On this episode of Fueled, we sit down with State Representative Ryan Bourriaque, a sixth-generation native of Cameron Parish whose leadership has been forged on Louisiana’s fragile coastline. From LNG negotiations and parish-wide coastal master planning to statewide infrastructure reforms and disaster recovery, Ryan’s career reflects both concrete action and character-driven leadership.As chair of the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, he’s leading efforts to modernize Louisiana’s DOTD, tackle a $19 billion backlog in road and bridge projects, and integrate coastal resilience into the state’s economic future.We explore:* How parish-level projects shaped his statewide vision* The balance between economic growth and environmental protection* Lessons in negotiation, humility, and staying grounded in community* What it means to lead with the long view of future generationsThis episode is about more than politics—it’s about the persistence, resilience, and vision it takes to shape Louisiana’s future.

In this episode of Fueled, we sit down with Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet—a lifelong public servant whose career has spanned regional planning, disaster recovery, and now the helm of Lafayette Consolidated Government. Known for her pragmatic, data-driven leadership and her deep roots in Acadiana, Boulet is guiding Lafayette through a pivotal moment.From tackling long-overdue drainage upgrades to shaping bold economic development corridors, her administration is balancing near-term fixes with a long-view vision. At the center of her approach: transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the culture that makes Lafayette unique.Recorded inside the Acadiana Center for the Arts, this conversation explores the infrastructure priorities, leadership values, and future vision shaping one of Louisiana’s most dynamic communities.

In this episode of FUELED, we speak with Iberia Parish President Larry Richard—a leader whose career is grounded in service, collaboration, and a deep commitment to his community. Elected in 2016 after twelve years on the Iberia Parish Council, Richard brings a wide-ranging background to the role, including military service, a career in oil and gas, entrepreneurship, and regional economic development.Under his leadership, the parish has seen major infrastructure advancements, such as the Acadiana Regional Airport Access Road, vital drainage improvements, and roadway enhancements aimed at spurring economic growth. His administration also played a key role in securing one of the largest investments in parish history: the $1.1 billion First Solar manufacturing facility.We'll explore what fuels Richard’s leadership—from his infrastructure strategy to the values and vision shaping the future of Iberia Parish.

In this episode of FUELED: A Fenstermaker Podcast, we sit down with Mayor Jan-Scott Richard of Scott, Louisiana—a fourth-term mayor whose steady leadership has helped guide one of the state’s fastest-growing cities through a period of rapid, intentional development.Known for his quiet conviction and strategic mindset, Mayor Richard discusses the city’s approach to long-term planning, including key initiatives like the Apollo Road corridor, a nationally recognized Drainage Improvement Plan, and the buildout of critical infrastructure guided by Scott’s 2023 Master Plan.From navigating funding mechanisms to building public-private partnerships, Mayor Richard offers insight into what it takes to move complex projects from concept to concrete—while staying rooted in the values of community, identity, and livability.Part of our Season 5 theme, Leading Louisiana: Concrete & Character, this episode highlights the power of local leadership grounded in clarity, collaboration, and vision.

In the Season 5 premiere of FUELED: A Fenstermaker Podcast, we sit down with Mayor Charlotte Stemmans Clavier of Carencro, Louisiana—a leader whose dedication to community and thoughtful approach to growth is helping guide the city through its next chapter.Since taking office in 2022, Mayor Clavier has prioritized both infrastructure and engagement, leading Carencro’s first-ever Comprehensive Plan—Carencro 2.0—with a focus on public input, smart planning, and long-term livability. In this conversation, she reflects on the practical challenges of leadership, the importance of trust in local government, and the values that shape her day-to-day decisions.This episode kicks off our new season theme: Leading Louisiana: Concrete & Character, exploring the individuals whose work strengthens our communities from the ground up.

In this special episode of FUELED | A Fenstermaker Podcast, we spotlight three outstanding team members—Bryce Teekell, Collin Theriot, and Joe Broussard—who recently earned their Certified Survey Technician (CST) Level I certification.Listen as they share their unique perspectives:* Joe Broussard reflects on how certification validates his decades of experience in the field.* Bryce Teekell discusses the CST exam as the first step toward becoming a licensed surveyor.* Collin Theriot shares his excitement about gaining new insights in surveying with his background as a landman.

