In this candid conversation, retired vice president of contracts and acquisitions Greg Palmer reflects on joining Fenstermaker in 1984 and navigating its growth. Greg recounts moving to Lafayette after hitting a career ceiling at Amoco and recalls the company’s small size, the mentorship of Mr. Fenstermaker and Mr. Curry, and the sense of camaraderie among employees. He shares anecdotes about founder C.H. as an original surveyor and strict boss—like the coffee pot outside C.H.’s office that quieted conversations when he emerged. Greg details how diversification efforts, including a $10 million Corps of Engineers mapping project, kept employees working during an oil‑and‑gas downturn. He emphasizes the enduring values of doing the right thing and maintaining a sense of family, noting that Fenstermaker has avoided layoffs by redeploying staff and caring for its people.