Charles Howard (C.H.) Fenstermaker, Jr., launches the company Fenstermaker in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Menu
Our Story
Charles Howard Fenstermaker, Jr., founded Fenstermaker in 1950. The small survey and mapping company was established in New Iberia, Louisiana. Charles was the son of C. H. Fenstermaker, Sr., who also started his career as a surveyor in Louisiana in the early 1900s. Initially, the firm performed survey and mapping services almost exclusively for oil and gas clients.
Today, the company’s Chairman and CEO is William H. Fenstermaker, son of Charles Howard Jr., and the third generation to lead the family legacy. Over the years, Fenstermaker has grown into a diverse consulting firm that specializes in survey and mapping, engineering, environmental services, and advanced technologies. Capable of handling projects that require the expertise of one discipline or the combined efforts of several divisions, Fenstermaker has risen to become one of the largest and most respected engineering consulting firms in the South. With its unique diversity of expertise, Fenstermaker serves a variety of markets, including government agencies at all levels and corporations representing various industries.
Fenstermaker’s early adoption of automated mapping kept the firm at the forefront of survey and mapping technology. Throughout the growth of the company, including the addition of our Engineering, Environmental, and Advanced Technologies Divisions, Fenstermaker’s commitment to the latest technologies and progressive methods has set it apart from the competition. The firm’s introduction of smart maps in the mid ’80s paved the way for advanced computer mapping techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Since then, the company has continued to develop as a technological leader in offering diverse yet complimentary services that provide lasting results for our clients.
In the past decade alone, Fenstermaker has experienced a marked growth in the volume and scope of our work. To help manage this rapid growth, Kam Movassaghi, Ph.D., P.E., joined the firm as its new President in 2005. He is a long-time friend of the Fenstermaker family and a well-respected engineer, business leader, and educator. Dr. Movassaghi formerly served as the Secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development. Under the direction of Dr. Movassaghi, the firm’s commitment to excellence and the success of our clients has remained a top priority.
Following Dr. Movassaghi’s retirement at the end of 2014, Bill Fenstermaker appointed Alex Lincoln to the position of President. A businessman with strong leadership skills, Mr. Lincoln brought a new perspective to the organization. Under his leadership, the company refined processes and training efforts and renewed the firm’s commitment to safety. Under Lincoln’s direction, Fenstermaker has introduced new services and technologies and a reaffirmed its commitment to a culture of innovation, quality and exceptional customer service.
In December of 2018, Bill Fenstermaker announced the retirement of Alex Lincoln and named Charles Fenstermaker President of the organization effective January 1, 2019. Charles Fenstermaker is the grandson of founder Charles Howard Fenstermaker, Jr. and the son of Chairman and CEO William H. Fenstermaker.
The business moves out of the family home into three rooms on Burke Street in New Iberia, LA.
Fenstermaker moves to offices on Charles Street in New Iberia.
The company builds a two-story building at 1538 Pinhook Road in Lafayette, LA. The Lafayette office houses about 10 employees while another eight remains at the Charles Street location, which later becomes the company’s warehouse for boats and field surveying equipment.
William (Bill) Fenstermaker, son of Charles Howard, Jr., joins the family business full-time.
The Engineering Division is created to provide civil engineering services for government agencies and private developers.
Bill Fenstermaker takes over as President and CEO of the company.
Following a period of rapid growth, the company headquarter moves to its present location at 135 Regency Square in Lafayette, LA.
The oil industry experiences a downturn. Fenstermaker continues to diversify, adding the Environmental Division.
Fenstermaker establishes its New Orleans office upon purchasing Aubry G. Burke & Associates, a successful survey and mapping firm located in the Crescent City.
Fenstermaker is awarded a $5 million contract with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to map the entire Atchafalaya Basin. The contract leads to more jobs and even greater diversification.
The company develops two new areas of expertise: Information Technology and Special Projects.
Bill Fenstermaker is named the winner of the Entrepreneurial Success Award from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
C.H. Fenstermaker, Jr., is presented with the Surveyor of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement by The Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors.
Bill Fenstermaker is appointed to serve as Chairman and President of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
The Lafayette campus expands to include the administrative building and technical building.
Fenstermaker opens a Houston location.
Fenstermaker opens a Baton Rouge location.
The Business Development team forms to manage the company’s proposals, contracts, marketing, PR and business communications.
Company-wide implementation of the Strategic Planning Process begins.
Dr. Kam Movassaghi, Ph.D., P.E., joins Fenstermaker as its new President.
The Lafayette campus expands again, adding the new Environmental Building and remodeling the existing campus.
Fenstermaker opens a Shreveport location.
Fenstermaker adds an Advanced Technologies Division incorporating Underwater Acoustic Services, High Definition Survey, and Geographic Information Systems.
Dr. Kam Movassaghi serves as President of the Transportation & Development Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Dr. Kam Movassaghi is inducted as Chairman of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Fenstermaker’s Advanced Technologies Division wins the Louisiana Transportation Excellence Award at the 2009 Transportation Engineering Conference.
Fenstermaker’s survey and environmental teams begin work in the Eagle Ford Shale area in Texas.
Fenstermaker opens San Antonio office.
Fenstermaker’s survey team expands operations into the Marcellus Shale area in Pennsylvania.
Official name of the company changes to C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C.
Fenstermaker’s Survey, Engineering and Environmental teams expand operations to the Utica Shale area in Ohio.
Fenstermaker opens a new office on the 4th floor of the Capital One Tower in Lake Charles, LA, to continue its support of new industries and growth in Southwest Louisiana.
On December 31, President Kam Movassaghi, Ph.D, P.E. retires after 10 years with the firm.
On January 5, CEO and Chairman of the Board Bill Fenstermaker announces the appointment of Alex Lincoln as the new President of Fenstermaker.
Fenstermaker opens Midland, TX support office.
Dr. John Foret named Vice President of Fenstermaker’s Environmental Division.
Fenstermaker recognized at Louisiana Transportation Conference for the Sasol Heavy Haul Road project. The project was selected as winner of the 2018 Transportation Excellence Award.
Fenstermaker expands operations in Midland, TX.
Charles Fenstermaker becomes President of C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C.
On November 21, 2019, Fenstermaker was honored at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana Engineering Excellence Awards Gala with two Grand Awards – Transportation Category for U.S. 90 (I-49 South) and Industrial & Manufacturing Process & Facilities Category for SASOL USA Mega Project Heavy Haul Road.
Fenstermaker was also presented with the coveted People’s Choice Award for the U.S. 90 (I-49 South) project. It is a distinct honor to be presented with this award determined by our industry peers.Fenstermaker opens Mandeville, LA to better serve clients in the region.
Your company’s success is our business
Discover our industry-leading products and service that our customers have been trusting in for decades. Whatever your need, we’re here.