Earning a Professional Engineer license is a pivotal milestone in an engineer’s journey—affirming years of dedication, applied learning, and technical growth. It represents legitimacy in the field and opens new pathways for career advancement. Fenstermaker is proud to announce that Harry Spavin, a valued member of the Coastal Engineering team within our Environmental Division, has officially earned Professional Engineering licensure in the state of Louisiana.

Harry joined Fenstermaker in 2021 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Under the guidance of Daniel Dehon, M.S., P.E., he quickly immersed himself in the dynamic world of coastal engineering—gaining hands-on experience across a range of project environments throughout southern Louisiana and into Texas. From design to construction and restoration, Harry proved to be a quick study, undeterred by the challenges that come with preserving and protecting our vital coastline. His passion for coastal work began during his time at UL and has only deepened since.

 

A Passion for Coastal Engineering Sparked at UL Lafayette

As part of his final year at UL, Harry participated in a senior design project focused on a coastal region—an experience that confirmed his natural fit for this field. That project was guided by Nicholas McCoy, M.S., P.E., State Design and Construction Engineer with the Louisiana branch of NRCS, who offered Harry an early look at what real-world coastal engineering demands. Around that same time, Harry met members of Fenstermaker’s Coastal team who recognized his potential and encouraged him to consider a future in coastal restoration. After graduation, he joined the firm and began working under the mentorship of Daniel Dehon, who has played a central role in Harry’s professional development.

“Harry’s journey has been remarkable to witness. Since joining our team, he’s consistently shown initiative, integrity, and a strong capacity to learn. He’s tackled complex challenges head-on—whether it was stabilizing shoreline in Cameron Parish or working alongside partners on projects like Mermentau and Lake Boudreaux. Achieving his P.E. isn’t just a box checked—it’s the result of years of dedication. I’m proud of the engineer he’s become and look forward to seeing what he’ll accomplish next.” —Daniel Dehon, Coastal Engineer

Some of the projects over the past 4 years that stand out in Harry’s mind include:

• Rockefeller Shoreline Stabilization Project, where he contributed to efforts aimed at protecting a eight-mile stretch of vulnerable coastline in Cameron Parish.
• Lake Boudreaux Living Mitigation Project, where Harry supported efforts to stabilize eroding shoreline using nature-based solutions—such as constructed terraces and marsh vegetation—to reduce storm surge and enhance habitat in a critical coastal zone.
• Northeast Turtle Bay Marsh Creation Project a full-circle moment for Harry, reuniting him professionally with NCRS Engineer Nicholas McCoy—now not as a student, but as a peer and partner in coastal restoration.

 

What It Means to Earn a Professional Engineer License

While in college, Harry often heard that earning a P.E. license would be an essential step in his engineering career—an expectation he took seriously from the start. Along the way, he found steady encouragement not only from early mentor Nicholas McCoy but especially from his supervisor, Daniel Dehon, and John D. Foret, Ph.D., Vice President of Environmental at Fenstermaker. Their guidance, paired with Harry’s own determination, helped him stay focused on the long-term goal of licensure even while managing the day-to-day demands of coastal project work.

Becoming a Professional Engineer has also brought a renewed sense of confidence for Harry, who reflects, “It feels like an acknowledgment that I’ve met the requirements to do this, and I can practice engineering.  I still have a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

 

The Next Step: Pursuing a Coastal Engineering Certificate

Now a licensed engineer, Harry is continuing to challenge himself professionally by pursuing a Coastal Engineering Certificate at the University of New Orleans—a program that delves into the technical complexities and evolving nature of coastal infrastructure.

“I still feel fairly fresh,” he admits. “I’ve learned a lot, and there’s still so much more to understand. Coastal engineering is a very dynamic, ever-changing field.”

Harry’s achievement reflects not only his personal dedication but also the strength of Fenstermaker’s mentorship culture and the collaborative spirit of our Coastal Engineering team. As he steps into this next chapter, we look forward to the continued impact of his work in safeguarding and restoring Louisiana’s precious coastal environments.

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