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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION vs STIRLYN BOWRIN, 08-001106 (2008)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tampa, Florida Mar. 03, 2008 Number: 08-001106 Latest Update: Oct. 08, 2008

The Issue The issues to be resolved in this proceeding concern whether the Respondent committed the charged violations of Sections 489.127(1)(f) and 489.531(1), Florida Statutes, as set forth in the Administrative Complaint, and, if so, what if any penalty is warranted.

Findings Of Fact On or about December 11, 2006, the Respondent entered into a contract with Ms. Carolyn H. Wilson for remodeling work, at Ms. Wilson's home in St. Petersburg, Florida. The scope of the work included in the Respondent's "Quotation" or their agreement, involved structural work, plumbing, and electrical work. The Respondent presented himself as being properly licensed for the work which he contracted to perform at Ms. Wilson's property. The Respondent had dictated the terms of the agreement or contract to Mr. Caleb Alfred who wrote the terms required by the Respondent into the "Quotation" form provided by the Respondent. Mr. Alfred was paid a $200.00 commission for referring Ms. Wilson and her job to the Respondent. Mr. Alfred is not affiliated in any way with the Respondent, however, and was a coworker at a local school with Ms. Wilson, who was the Assistant Principal. Ms. Wilson understood that she was contracting for work to be done by the Respondent and not by Mr. Alfred. The Respondent and Ms. Wilson signed the "Quotation" form as the contract for the project. The Respondent was never licensed to engage in any category of contracting in the State of Florida at any time material to the facts in this case and to the allegations in the Administrative Complaint. On December 11, 2006, the Respondent was paid $7,000.00, by Ms. Wilson's check no. 1022, the day the agreement was entered into. Thereafter he was paid $11,000.00 on December 19, 2006, by check no. 1024 issued by Ms. Wilson. He was paid on December 21, 2006, $1,400.00 by check no. 1025 and another $3,000.00 on December 22, 2006, by Ms. Wilson's check no. 1026. The Respondent also incurred some additional charges on Ms. Wilson's Home Depot and Lowes accounts for certain tools and items which he kept after he left the job. The Respondent maintains that he kept those tools as a remedy for work that he had performed for which Ms. Wilson had not paid him. The work the Respondent contracted to do required a permit. No permit of any kind for the referenced project was ever obtained. The electrical work to be performed by the Respondent included the installing of 10 recessed lights and two outlets. The lights to be installed, some of which were installed by the Respondent, were plug-in lights. The outlets installed by the Respondent involved merely screwing existing wires into the new outlets. They did not involve the addition of any wiring to the project or the home. The dishwasher to be installed by the Respondent did not actually involve plumbing. The plumbing work was already done and was existing at the site. The Respondent merely had to screw the plumbing outlet on the dishwasher to the standing plumbing or pipe. The installation of the flooring and the installation of the wall in the residence accomplished by the Respondent was structural work and constituted contracting. The wall was installed and was attached to the trusses of the structure. The flooring portion of the project involved installation of the hardwood flooring and the pad beneath, the charge for which totaled approximately $15,400.00 itself. The Respondent is a native of Trinidad. While residing in Trinidad he built houses. He therefore is quite experienced in construction. He has a "handyman" license from the City of Sanford. That handyman license prohibits electrical repair or replacement of any type, roof repair, installation of exterior doors and windows, and any work that requires a permit. The Respondent apparently was of the belief that he was authorized to do the type of work at issue, based on the strength of holding handyman license. Additionally, the handyman exemption from licensure which is provided in Section 489.103(9), Florida Statutes, references contracts under $1,000.00 dollars. It also requires, for an exemption, that the work involved not require any permitting. Neither is the case here, the work involved much more than $1,000.00 and did require permitting, at least in part. The Respondent apparently finished most of the job at issue. It is debatable whether he finished the dishwasher installation which merely involved placing it and screwing it into the already existing plumbing outlet. There is apparently a dispute over whether he was to install cabinets. The Respondent maintains that Ms. Wilson was to purchase and have installed the cabinets. It is therefore debatable, and not clear from the evidence of record, whether the Respondent is indeed still owed money by Ms. Wilson, or whether he charged more money for his work during the course of the project than they had agreed to and therefore owes her a refund. In any event, the monetary dispute is not of direct relevance to the question of the violations charged in the Administrative Complaint. The Department adduced testimony of its investigator concerning investigative costs. She thus testified that she had no recollection of how many hours or how much time she had expended in investigating the case culminating in the Administrative Complaint. She testified that she relied on a computer time-tracking program of the Department. But no such record was offered into evidence, nor the custodian of such record to testify. Consequently, the cost figure asserted by the Department as investigative cost for this proceeding of $520.18 has not been proven by persuasive, competent evidence.

