Nikesh Patel
Director of Public Works
City of Sarasota
Company
City of Sarasota
City of Sarasota
Connect
Home Region
Calusa
Class
Connect Class 13
Additional Company (current)
Blu Consulting LLC
Special Designation
Lifetime Member
Areas of Expertise
Building Materials, Citizen Engagement, Construction Companies, Contractor, Economic Development, Engineering, Government, Land, Land Use and Environmental Planning, Printing and Copying Services, Project Management, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Resilience, Strategic Planning, Technology and Software, Transportation, Transportation (Rail, Public Transportation, etc), Urban Design, Water Management, Mentoring
Biography
Nikesh S. Patel, P.E., CPM, PTOE, CGC, AICP serves as Public Works Director for the City of Sarasota, where he leads the teams responsible for keeping the city moving—engineering, stormwater, solid waste, fleet, and multimodal infrastructure. With over two decades of experience in transportation and public works, Nikesh blends technical expertise with a passion for resilience, innovation, and community partnership.
Nikesh’s career began at the Florida Department of Transportation, where he spent 17 years shaping some of Florida’s most significant transportation projects, from roundabouts and bridges to emergency storm response. In 2021, he joined the City of Sarasota as City Engineer, later becoming Public Works Director. Since then, he has guided award-winning initiatives such as the Ringling Trail Complete Streets and the Lido Beach Renourishment, while securing multimillion-dollar state and federal grants to strengthen Sarasota’s infrastructure and coastal resilience.
His work has been honored with awards including the America’s Transportation Award, the APWA Florida Project of the Year, and the Florida Engineering Society Government Engineer of the Year Award. His leadership in smart city innovation, coastal protection, and mobility planning has been featured in Engineering Florida, Florida Public Works Magazine, and Roads & Bridges.
Nikesh holds a Master’s in Engineering Management and dual bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida, along with professional certifications in planning, traffic operations, construction, and public management.
Beyond his professional role, Nikesh is a husband and father of two. He and his family enjoy Sarasota’s cultural life, farmer’s markets, and beaches. At home, the Patels run a small farm where they care for rescued animals—an extension of Nikesh’s belief in sustainability, stewardship, and giving back to the community he serves.
Nikesh’s career began at the Florida Department of Transportation, where he spent 17 years shaping some of Florida’s most significant transportation projects, from roundabouts and bridges to emergency storm response. In 2021, he joined the City of Sarasota as City Engineer, later becoming Public Works Director. Since then, he has guided award-winning initiatives such as the Ringling Trail Complete Streets and the Lido Beach Renourishment, while securing multimillion-dollar state and federal grants to strengthen Sarasota’s infrastructure and coastal resilience.
His work has been honored with awards including the America’s Transportation Award, the APWA Florida Project of the Year, and the Florida Engineering Society Government Engineer of the Year Award. His leadership in smart city innovation, coastal protection, and mobility planning has been featured in Engineering Florida, Florida Public Works Magazine, and Roads & Bridges.
Nikesh holds a Master’s in Engineering Management and dual bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida, along with professional certifications in planning, traffic operations, construction, and public management.
Beyond his professional role, Nikesh is a husband and father of two. He and his family enjoy Sarasota’s cultural life, farmer’s markets, and beaches. At home, the Patels run a small farm where they care for rescued animals—an extension of Nikesh’s belief in sustainability, stewardship, and giving back to the community he serves.