ABOUT US
Lighthouse Entitlement Professionals is a local, family-owned and operated firm specializing in land entitlement and platting services throughout South Florida.
The firm was founded by industry professionals who, after the closure of a long-standing employer, recognized a growing gap in the market. The specialized expertise they had spent decades developing—knowledge of platting procedures, entitlement coordination, and regulatory navigation—was becoming increasingly difficult to find. Rather than let that experience disappear, they established Lighthouse Entitlement Professionals to continue serving the land development community with the same level of care, precision, and institutional knowledge.
Today, our entitlement specialists maintain strong working relationships across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions, allowing us to efficiently streamline the platting and entitlement process for our clients. We specialize in projects throughout Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and municipalities across South Florida, providing clear guidance and reliable execution in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Meet Tara
Tara M. Ramos is the Co-Founder and President of LEP, bringing over fifteen years of hands-on experience in land development, platting, and entitlement services throughout South Florida.
Her path into the industry started early—spending childhood weekends at construction sites with her father and summers filing plans and paperwork at an engineering firm alongside her mother. Those early experiences laid the groundwork for a deep respect for the development process and the people who make it happen.
Tara began her professional career as a receptionist at Ludovici & Orange Consulting Engineers, where she steadily advanced to become Survey Department Manager. Over the years, she developed a comprehensive understanding of the land development process, with a particular focus on platting and entitlement coordination. She managed all survey-related aspects of projects, performed quality assurance reviews, established and tracked project schedules, coordinated surveyors and field crews, and worked closely with civil engineers, planners, and other professionals to keep projects moving efficiently from concept to approval.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail and mastery of administrative and regulatory processes, Tara serves as a trusted advocate for clients navigating South Florida’s complex entitlement landscape. Her practical experience, institutional knowledge, and collaborative approach make her a valuable partner to developers, landowners, and professionals seeking clear direction and reliable execution.
Meet Ory
Oriza M. Dawes, better known as Ory, is the Co-Founder and Vice President of LEP, bringing more than four decades of experience in construction, development, and engineering administration to the firm.
Ory began her career in residential construction at a young age, where early exposure to job sites sparked a lifelong passion for the development industry. In 1983, she joined a prominent residential developer as a construction secretary working directly on project sites. In this role, she supported field operations and later transitioned into an office position, where she coordinated residential closings with homebuyers, attorneys, banks, and title companies, conducted buyer walkthroughs, and served as an administrative assistant to the company’s President.
In 1988, Ory’s industry reputation and professional relationships led her to Ludovici & Orange Consulting Engineers—an organization she would call home for the next 36 years. Over her tenure, Ory held a wide range of leadership and operational roles, including Office Manager, Bookkeeper, Contract Administrator, Client Relations Manager, Coordinator of Contractor Bids, Human Resources, Training Manager, and Executive Administrative Assistant. Her breadth of responsibility provided her with a rare, comprehensive understanding of both the technical and business sides of the land development process.
Ory’s institutional knowledge, operational expertise, and steady leadership provide immeasurable value to LEP and its clients. She is known for being the person who knows where everything is, how it works, and how to keep projects—and people—moving forward.