Joseph W. J. Robinson P.E.
Joseph W. J. Robinson P.E., a native of Tampa Florida attended St. Peter Claver Catholic School to begin his formal education.
When the interstate took their Central Park home in 1962, they moved to West Tampa and he attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Robinson then attended Tampa Catholic High School, where he distinguished himself as an athlete and graduated in 1972. Robinson also played Junior Varsity and Varsity Football for the school.
Robinson was selected for induction into the 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame at Tampa Catholic for his prowess in track and field.
Some other high school accomplishments include: Co-Record Holder in the 100- yard dash at 9.8 secs. (1972) also Captain of Track Team; received Most Valuable Track member trophy in 1972; in 1971 JV Team went 10-0; long jumped over 22 feet each time he long jumped for Tampa Catholic; in 1972, he ran the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, anchored 440-yard relay and sometimes the mile relay; received The University of IOWA’s James Van Allen Physics scholarship for 4 years.
After graduation, and on the heels of integration, the young man was accepted at the University of Iowa and selected the field of Mechanical Engineering as his major. The selected field was one not overpopulated by Blacks, which helped to ensure that he would find gainful employment after graduation.
Even so, Robinson said it has not been easy, having to challenge those in charge many times in order to maintain employment. Yet, he persevered and has been a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer for more than 40 years and has his own Consulting Engineering firm for the past 33 years. He is also proud of the fact that his only child, Mrs. Aeriell Robinson Belle, BSIE., MSEM, followed him and became an Engineer as well.
Robinson graduated in 1977 and returned home to begin his adult life. He immediately became involved in several organizations, and has been hailed as a trailblazer in many. Some include: Community Activist at Hillsborough County and Hillsborough County School Board, Tampa City Council meetings, public hearings and community meetings.
He has also served as: Chair, West Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA); Community Advisory Committee (CAC) (2015 to 2020 and 2023 to 2025); Vice-Chair, West Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA); Community Advisory Committee (CAC) (2020 to 2023); Board Member, Vice Chairperson and Founding Member, The West Tampa Community Development Corporation, Inc. (Non-Profit CDC); Treasurer, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council No. 12110, Tampa, Florida, Sacred Heart Catholic Church (2010 to present); Member, The University of Iowa’s Letterman’s Club (4-Year Track and Field Letterman, Iowa City, Iowa – 1972-1976); Member, Pi Tau Sigma, Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity, The University of Iowa; Member, Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, The University of Iowa, Omicron Chapter; Past Alumni Member, The University of Iowa’s Alumni Seeking Iowa Students (ASIST) Program (Office of Admissions Recruitment Representative); among others.
He is a founding Charter Member of NSBE and has also served as Past President of The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Tampa Bay Professional Chapter, Tampa, Florida; Past Member, Tampa Bay Community Advocacy Committee (TBCAC) (2015 to 2020); Past 1st Vice-President and Freedom Fund Dinner Chair, NAACP Hillsborough County Branch (2013-2014); 2nd Vice- President, NAACP Hillsborough County Branch (2015 to 2022); Economic Development Committee Chair, NAACP Hillsborough County Branch; Past Member, Hillsborough County 2010 Charter Review Board; and Past Gubernatorial Appointment, Vice Chair, Southwest Florida Water Management District -Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board, March 2001-January 2009; Hillsborough River Basin; Past Member – Southwest Florida Water Management District Land Acquisition Committee; past Board Member, City of Tampa’s Enterprise Community Based Partnership (Enterprise Zone); Past Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council No. 12110, Tampa, Florida, Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Past Board Member, The USS Forrestal Sea, Air and Space Museum, Inc., Tampa, Florida; Past President, Tampa Bay Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association, Tampa, Florida; Past Chairperson of the Board and Founding Member, The West Tampa Revitalization Corporation, Inc.; Past Member, National Management Association, Tampa Electric Company Chapter; and Past Mayoral Appointment, The West Tampa Development Advisory Committee.