Recommendation Having considered the foregoing Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, the evidence of record, the candor and demeanor of the witnesses, and the pleadings and arguments of the parties, it is, therefore, RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation finding that the Respondent violated Sections 489.127(1)(7) and 489.531(1), Florida Statutes, and imposing an administrative penalty in the amount of $2,000.00. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of August, 2008, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S P. MICHAEL RUFF Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of August, 2008. COPIES FURNISHED: Sorin Ardelean, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Ned Luczynski, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Nancy S. Terrel, Hearing Officer Office of the General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Barry Rigby, Esquire Law Offices of Barry Rigby, P.A. 924 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 319 Orlando, Florida 32803 G.W. Harrell, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

Florida Laws (8) 120.569120.57455.228489.103489.105489.127489.505489.531 Florida Administrative Code (1) 61G4-12.011
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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION vs GERARD ALSIEUX, 18-000376 (2018)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Brooksville, Florida Jan. 19, 2018 Number: 18-000376 Latest Update: Jul. 06, 2024
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DAVID F. RHEAUME vs ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS` LICENSING BOARD, 06-002316 (2006)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Fort Myers, Florida Jun. 28, 2006 Number: 06-002316 Latest Update: Nov. 07, 2019

The Issue The issue presented is whether Petitioner's application to qualify two additional business entities should be granted.