Andy Sellers joined Fenstermaker's Lafayette Engineering group in December 2006 and gained professional engineering licensure over a decade ago in 2013. Andy specializes in civil projects for municipal and parish clients.  Currently serving as the Engineer for the City of Carencro, Mr. Sellers manages client relations, engineering services, and infrastructure projects. His responsibilities span the design and enhancement of drainage systems, floodplain management, roadway design, utility design, site design, construction administration, and plan review for commercial and residential developments. In his capacity as a Certified Floodplain Manager, Andy collaborates closely with the City of Carencro’s planning department to oversee and administer floodplains within the city limits. He plays a pivotal role in the annual recertification of the City's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, actively contributing to secure funding for flood mitigation projects through various grant programs, and serving as agency coordinator for these initiatives. 

Dustin Guidry is a licensed professional engineer in Louisiana with extensive expertise in civil engineering and construction management. Dustin began his career with Fenstermaker in December 2012 as a construction inspector. In this role, Dustin collaborated closely with contractors and engineers in the field, ensuring projects adhered to plans and specifications. Evolving within the company, Dustin transitioned into the role of a CADD Technician, where he collaborated with engineers and surveyors to generate construction plans, survey plats, and project exhibits. With a solid foundation in Civil Engineering, he furthered his career as a project engineer, shouldering responsibilities for Construction Administration. 

Nicholas Castille joined Fenstermaker in November 2019 after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He then gained his professional engineering licensure three-and-a-half years later in 2023. As a civil engineer, Nick brings his expertise in design, planning, and hydraulic modeling to our Engineering division. Nick actively contributes to roadway plan preparation, horizontal geometric design, inspections, design of geotechnical features, and the implementation of open and closed drainage systems. His primary focus and expertise lie in * Drainage Design* Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling & Reporting* Roadway Design and Plan Production* Civil Site Design* Construction Administration

Anna Doucet began her career at Fenstermaker early in 2015. Subsequently gaining her licensure 4 years later in 2019, Anna is now a Professional Engineer specializing in roadway design, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and project management within water resource and transportation sectors.  In her current role, Anna oversees civil design projects, strategically managing multi-million-dollar projects for both public and private sectors. She has collaborated with various agencies, including LADOTD, FEMA, GOHSEP, along with local municipalities, showcasing her coordination skills in diverse project environments. Anna has successfully brought many water resources projects to completion, incorporating numerical hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for floodplain mapping, FEMA No-Rise, and FEMA LOMR. Her utilization of numerical modeling extends to assessing future conditions of drainage basins and formulating cost-effective projects that enhance individual watersheds. 

Ian Trahan, P.E. is a Senior Engineer, he joined Fenstermaker in April 2021. Ian obtained his professional licensure first in Illinois in 2002, and then 2 years later became licensed in Louisiana, almost 20 years ago now.   In his prior role, Ian served the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) as Program Manager for their involvement in the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI).   There, Mr. Trahan oversaw the DOTD/LWI Statewide Modeling Program, managing four out of seven modeling teams across the State of Louisiana. His active participation in various LWI Technical Advisory Groups, representation of DOTD on the LWI Working Group, and involvement in the LWI Technical Design and Quality (TDQ) Team underscore his dedication to advancing the engineering field.  Ian’s Areas of Expertise include: * Project Management * Roadway Design * 3D Roadway Modeling * Residential and Commercial Development * Costing for USACE * Construction Management * Stormwater Management and Planning * Hydraulic and Hydrologic Design and Analysis * Mentoring Young Professionals. 

