Season 2 of FUELED, titled Seeking CHF, opens with Chairman and CEO Bill Fenstermaker reflecting on the founding of the family firm and the character of his father, Charles Howard Fenstermaker Jr. Bill shares an intimate portrait of C.H. as a demanding yet visionary leader who insisted on excellence and invested in top-quality equipment to serve clients. He recounts growing up with a tough taskmaster who rarely spoke of his wartime service, yet whose work ethic and reputation in surveying laid the groundwork for a company that would thrive for more than 70 years. Bill also discusses his own journey—from joining the firm in 1971 to leading it through expansion—and highlights how the company’s knowledgeable employees and client-focused philosophy continue to energize him.
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Seeking CHF: A Conversation with Bill Fenstermaker
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- March 22, 2022
- Episode: 1
- 34 mins
Episode Summary
“C.H., Charles Fenstermaker, was a very tough taskmaster… he was very big on performing work at a very high level.”
“He was never one to scrimp on getting equipment that was necessary to perform the task.”
Meet the Leader Behind the Vision
William H. ‘Bill’ Fenstermaker has served as chairman and CEO of C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates since 1971. Under his leadership, the firm has grown from a regional surveying company into a diversified engineering, mapping, and environmental consulting organization with offices across Louisiana and Texas. Beyond Fenstermaker, Bill has chaired IberiaBank Corporation, served on numerous boards including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, and contributes to many civic and philanthropic organizations.
“Because of the way he was, he had a tremendous reputation in the field of surveying.”
Seeking CHF: Bill Fenstermaker on Leadership, Legacy, and Excellence
Episode Highlights
- Bill describes his father C.H. as a tough taskmaster who demanded high-quality work and never scrimped on equipment.
- He recalls that C.H.’s refusal to settle for anything short of perfection earned him a tremendous reputation in surveying.
- Bill shares that his father rarely discussed his wartime experiences despite serving in World War II and Korea, choosing instead to focus on his business and family.
- He discusses the importance of representing clients well and solving their problems, a standard that continues to guide the company.
- Bill reflects on his own tenure and expresses gratitude for the talented employees whose knowledge base keeps him excited about coming to work.
More from FUELED
Conversations across seasons—on infrastructure, leadership, and public impact.
Established in 1950, C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C. is a highly diversified, multi-disciplinary consulting firm. With a commitment to help our clients succeed, we specialize in surveying and mapping, engineering and environmental consulting.
Click here for complete information about the licensing boards governing our Survey and Engineering professionals.
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