Findings Of Fact Petitioner, David Rheaume, has been an electrician since about 1960. Petitioner is a certified electrical contractor, holding Florida license number EC 13003139. Petitioner currently serves as the primary qualifier for two companies, David's Electric Service, Inc. (David's Electric), in Fort Myers, and Primary Electric of Southwest Florida, Inc. (Primary Electric), in Cape Coral. As the primary qualifier for David's Electric and Primary Electric, Petitioner is responsible for the supervision of all operations of the business organization, for all field work at all sites, and for financial matters, both for the organization in general and for each specific job. § 489.522(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2006). David's Electric is wholly owned and operated by Petitioner. He is the sole officer and employee. On average, Petitioner works three-to-four hours per day, five or six days per week, doing mostly service work and upgrades. He gets most of his work from the local pennysaver-type advertising circular, and his schedule depends on the number of calls he receives from customers. He may work for six hours on one day, and not at all on the next. Petitioner considers himself semi-retired, and no longer undertakes new home installations. Petitioner is able to make his own flexible schedule as the owner/operator of David's Electric, and believes that he will be able to supervise the operations of the additional entities for which he seeks to act as qualifier. Primary Electric performs electrical service work and the wiring of newly constructed houses. Petitioner spends a "couple hours a week at the most," supervising the electrical contracting work of Primary Electric. The owner/operator of Primary Electric calls Petitioner when a job is ready for inspection. Petitioner then goes to the job site and checks to make sure the job has been done properly before the county inspector arrives. The owner/operator consults Petitioner if he has a problem understanding the blueprints on a job. The staff of Primary Electric consists of the owner/operator and two helpers. Petitioner is officially the vice president and owns ten percent of the company. He serves in a consulting capacity, and performs no physical work for Primary Electric. At the hearing, Petitioner identified the owner/operator of Primary Electric as "Don," and could not, with confidence, recall "Don's" surname. Don supervises the business on a day-to-day basis. Petitioner knew that Don's wife "signs all the checks," but was not certain whether she has an official position in the company. The checkbook and financial records are forwarded to the office of Petitioner's CPA, where Petitioner checks them. Don, the owner/operator of Primary Electric, is not a licensed electrical contractor. Petitioner allows Don to hire and supervise the helpers who work on Primary Electric's job site. Petitioner readily conceded that he knows nothing about the hiring or qualifications of the helpers, and that he relies on Don to address any problems with faulty work performed by the helpers. Primary Electric has pulled permits and performed electrical contracting jobs without Petitioner's prior knowledge. Petitioner testified that he allowed Don to go to local building departments and pull permits for electrical contracting jobs without prior consultation with Petitioner, because "I have that much faith in him." Petitioner acknowledged that on some smaller jobs, such as additions or service work, the owner/operator of Primary Electric has finished the jobs and gone through final inspections without ever notifying him. In response, Petitioner told Don to "at least call me." Petitioner applied to serve as the primary qualifier for Dolphin Electric of SW Florida, Inc. (Dolphin Electric), a start-up company based in Cape Coral. Vincent Sica is the president of Dolphin Electric, and Petitioner is the vice president and ten percent owner. Mr. Sica is a friend of Petitioner, and formerly worked for Petitioner at David's Electric. Mr. Sica was denied an electrical contractor's license by the Board, then asked Petitioner to serve as his qualifier, thereby allowing Dolphin Electric to work in the field of electrical contracting. Dolphin Electric, if approved as an additional business under Petitioner's license, would operate as an electrical contracting business focusing primarily on wiring new custom houses built by Mr. Sica's brother, who is a general contractor. Mr. Sica and his son would perform the work. Petitioner will perform no physical work for Dolphin Electric. Petitioner intends to supervise Dolphin Electric in the same manner that he supervises Primary Electric, including allowing Mr. Sica to pull permits for electrical jobs without first consulting Petitioner. According to Petitioner, Mr. Sica was an electrician in New Jersey and is very qualified. Petitioner stated that he would likely supervise Dolphin Electric a little more closely, if only, because he and Mr. Sica are friends and spend a lot of time together. Petitioner applied to serve as the primary qualifier for Mill Electrical Contractors, Inc. (Mill Electric), a start- up company based in Fort Myers. Terry Gaschk is the president of Mill Electric, and Petitioner is the vice president and ten percent owner. Mr. Gaschk is a friend of Petitioner, and worked for Petitioner at David's Electric during a busy time. Although he has only known Mr. Gaschk for one year, Petitioner testified that Mr. Gaschk is "like a brother" to him and is a better electrician than Petitioner. When Mr. Gaschk wanted to start his own company, Petitioner was willing to serve as his qualifier. Mill Electric, if approved as an additional business under Petitioner's license, would probably operate as an electrical contracting business focusing primarily on wiring newly constructed houses. Petitioner was not sure of Mr. Gaschk's intentions, because of the current softness of the residential construction business. Petitioner guessed that Mill Electric would stay a one-man operation doing service jobs until the market improves. Petitioner intends to supervise Mill Electric in the same manner that he supervises Primary Electric, including allowing Mr. Gaschk to pull permits for electrical jobs without first consulting Petitioner. Petitioner did not demonstrate intent to adequately supervise the operations of the proposed additional entities, Dolphin Electric and Mill Electric. At Petitioner's application request hearing, the Board's chief concern was the appearance that Petitioner was engaged in a "license selling" scheme with his friends. At the de novo hearing before the undersigned, Petitioner did little to put this concern to rest. Petitioner's intent is to continue working part-time for his own company, and to allow his friends to run the day-to- day operations of the two start-up companies, including the hiring and supervision of employees, the pulling of permits for electrical work, and the performance of that work without the direct supervision of a certified electrical contractor. In general, Petitioner would be consulted when there is a problem with the work, or when his presence is required for an inspection. The undersigned does not find that Petitioner had any conscious bad intentions in making his applications. Petitioner sincerely believes that Mr. Sica and Mr. Gaschk are at least as proficient in the field as is he, and is confident enough, in his opinion, to risk his license on their behalf. However, Petitioner's casual manner of supervising the work of his friends, coupled with the sheer volume of supervisory work that he proposed to undertake for a total of three companies plus his own, caused reasonable doubts in the mind of the Board. Unfortunately, Petitioner was unable to dispel those doubts in this proceeding.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that: A final order be entered denying Petitioner's applications to qualify Dolphin Electric of SW Florida, Inc., and Mill Electrical Contractors, Inc. as additional business entities. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of March, 2007, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LAWRENCE P. STEVENSON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of March, 2007. COPIES FURNISHED: Reginald D. Dixon, Esquire Department of Legal Affairs The Capitol, Plaza Level 01 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050 Howard Andrew Swett, Esquire Knott, Consoer, Ebelini, Hart & Swett, P.A. 1625 Hendry Street, Suite 301 Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Anthony B. Spivey, Executive Director Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Josefina Tamayo, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulations 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

