Graciela Patino, Senior Vice President I – Electrical Engineering, is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. She has over 30 years of experience, specializing in power distribution design, instrumentation and controls, and motor drive systems. Graciela has worked in the movable bridge industry for 25 years, designing and commissioning electrical and control systems for movable bridges. Her control system designs include microprocessor- and PLC-based systems (programmable logic controllers), hardwired relay-based systems, and hybrid configurations.

Graciela has played a key role in the Shore Power Project for PortMiami, contributing to the electrical design, calculations, plan preparation, technical special provisions, interdisciplinary coordination, and construction support—including commissioning. The project provides electrical supply to five cruise berths, accommodating various classes of vessels at each berth. The scope includes the design and permitting of 2.5 miles of dedicated duct bank delivering 13.8kV primary service to prefabricated, modular shore power substations, supplying both 6.6kV and 11kV power to cruise ships. The substations are capable of power factor correction as required by the power service provider. Flush-mounted connector pits for power, control, and communications are embedded in the dock surface to minimize interference with dock operations. The design also incorporates a 75-year sustainable sea-level rise projection and required extensive coordination with existing cruise berth and upland features, including structural, civil, utility, and marine appurtenances.

Graciela is highly experienced in the design, start-up, and commissioning of movable bridges. Her detailed design work focuses on instrumentation and controls, motor control and drives, and power distribution. This includes control using distributed control systems, programmable controllers, hardwired controls, short-circuit fault analysis, and cable and conduit layouts. She also brings expertise in design management, field supervision, and systems commissioning, and has conducted detailed shop and field inspections of movable bridge power and control systems.

Graciela is a contributing author of the article “Movable Bridge Inspection Safety,” published in Better Roads, November 2001.