Brownman named Sarasota County engineer

Larry Mau, former Manatee County transportation director, joins staff as assistant county engineer

Isaac Brownian. Photo courtesy Sarasota County
Isaac Brownian. Photo courtesy Sarasota County

Sarasota County Public Works Director Isaac Brownman added a new title above his name this week: county engineer.

Brownman will take on that role as part of his regular duties overseeing public works, a county news release says.

A county employee for 16 years, Brownman was appointed public works director in March 2014, the release notes. He previously served in the Land Development Services Division as an engineering supervisor and manager, the release continues. Prior to that, Brownman was a public infrastructure design manager for capital projects and then director of the Capital Projects Division, the release adds.

As chief of the Public Works Department, he oversees the Transportation, Field Services and Capital Projects divisions, the release notes. Brownman is a licensed professional civil engineer in the State of Florida.

“I’m honored to assume the designation of county engineer, and I look forward to serving the county in that capacity,” Brownman said in the release.

Transportation Manager Carolyn Eastwood was interim county engineer for the past 16 months, the release points out.

County Administrator Tom Harmer praised Eastwood’s work in the release, saying that her service in that role helped with the transition of Brownman into the full-time position. Harmer added in the release that Brownman’s extensive leadership and technical skills were key factors in Harmer’s naming him the county engineer.

“His professionalism, work ethic and dedication made him the natural choice for the designation of county engineer,” Harmer said of Brownman in the release.

In addition, Larry Mau has joined the Public Works Department as senior manager of the Transportation Division and has also been designated the assistant county engineer, the release notes. Mau will oversee transportation planning, traffic engineering and operations, field services and other units comprising the Transportation Division, the release says.

Mau has extensive professional history in both the public and private sectors, the release adds, noting that he served as director of transportation in Manatee County from 1995 to 2007.

Mau earned a degree in civil engineering from Valparaiso University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, the release continues. He is a registered professional engineer.

“Larry’s professional experience and expertise made him the ideal candidate to serve as the senior manager for the Transportation Division and to be designated the assistant county engineer,” Harmer said in the release, adding, “He is a valuable addition to our ‘One Team’ philosophy.”