 
 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Appoints Dawit Abraham as DPIE's New Director
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Prince George’s County Tara Jackson (right) presents DPIE Director Dawit Abraham with his appointment certificate after Dawit’s appointment was confirmed by Prince George's County Council.
County Executive Alsobrooks's Appointment Letter to Prince George's County Council
It is my pleasure to submit to you and the County Council the appointment of Mr. Dawit Abraham as Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) for Prince George’s County. He has served as Acting Director since June 16, 2023.
Mr. Abraham has steadily risen through the ranks of Prince George’s County Government throughout his career, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role as Director. He has a strong understanding of DPIE and will play a critical role in leading the agency into its next chapter. Prior to his appointment as Acting Director, he served as Deputy Director since 2017 and has extensive intergovernmental relationship skills to work effectively with County, Federal, State and area Municipal officials.
Mr. Abraham received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa; his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Ohio University; and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from Lehigh University. He is a Professional Engineer and maintains professional affiliations with County Engineers Association of Maryland, National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Pursuant to Sections 322 and 504 of the Prince George’s County Charter, I am appointing Mr. Dawit Abraham, as Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) for Prince George’s County.
Angela D. Alsobrooks
County Executive
|
DPIE Director Dawit Abraham (left) takes the Oath of Office with his son's participation.
Mr. Abraham's Qualifications
Mr. Dawit Abraham is a certified Professional Engineer with over four decades of experience and has served in various roles within Prince George's County Government for nearly 38 years.
Before today's confirmation, Mr. Abraham was leading the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) as Acting Director, and prior to that, he was serving as a Deputy Director, a position he has held since August 2017.
In his role as a Deputy Director, he supported the DPIE Director in the administration of the agency budget and supported 308 staff members, giving him direct insight into the day-to-day operations of the agency and the work performed by the various divisions. In addition, his engineering background has allowed him to support the design, permitting, and inspection of several major development projects in the County, to include the Hampton Park Project in Capitol Heights, the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, and the New Carrollton Metro development.
Prior to assuming the role of Deputy Director, Mr. Abraham was an Associate Director at DPIE from July 2013 to August 2017. In this role, he was the lead engineer overseeing major development projects, including the Hotel at the University of Maryland, the Purple Line, and development around the Downtown Largo Metro station. He also supervised the Administrative Services Division, overseeing the agency budget and human resources issues.
Before joining DPIE, Mr. Abraham rose through the ranks of the County's Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T), serving as Chief of the Construction Regulations Division, Chief of the Engineering and Inspection Services Division, and Associate Director of Engineering. In several of these roles, he was responsible for overseeing the planning, permitting, and construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and drainage systems. He was also responsible for conducting inspections and code enforcement of new County transportation infrastructure.
Mr. Abraham is a certified Professional Engineer, with a current license in both Maryland and Virginia.
|
 DPIE Director Dawit Abraham's Message to the Prince George's County Council on September 19, 2023
Good morning, Council Chair, Vice-Chair, and the members of the Council. I am honored and humbled to be before you this afternoon.
I am also honored that County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has nominated me for this appointment as Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (known as DPIE). I thank her for her trust in my ability to lead this great agency, and I take this responsibility very seriously.
Most of you know me already, but I would like to take this time to reintroduce myself to you, to those here in this room and my fellow Prince Georgians who may not know me.
My name is Dawit Abraham. I am a Prince George’s resident. I began my engineering career in the private sector. I then joined the Prince George’s County government in 1985. I am a long tenured and experienced government official and public servant. I am here to lead and serve; that is what I do and that is who I am. I have been with the County for well over 30 years now, first at DPW&T and then at DPIE since its inception in 2013.
In 2013, DPIE was created to become a “one stop shop” for permitting, plan review, inspections, and enforcement. I first served as an Associate Director and became the Deputy Director of DPIE in 2017.
Many of you know my professional background, but for those who don’t, I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa and hold a Master of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering from Lehigh University. I am a certified Professional Engineer and licensed in Maryland and Virginia.
I have broad experience in engineering and construction work dealing with transportation and building infrastructures in Prince George’s County. I have managed engineering offices with diverse workforces to get projects accomplished within prescribed budgets and schedules. Based on my experience in the private sector and at DPIE, I can lead this agency with the staff and resources that are provided to ensure compliance with County codes.
DPIE is in a good place as there have been many improvements made under the Alsobrooks administration. We have made progress. But more is needed to become the best-in-class, high-functioning agency that I know we can be. I strongly believe we will be able to accomplish this with the world-class staff currently employed by DPIE.
If confirmed, I have several priorities and initiatives planned to continue the current path of DPIE’s enhancement.
Those priorities are:
- Expeditiously fill all vacant positions so we are at full complement.
- Establishment of a Small Commercial Unit in the Permitting & Licensing Division and the Building Plan Review Division.
- Establish a Customer Service Unit to become proactive in our approach.
- Continue to invest and upgrade the Momentum system.
- Invest in our staff by providing increased training for all DPIE staff.
- Enhance our communications with the businesses and residents of Prince George’s County.
- Strengthen our Enforcement Division to ensure safe and healthy living conditions for our communities.
- Focus on elimination of blight and nuisances associated with vacant and occupied properties so this County can remain a great place in which to live, work, visit and invest.
I thank you for your consideration and will be happy to answer any questions that you have about my background or vison for leading this great agency.
Thank you.
SAVE THE DATE!
DPIE, DoE and DPW&T invite you to join us as we share information about programs, services and new initiatives!
To attend the Fall 2023 Virtual Community Partners’ Meeting, click the link to fill out the sign-up sheet: http://rb.gy/ka9c9. You will receive an email with a new link to attend the 2023 Fall Community Partners’ Meeting.
For questions, email DPIEPIO@co.pg.md.us.
Prince Georgians, are you ready to go PINK? Next week, County Executive Alsobrooks is kicking off her annual Prince George’s Goes Pink initiative in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many in our County, and this effort gives us the opportunity to spread greater awareness about this disease. There will be several events and activities taking place across the County throughout October. Learn more about Prince George’s Goes Pink at:
mypgc.us/PGGP #PrinceGeorgesGoesPink #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
 
As you prepare your property for fall, correct any code violations and other maintenance issues. Join DPIE as we support Growing Green with Pride Day on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Visit the Growing Green with Pride — Fall 2023 event page for more information.
 
Prince George’s County government offices, with the exception of public safety agencies, will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2023, in observance of Native American Day.
|