Florida Laws (4) 120.57120.68489.521489.522
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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD vs DAVID KARABLY, 01-002543PL (2001)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Gainesville, Florida Jun. 29, 2001 Number: 01-002543PL Latest Update: Jul. 15, 2004

The Issue Whether the Respondent failed to provide proof of workers' compensation coverage or exemption, and proof of having completed 14 hours of approved continuing education in response to an audit conducted by the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board for the biennium commencing September 1, 1996, and terminating on August 31, 1998, in violation of Subsection 489.533(1)(o), Florida Statutes, by violating Subsections 489.515(3) and 489.517(3), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G6- 9.011, Florida Administrative Code, as alleged in the Amended Administrative Complaint.

Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the state agency charged with regulating the practice of electrical contracting in Florida and those licensed under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, pursuant to Section 20.165, and Chapter 455, Florida Statutes. The Respondent is, and has been at all times material to the allegations in the Amended Administrative Complaint, an electrical contractor licensed by the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. From 1987 until 2000, the Respondent was a registered electrical contractor, holding license number ER 0010816. Since August of 2000 the Respondent has been a certified electrical contractor holding license number EC 0002356. The Respondent's practice pursuant to his registered license was a prerequisite to issuance of his certified license. All insurance and continuing education requirements for renewal of a license issued by the ECLB are set forth in Sections 489.515 and 489.517, Florida Statutes, as well as Rule 61G6-9.004, Florida Administrative Code, and are identical for certified and registered electrical contractors. In March of 1999 the ECLB conducted a random audit of the insurance and continuing education requirements established in Rule 61G6-9.004, Florida Administrative Code, for the biennium commencing September 1, 1996, and terminating August 31, 1998. The Respondent was one of the licensees randomly chosen for this audit. In response to the initial audit letter sent to the Respondent on March 17, 1999, the Respondent submitted insurance and continuing education documentation. This documentation reflects: no evidence of workers' compensation coverage or exemption for the audit period; no evidence of approved continuing education for the audit period; and no evidence of required liability insurance for the audit period. The continuing education documentation submitted by the Respondent was for the prior biennium, in February 1996. On July 19, 1999, the ECLB forwarded the Respondent a follow-up letter, indicating that he was still lacking the documents enumerated in Finding of Fact Number 5. In response to this letter, the Respondent submitted documentation of the required liability insurance and of workers' compensation for May 1, 1997 through June 22, 1999. At hearing, the Respondent produced a document similar to those previously provided to the DBPR documenting his workmen's compensation insurance from March 1, 1995 to May 1, 1997. The date of this document was the same as the date on the materials previously furnished to DBPR. The Respondent testified that his insurance agent had faxed the requested documents to DBPR and sent copies to him. He received all of the documents substantiating his insurance from May 1, 1997 until June 22, 1999. His agent presumably forwarded or faxed the same documents to DBPR. DBPR produced all the documents except the one for the period of March 1, 1995 until May 1, 1997. The Respondent provided enough information to raise a genuine question whether this document was lost by DBPR. It is concluded that it is as likely DBPR lost the record as it is the record was not sent. There was no additional documentation of the required continuing education submitted at hearing. Subsequent to the completion of the audit, the ECLB initiated a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Services at DBPR. This complaint alleges that the Respondent failed to document required workers' compensation coverage or exemption for the entire audit period and failed to document required continuing education within the audit period. The Respondent was initially issued citations for resolution of the alleged violations herein. Each of these citations provided for a $500 administrative fine. The continuing education violation was documented as DBPR case number 2000-08338 and the workers' compensation violation was documented as 2000-05654. The Respondent chose to dispute these citations, and as a result, this matter was handled pursuant to the provisions of Section 455.225, Florida Statutes. The Respondent has failed to document completion of hours of board approved continuing education between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998. The Respondent failed to obtain any board approved continuing education between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998. In DBPR case number 2000-08338, the Petitioner incurred non-legal costs in the amount of $31.70. In DBPR case number 2000-05654, the Petitioner incurred non-legal costs in the amount of $42.47. However, this cost may not be recovered.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law set forth herein, it is RECOMMENDED: That a final order be entered imposing an administrative fine of $500 against the Respondent for Count II of the Amended Administrative Complaint. It is further recommended that the Respondent be required to pay the non-legal costs incurred by the Petitioner in both agency cases totaling $31.70. DONE AND ENTERED this 14th day of September, 2001, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 14th day of September, 2001. COPIES FURNISHED: Laura P. Gaffney, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 60 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 David Karably Post Office Box 12 Earleton, Florida 32631 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Anthony B. Spivey, Executive Director Electrical Contractors Licensing Board Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

