Carlos Palacious recently named as one of the university’s 2024 distinguished honorees
The Bahamas’ first coastal engineer, Carlos E. Palacious, MSc. PEng, PE, PMP, is one of a select group of University of Florida alumni named to this year’s prestigious 40 Gators Under 40 list. The annual awards program was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect on The Gator Nation®. Honorees for the competitive award must demonstrate (1) a significant impact on their industry, and (2) notable civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national, or international level, among other criteria.
“The 40 Gators Under 40 class of 2024 demonstrates the incredible impact Gators have on society,” said Heather Ashley, interim executive director of the UF Alumni Association. “This year’s honorees are extraordinary leaders and committed visionaries who consistently exceed expectations and leave profound marks on their organizations, industries, and communities. We take immense pride in honoring these outstanding individuals, whose accomplishments shine a light on The Gator Nation® and its capacity to influence positive change on a global scale.”
The 40 Gators Under 40 awards program recognizes graduates from all UF’s 16 colleges. This year’s honorees range from artists and educators to entrepreneurs and engineers, representing the breadth and depth of UF-fostered expertise. Past award winners include Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes, NASCAR leader Benjamin Kennedy, TV sportscaster Laura Rutledge, and Olympic gold-medal triple jumper Christian Taylor.
“As a proud Bahamian and alumnus of the University of Florida, I am humbly honored to be recognized among the top 40 Gators Under 40. My journey, from the classrooms of the university to the frontlines of climate change in our beautiful Bahamas, has always been about applying the knowledge and skills I’ve been fortunate to acquire,” Palacious expressed. “This recognition is not just mine but a testament to what we, as Bahamians, can achieve. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am committed to continuing to serve our country and empower fellow Bahamians through my work.”
Carlos Palacious is an engineer by training, environmentalist by nature, entrepreneur at heart, and executive by profession. He was the first Bahamian Coastal Engineer and is a licensed Professional Engineer in The Bahamas, Canada, and the USA. He also holds a global certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is a licensed real estate salesperson in The Bahamas.
Carlos is the Founder and Managing Principal of several engineering and technical-related businesses, including Bron Ltd. (development consulting), Eeden Farms (climate-resilient farming), and BluTerra (sustainable manufacturing).
Throughout his career, Carlos has led many of the largest and most nationally significant public and private sector development projects and studies in recent times. In 2021, Project Y Bahamas recognized Carlos as one of the top 48 millennials for his work in the environment, media, service, business, and as a change maker. In 2018, he was named to the prestigious top 40 under 40 list by Professional Services Bahamas. In addition to his professional achievements, Carlos holds numerous leadership roles in professional, civic, and religious organizations. He regularly presents at national and regional forums on hurricane preparedness and response, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Carlos is married to Anastarcia and they have two children, Cairo and Chosen.
The 170-year-old University of Florida has 480,000 alumni residing in every U.S. state and more than 150 countries. The university has a long history of established programs in national and international education, research, and service. It is one of only 17 public land-grant universities in the prestigious Association of American Universities. The UF Alumni Association oversees a network of nearly 80 Gator Clubs, actively recruits superior students, and hosts outreach and on-campus programs to deepen alumni connections with their alma mater.
To learn more, visit ufalumni.ufl.edu.
Contact:
Amanda Edwards
352-392-5404
amanda.e@ufl.edu