Dr. Ehab Meselhe is a Professional Engineer and Professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University. Born in Egypt, in a small town at the tip of the Nile Delta, he spent the first part of his career studying the Nile basin. Ehab left Egypt to study Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa, there earning his master’s and PhD.It was the University of Louisiana at Lafayette that brought Ehab to Louisiana, where he was a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering for 15 years. One of Louisiana’s leading experts on coastal systems, Dr. Meselhe has nearly 30 years of experience researching coastal wetland hydrology, sediment transport, and computer modeling of coastal wetland systems. Ehab holds particular interest in the integration of physical, ecological, and social processes for inland watersheds’ riverine, deltaic, and coastal systems.  Serving as Louisiana’s technical lead for the 2013 Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study, Ehab’s work in predictive modeling has also contributed heavily to Louisiana’s $50 billion 2017 Coastal Master Plan. Ehab has worked as an educator, researcher, and practitioner with extensive experience working with academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. Ehab strongly believes that the next generation of scientists and engineers need to be taught to collaborate and seek public input in order to develop solutions for large-scale issues related to local and global coastal land loss.  

Billy Williamson is the Statewide Flood and Watershed Evaluation Programs Administrator with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Prior to his near 9-year tenure with LADOTD, Billy worked within the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources as a Professional Engineer upon graduation from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.  In his current role with LADOTD, Mr. Billy Williamson provides management and oversight for the Watershed and Flood Protection Programs in the Public Works and Water Resources Division, including the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI), the Statewide Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling and Statewide Flood Control Programs, the Roadway Flood Mitigation Program, and the Federal Highway Administration’s formula program, Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost Saving Transportation (or PROTECT) which seeks to enable the resiliency of our surface transportation infrastructure.   Billy often speaks to the ongoing efforts of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, presenting regularly at American Society of Civil Engineers seminars and conferences, along with providing detailed project progress updates to local stakeholder groups and the public.   A recent recipient of the Louisiana Engineering Society’s Andrew M. Lockett Medal, Billy was recognized in February of 2022 for his distinguished service as an engineer, acting in the best interest of the Public even in the absence of compensation. Having taken great care to contribute to the civic well-being of his community, surrounding Parishes, and the State of Louisiana, Billy serves as an inspiration to other engineers, that they may follow his lead in this exceptional service. 

Austin Doucet began his career at Fenstermaker in 2017 as a Civil Engineering Student Intern shortly before his graduation in 2019 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. For the duration of his now 6-year tenure with our firm, and through his current position as an Engineer Intern, Austin has been working toward obtaining his Professional Engineering Licensure with mentorship and supervision from Engineering Director, Jeanne Hornsby, who leads our Water Resources team. Austin has been involved in reviewing and developing flood study analyses, the designing of open channel and subsurface drainage systems, and has assisted and managed the development of hydrologic and hydraulic numerical models as part of Fenstermaker project teams.  Austin has worked heavily in dealing with Calcasieu Parish Regional Watershed Modeling and Planning. He has played a vital role in the ongoing development of a Stormwater Master Plan for Calcasieu Parish, his main responsibilities including that of data collection and inventory, hydrologic and hydraulic numerical modeling, the creation of a Drainage Infrastructure Watershed Report Card, along with the effective implementation and monitoring of the masterplan itself.  Austin has routinely assisted in the development of hydrologic and hydraulic models which are in turn used to analyze the current and future flood risk and vulnerability of communities. Austin and his colleagues are also skilled in making determinations as to the effectiveness of proposed water resources projects.  It is Austin’s excellent professional and technical skills that have afforded him the opportunity to serve as Region 4’s Program Manager for our current work as part of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, the topic of our podcast this season.  

Bradford Millett is a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the state of Louisiana with a decade of tenure here at Fenstermaker. Bradford’s career at Fenstermaker began in 2013 when she joined us as an Engineer Intern, coinciding with her graduation from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Serving in a dual capacity as both engineer and surveyor, Bradford combines her training in civil engineering with her exceptional proficiency in survey work to engage in cross-disciplinary projects such as the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, the topic of this season of FUELED, our corporate podcast.  As a Professional Land Surveyor and Engineer Intern at Fenstermaker, Bradford is responsible for completing and overseeing all survey-related services for our Engineering Division and Municipal Clientele. She specializes in topographic, boundary, construction and as-built surveys, watershed surveys, project control establishment, along with subdivision, topographic, right of way, and servitude plats, LA DOTD right of way maps and ALTA surveys. Throughout her ten-year history with our firm, Bradford has been involved in a broad swath of projects ranging from road construction and water treatment facility design to surveying dredging operations, diversion canals and channel realignments. Perhaps most relevant to today’s conversation surrounding the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, Bradford has been heavily involved in Fenstermaker’s efforts toward Calcasieu Parish’s Regional Watershed Modeling and Planning. In this capacity, she has been responsible for managing survey field crews and processing field data along with supporting documentation related to hydraulic structure analyses, assessing impacts on proposed drainage improvement activities.  Bradford is one of Louisiana’s six women currently licensed and practicing as a professional land surveyor. Her efforts and accomplishments to-date make her uniquely qualified to speak on behalf of the work being done for the Louisiana Watershed Initiative.

