For the first time in 150 years, a woman has been appointed as Orange County Government’s County Engineer.

That woman is Diana Almodovar -- a Puerto Rican engineer who’s been working for the county for more than 25 years.

  • Puerto Rican woman appointed Orange Co.'s engineer
  • Diana Almodovar has worked for county for over 25 years
  • Almodovar & family also want to build diversity in county

"I started at the very low as a junior engineer,” said Almodovar.

Almodovar was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and upon graduating she took a job in Tennessee. After receiving an offer to work in Alabama, she decided to move to Orlando instead. 

“I had to continue studying and working hard as I went up the ranks,” said Almodovar about her achievements working in Orange County Government.

This January, Almodovar was appointed to the County Engineer position by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

"My duties and responisbilities have really grown immensely,” Almodovar explained.

Almodovar's role involves making final decisions on construction projects around the county, such as roads and residential or commercial buildings.

In simpler terms, Almodovar’s the boss. She's also the first woman to ever hold this position in Orange County.

Almodovar states it wasn't so easy to thrive in a male-dominated industry like engineering.

"You have to work hard, you have to put more than a 100 percent, you have to put 200 percent of your time,” she said.

But it's not impossible, and women like her have paved the way.

"The numbers are growing, therefore the opportunites are endless for the new women engineers in this county,” Almodovar explained. 

There’s a side of Almodovar, though, that’s far away from the engineering world. When she's not analyzing maps and approving permits, Almodovar goes back to her roots.

It would be a simple guess if you were to visit her office -- everywhere you look, there’s pictures of her and her family playing music.

"We love music, we're a family of musicians,” she said with a smile.

Almodovar plays the guiro, a traditional Puerto Rican instrument, and together with her family, they also build diversity in Orange County.