Florida Laws (7) 120.56920.165455.225489.510489.515489.517489.533 Florida Administrative Code (3) 61G6-10.00261G6-5.00861G6-9.004
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ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD vs. JOSEPH B. SMITH, 83-000247 (1983)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 83-000247 Latest Update: Jun. 28, 1983

Findings Of Fact The Respondent, Joseph B. Smith is the holder of a registered electrical contractor's license, number ER 0007369, issued by the State of Florida. During the month of May, 1981, the Respondent obtained an electrical permit for work on apartments located at the corner of Stockton and Forbes Streets, in Jacksonville, Florida. The work was contracted for by Ronnie D. Norvelle. Gary Moore performed the electrical work on the project. Neither of these men was employed by or under the supervision of the Respondent. On March 3, 1982, the Construction Trades Qualifying Board for the City of Jacksonville, Florida, directed that a letter of reprimand be placed in the Respondent's permanent record. The basis for the action taken by the Construction Trades Qualifying Board for the City of Jacksonville, Florida, was the violation of Section 950.111(a), Code of Ordinances of the City of Jacksonville.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that license number ER 0007369 held by the Respondent, Joseph B. Smith, be revoked. THIS ORDER ENTERED this 28th day of June, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. WILLIAM B. THOMAS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 28th day of June, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Stephanie A. Daniel, Esquire 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Joseph B. Smith 6335 Park Street Jacksonville, Florida 32205 Allen R. Smith, Jr., Executive Director Electrical Contractors Licensing Board 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Fred M. Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Florida Laws (2) 120.57489.533
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JUAN M. REYNES vs. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD, 84-001955 (1984)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 84-001955 Latest Update: Nov. 29, 1984

The Issue The Petitioner has applied to take the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board licensure examination and the Board proposes to deny the Petitioner's application on the ground that the Petitioner does not fully meet the experience requirements which are prerequisites to taking the examination. The parties stipulated that the Petitioner has satisfied one-half of the experience requirement pursuant to Rule 21GG-5.03(2), Florida Administrative Code, by reason of his having a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami. Thus, the central issue in this case is whether the Petitioner's professional and business experience constitutes one and one-half years "proven experience in the trade as an electrical contractor or in a responsible management position with an electrical contractor." See Section 2489.521, Fla. Stat., Rule 2100-5.03(1), F.A.C.