Jonathan Breaux began his surveying career at Fenstermaker as a Rodman in 2007, now, almost 16 years later, Jonathan is a Party Chief III, having worked his way through the ranks of our field operations. As a survey party chief, Jonathan coordinates and supervises the activities of his crew, including instrumentmen and rodmen, as directed by project managers and under the supervision of our Field Operations manager along with a Licensed Professional Surveyor. Throughout the years, Jonathan has exhibited excellent time management, conflict resolution, and teamwork skills, has held himself and crew to a high standard of operation, demonstrating accountability, independence, and professionalism as our company representative on job sites.  

John Fenstermaker is a Registered Professional Land Surveyor, Vice Chairman and Vice President of Business Development here at Fenstermaker. John leads our Business Development Team, managing the promotion of our firm’s services. While in his former role as Vice President of the Survey & Mapping Division, John built a vast network of contacts consisting of both long-time and new clients. His experience with the company includes project planning, quality assurance and quality control, data acquisition and management.Under John’s leadership, our firm’s Survey & Mapping Division grew into what is now one of the most respected surveying firms in the country. John and his team developed new workflows and field communications, ensuring the company’s position at the forefront of technology. With a focus on client satisfaction and technology integration, John has led some of the most efficient, well-equipped, and experienced teams in the industry.John is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, the Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen, the Permian Basin Landmen's Association, the Pipeliners Association of Houston, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Association of Drilling Engineers, the Louisiana Gas Association, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, the ADAM Energy Forum, and the International Right of Way Association.Thank you, John, for participating in this Season of FUELED, which we are calling ‘Seeking CHF,’ an attempt to gain insight into our origins as a company, our founder, Charles Howard Fenstermaker, Jr., and of course, your role in the development and trajectory of our family business to where we are today—over 70 years in the making! 

Greg Palmer, prior to his retirement late in 2020, served Fenstermaker as Vice President of Contracts and Acquisitions. Greg was a key member of our executive team and was heavily involved in setting the company’s strategic direction. In his VP role, Greg oversaw the details of all corporate contracts including negotiations, management, and closeout for our diverse client base comprised of state and local agencies and governments along with private industry. Greg’s tenure with Fenstermaker began in 1984, and from there, he dedicated over 3 decades of his life to our firm. Greg was a driving force in the growth and diversification of the company. He certainly played a vital role in the development of our firm's work ethic, culture, and values.

R.J. Boutte, prior to his retirement late in 2020, served in a vital leadership capacity here at Fenstermaker as Senior Vice President, overseeing quality and safety programming while working closely with all management teams. In a prior role as Sr. VP of Operations, he coordinated daily activities in support of the policies, goals, and corporate vision established by our CEO and President. He was responsible for the development, promotion, and financial forecasting of the company's products and services. R.J. ensured that all of our operations were carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws. His leadership effectively maximized resources and the timely delivery of project objectives.During his tenure of almost 50 years, R.J. contributed substantially to the formulation of our Safety and Quality Control Programs. Under his direction, and as a result of his effectual management, Fenstermaker experienced tremendous growth in size, expertise, and revenue.

Mark Fenstermaker has been employed within the family company since 1985 and has served in various capacities since joining the team. He is currently serving as our Director of Corporate Resources. Mark is heavily involved in all new capital expenditures, and supervises the construction, operation, and maintenance of all buildings as well as supervising the purchase and maintenance of all vehicles and equipment. Mark is also involved in the in-house design and fabrication of specialized equipment for field operations.