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2022 Young Leader of the Year Announced: Alec Bogdanoff
August 3, 2022
The ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council is proud to name Alec Bogdanoff, Principal and Co-Founder of Brizaga, as the 2022 Young Leader of the Year
ULI’s Young Leader of the Year Award honors inspiring industry professionals aged 35 or younger whose outstanding achievements and contributions are advancing the industry and positively shaping our region’s communities.
At only 35 years old, Alec Bogdanoff, Ph.D., Principal and Co-Founder of Fort Lauderdale-based civil and coastal engineering consulting firm Brizaga, has already made his mark on the region and is geared up to continue changing the course of South Florida’s future.
A scientist by training with two decades of policy and political experience, in 2017 he and close friend and civil and coastal engineer Michael Antinelli decided to combine their skills to launch Brizaga.
Now, barely five years later, Brizaga has already become the go-to consulting company for all things sea level rise and flooding in the region, servicing dozens of government clients, developers, and other private entities, and Bogdanoff has become known throughout the state for his role in leading the charge in preparing South Florida’s communities for the realities of more frequent flooding and sea level rise.
Known in many circles as the “Sea Level Rise Guy,” he is perhaps most widely recognized for his work authoring the ‘Always Ready’ legislation, which has already provided over $1 billion to local governments across Florida to invest in resilient infrastructure during its two years in existence.
He is also known for helping to lead and secure the funding for the landmark Business Case for Resilience for Southeast Florida project, a joint effort between the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact and the Urban Land Institute that showcases the regional economic benefits of climate adaptation and how these investments safeguard South Florida’s future.
Celebrate Alec and each of this year’s honorees at the 2022 Vision Awards
Thursday, September 15th, 2022, 5:30pm – 8:30pm At the JW Marriott Marquis, Miami
Alec Bogdanoff, Ph.D.
Principal and Co-Founder, Brizaga
2022 ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean Young Leader of the Year
About Alec Bogdanoff
Alec has always been fascinated by weather and the environment. By the time he was seven years old, he had his own weather station he installed himself on the roof of the house. But he also had something else. Even as a child, Alec already possessed the will to think big and figure out how to influence the forces of nature. Born and raised in South Florida, Alec knew that Florida’s infrastructure would be at risk from rising seas, more frequent flooding, and a changing climate. As a trained scientist, he uniquely understands the influence these factors will have on Florida’s communities and economy.
Five years ago, Alec founded Brizaga with his childhood friend, Michael Antinelli, a civil and coastal engineer. They have created the go-to consulting company for all things sea level rise and flooding, servicing dozens of government clients, developers, and other private entities in planning for these challenges.
Their recently completed projects include flood protection project for the Historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and the the landmark Business Case for Resilience for Southeast Florida project. Working hand-in-hand with ULI, Alec secured the necessary funding for the project, which he in turn managed. This spurred a similar effort for the Tampa Bay Region which was also led by Brizaga.
Alec is a policy-trained oceanographer and meteorologist with over two decades of political experience including campaign management. Known for his communication skills and political acumen, Alec navigates complex topics and relationships to support clients in implementing resilient infrastructure and development projects. Alec has addressed the United States House of Representatives Climate Solutions Caucus and the Florida legislature on sea level rise planning and the financial implications. As the Senior Scientist for the American Flood Coalition, Alec worked with Florida House of Representatives’ staff and authored the ‘Always Ready’ legislation, a priority for Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls.
Affectionately referred to as the “Sea Level Rise Guy,” Alec holds a Ph.D. in physical oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program in Oceanography, and a M.S. and B.S. in Meteorology from Florida State University. He serves as the Chair of the ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council’s Resilience Committee, as well as serving on the Management Committee. Alec is also on the board of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. He previously served as a John A. Knauss Sea Grant Fellow for Senator Edward J. Markey in Washington, D.C. focused on ocean, environmental, climate, and fisheries policy. Alec is currently teaching a sea level rise course at FAU, and has academic relationships with UM and FIU.
Named for his niece and nephews, Briana, Zachary, and Gabriel, the company name – Brizaga – is Alec’s daily motivation, reminding him that his work today will have an enormous impact on future generations.