Findings Of Fact Based on the testimony of the witnesses, the exhibits received in evidence, and the stipulations of the parties, I make the following findings of fact. Mr. Juan M. Reynes has applied to the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (hereinafter referred to as "the Board") to take the licensure examination for certification as an electrical contractor. Mr. Reynes' application was denied because the Board concluded that he had failed to demonstrate the experience required by Section 2489.521, Florida Statutes, as interpreted by Rule 21GG-5.03, Florida Administrative Code. Mr. Reynes is originally from Cuba, where his father ran an electrical contracting company. When Mr. Reynes was a teenager he began working in his father's business in 1949. He worked in a number of capacities, including work as an apprentice to an electrical engineer. Thereafter Mr. Reynes studied electrical engineering at the University of Havana and received a degree in electrical engineering during the middle or late 1950's. Thereafter, Mr. Reynes was licensed as an electrical engineer in Cuba. Following receipt of his degree and license as an electrical engineer, Mr. Reynes continued to work for his father's electrical contracting company from 1958 until sometime in 1962. During the period from 1958 to 1962, Mr. Reynes was involved in all aspects of the management of his father's electrical contracting company. His involvement in the management of the business included such things as signing contracts for the company, locating new business for the company, obtaining the necessary permits, dealing with the supply houses, and keeping the necessary employee records. In Cuba a license to practice electrical engineering also authorized the licensee to engage in the business of electrical contracting. The permitting procedure in Cuba was one in which permission to construct was obtained by having the appropriate government officials sign the blue prints. It was necessary to have an electrical engineer degree in order to submit blue prints for government approval. At the time Mr. Reynes was working as a licensed electrical engineer with his father's company there were laws in Cuba similar to Florida's worker's compensation laws and unemployment compensation laws. Workers in Cuba were also guaranteed certain other benefits such as guaranteed vacation days and sick leave. It was necessary to keep records regarding each employee. At the time Cuba did not have any laws similar to the Social Security laws in this country. When Mr. Reynes was studying for his electrical engineering degree in Cuba, his course work included studying the law of contracts. Thereafter Mr. Reynes spent a number of years in jail in Cuba as a political prisoner. Following his release from jail, from October of 1970 until January 1972 Mr. Reynes worked on some extensive electrical construction projects for Alfa Romeo in Cuba. After finishing that project, Mr. Reynes was able to obtain permission to leave Cuba and move to Spain. All of the electrical construction projects that Mr. Reynes was involved in within Cuba were built pursuant to the latest available edition of the North American National Electric Code. In Spain, Mr. Reynes did some work in the fields of electronics and electrical engineering. He left Spain and came to the United States. In the United States he has worked for a lot of companies in a variety of positions related to one aspect or another of electricity, but most of that experience is not relevant to the experience requirements for taking the electrical contractor's certification examination. While working in the United States, Mr. Reynes studied electrical engineering at the University of Miami and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in May of 1981. He graduated cum laude as a result of receiving high grades, which he was able to do while also working full time to support himself and his family. In October of 1981, he took the licensure examination for professional engineer and passed it the first time he took it. Since February of 1982, he has been licensed as a professional engineer by the Board of Professional Engineers of the State of Florida. Since being licensed as a professional engineer, Mr. Reynes has owned and operated his own electrical engineering business. He has worked as an engineering consultant for several general contractors and electrical contractors, but he has not been in a responsible management position with an electrical contractor since coming to the United States, nor has he pulled any building permits for electrical construction in the United States. However, in working for electrical contractors, he has done such things as calculate the total number of man hours required for projects, calculate the total cost of supplies for projects, and supervised the actual construction of projects. In the operation of his own business Mr. Reynes has one full-time employee and two part-time employees. In the operation of his own business he has become familiar with such matters as preparation of payroll and the necessary deductions, the Internal Revenue Service requirements for businesses, worker's compensation insurance, and unemployment compensation insurance. An important part of the experience required by the applicable statute and rule is experience in the business activities aspect of electrical contracting. These activities include such things as payroll, insurance, bonding, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, contract, and building laws.

Recommendation On the basis of all of the foregoing it is recommended that the Electrical Contractor's Licensing Board issue a Final Order concluding that Mr. Reynes is eligible to take the next electrical contractors' certification examination. DONE and ORDERED this 29th of November 1984, at Tallahassee, Florida. MICHAEL M. PARRISH Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 FILED with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of November 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Juan M. Reynes, 336 W. 16th Street Hialeah, Florida 33010 Arthur Wallberg, Esquire Assistant Attorney General Room 1601 The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 323301 Allen R. Smith, Jr. Executive Director Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board 130 N. Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301

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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION vs BRIAN M. HELM, 11-000425 (2011)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Fort Myers, Florida Jan. 24, 2011 Number: 11-000425 Latest Update: Jul. 06, 2024
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