The South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers has awarded Ismail Ozbek, P.E., the distinct honor of 2013 Engineer of the Year.
Ozbek was born in Turkey where he was one of eight siblings growing up in a construction environment, four of whom went on to dedicate their careers to Civil Engineering.
Ozbek currently is employed with Richland County Public Works as the County Engineer. Ozbek presently oversees and coordinates the work of 90 subordinates with an annual budget of $12 million.
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| Ismail Ozbek and George McCall |
Since being there, Ozbek has been responsible for planning, administration and enforcement of County Development Regulations. He is also responsible for planning, organizing, and directing activities relating to engineering, stormwater, and roads and drainage divisions.
Ozbek serves on the SCSPE Board of Directors and is a past President of the SCSPE Columbia Chapter. Also, he served as President of ASCE SC Chapter and Midlands branch.
He was instrumental in the creation of the South Carolina Engineering Conference while serving on the Executive Boards of ASCE SC Chapter. Ozbek is active in his community; he is a member of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Business Advisory Council along with numerous other organizations.
He is an Ankara State Academy of Engineering and Architecture in Ankara, Turkey graduate. Where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering in 1979.
Attending the conference where the award was given was his brother, Dr. Gungar Ozbek, who was visiting from Turkey.
