exam applications. Several reciprocity and exam applications were approved in addition to Model Law Engineers (MLE) applications. Motion (I) was called by Mr. Biswas, seconded by Ms. Miller and unanimously carried by the Board to approve all reciprocity, MLE’s, and examination applications.

Application Approved Administratively for PE Licensure by Reciprocity:

There were 11 reciprocal applications, supported by NCEES Model Law Engineer records, that were administratively approved for licensure by reciprocity.

Applications for PE Licensure by Reciprocity are as follows:

Broshears, Luana (67213)
Crouthamel, Kevin (67214)
Bowness, Christopher (67079)
Efaz, Ikram (67215)
Greenheck, Maxwell (67211)
Hanna, Roberto (67216)
King, Jason (67218)
Malingam, Pakpong (67212)
Moghaddame, Jafari (67219)
Perkins, Austin (67220)
Pfaff, Robert (67221)

Applications for PE Licensure by MRA are as follows:

Tesuchata, Kosit (67266)

There was one reciprocity application placed in the “Need More Information” folder, no denials and three that were not reviewed.

Transfer of Grades

There was no transfer of grades applications submitted for review.

Applications for the Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam as follows:

Cooper, Seth
Deskevich, Matthew
Embres, Alex
Majure, Thomas
Mokam, Noche
Schwartz Moshary, Leila

There were six Exam applications approved, two placed in the “Need More Information” folder and no denials. There are 12 applications that were not reviewed.

Old Business

a)Backlog of applications that have not passed the FE

b) Implement an expiration period of exam applications

Ms. Perrin inquired with Board Counsel, Mr. Venuti, whether a regulatory or statutory change would be required to introduce an expiration date for applicants to take the PE exam once approved by this Board.

Mr. Venuti underscored that an applicant who otherwise qualifies for a license is entitled to be examined as provided in the statute. It would take a statutory revision to implement an expiration date, and it would require a justifiable reason for such a change. Ms. Perrin suggested adding this statute to the quick list for this year. However, Mr. Thomas already submitted the quick list for the year. Mr. Thomas stated that it will be a challenge to limit people from taking an exam once they are deemed eligible. It may be a challenge to alter the quick list so soon for this fiscal year.

Ms. Perrin recognized a decrease in the number of applicants which might be due to the requirement of passing the FE exam since October 2025.

Ms. Perrin and Ms. Gunkel recommended forming a task force to review the Board’s statute and regulations for the coming year. The recommendations still must go through the Board for final approval. Mr. Venuti will coordinate the task force meetings.

c) Legislative “Quick List”

Mr. Thomas discussed the concern of verifying the use of professional seals in construction documents. It is a growing concern for engineers and all the other design boards in Maryland.

It was recommended to include a verification by code officials for FY 2027, similar to the recent bill introduced on behalf of the State Board of Architects. Mr. Venuti stated that the quick list would depend on the approval of the Secretary of Maryland Department of Labor. Mr. Thomas shared an internal document outlining the requirements. He reminded this Board that the proposed bill would likely be an omnibus bill along with the other State Professional Design Boards. O&P Director of Government Affairs, Mr. Friel, stated that the Office of Secretary and her team will provide an update in the upcoming weeks.

d) State Board & Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE) Taskforce

Ms. Miller stated that there is a meeting scheduled for June 26, 2026, at noon. The main topic is addressing the national and international challenge of design professionals having their seals and instruments of service stolen by bad actors across state lines.

e) Election of Officers and Committee Assignments

Ms. Perrin suggested the election of Officers be moved to the end of the meeting. It should be moved after the Executive Session.

New Business

Ms. Perrin acknowledged concern from an applicant via conference messages. The applicant had inquired about the status of his application. Mr. Thomas will have a member of the staff follow up with the applicant.

Ms. Miller has received correspondence from Mr. Thomas stating that out-of-state travel was not authorized for all Board members for this year’s National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) annual business meeting in Henderson, NV. Ms. Miller stated that she had been invited and approved by NCEES to attend the Annual Business Meeting. Ms. Miller expressed her frustration by sending an appeal to the Office of the Secretary to resolve this matter.

Mr. Thomas sympathized that such a decision was disappointing and the consternation this may have caused to several Board members. It was the first time he had experienced a rejection for out-of-state travel for funded delegates. Nevertheless, he reminded the members that we serve at the pleasure of the Governor and by the authority of the Secretary.

Ms. Perrin pointed out that only two professional engineers were approved to travel, whereas three members of the Board for Professional Land Surveyors received approval. Mr. Thomas shared a graph to illustrate the various steps of intra-agency review to obtain ultimate travel approval.

Mr. Rickert suggested scheduling an appointment with the Secretary and Ms. Perrin. Mr. Thomas will first inform the Office of the Commissioner that Ms. Perrin wishes to have a meeting with Secretary. Preferably to meet with the Secretary before the registration deadline with NCEES of June 30.

Ms. Miller requested to see the correspondence of all members authorized to attend the NCEES Annual Meeting. Mr. Venuti stated that this would have to be submitted as a formal MPIA and not during the Board’s open meeting. Mr. Venuti must review this document first to comply with the Maryland Public Information Act.

Ms. Perrin introduced another new business. The Professional Engineering Education Services is now fully enrolled with NCEES.

Ms. Perrin also recounted her attendance, along with Ms. Miller, on the 2026 MDSPE Engineers Reception & Awards Night, these members were honored to represent the State Board and present newly licensed PEs with ceremonial wall certificates during the event.

Correspondence - None

Executive Director’s Report

Mr. Thomas introduced Mr. Steven Rodriguez-Cartagena as the new Administrative Officer for the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers. Mr. Steven Rodriguez-Cartagena's background consists of experience in handling compliance regulations; along with customer service skills with meeting and addressing clients’ requests.

Mr. Thomas ceded his time to Mr. Rodriguez-Cartagena, who shared some of his hobbies, which included being a youth soccer referee for several years. He expressed his gratitude for joining this team and his hope of having a positive impact on his new role.

Ms. Perrin and the members welcomed Mr. Rodriguez-Cartagena.

Board Counsel’s Report

Mr. Venuti had no report for this month.

CPC Committee Report

Mr. Biswas approved two CPC provider applications. Motion (II) was made by Ms. Gunkel; seconded by Ms. Miller and unanimously carried by the Board to approve two CPC applications. Unanimously approved by the Board. CPC applications are as follows:

Lutze, Inc.
Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure

Complaint Committee Report

21-PE-26

Investigating. No record exists with the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation.

19-PE-26

Investigating. Send a 30-day letter to the Respondent

18-PE-26

Investigating. Agreed to assign investigator.

There were two reinstatements. The two reinstatements required submission of PDHs and some additional fees to be paid. There were 10 pre-charges, most of which are in Erine’s court. Some are awaiting hearing.

Lastly, there was a civil case that ruled in the Board’s favor which analyzed the denial and the appeal. It is going to the appellate court in a few months.

Motion (III) was made by Ms. Gunkel; seconded by Mr. Biswas and unanimously carried by the Board to accept the Complaint Committee report.

Executive Session - None

Election of Officers and Committee Assignments

Other Business

1. The next meeting is July 9, 2026.
2. Action item is to review potential legislation which the Board will move forward and prepare for the NCEES Annual meeting.
3. Discuss Motions that are going to move forward at the NCEES Annual meeting.

Adjournment

_____With Corrections    __X___ Without Corrections

Minutes accepted without corrections.

Chair’s Signature:
Signature On File

Date: 07/19/2026