Business Details
30 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Engineering Solutions in Fortuna, CA
Since 1996, Whitchurch Engineering has been dedicated to delivering buildable solutions for real-world challenges. Our team of licensed civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, along with architects and surveyors, brings decades of collective experience to projects ranging from residential construction to industrial decommissioning. Recognized as a California State and Federal Women-Owned Small Business, we combine technical expertise with a commitment to client collaboration. Our engineers hold licenses across California and Oregon, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. With offices in Fortuna and Eureka, we specialize in navigating complex permitting processes and stakeholder requirements.Our track record includes award-winning projects like the Humboldt Bay Power Plant Decommissioning, which showcased our ability to solve unprecedented engineering challenges. Four of our senior engineers boast over 25 years of experience each, establishing us as trusted advisors in both public and private sectors. We maintain rigorous quality standards through continuous staff development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Our client-centric approach prioritizes long-term relationships built on reliability and technical excellence. This philosophy has sustained our growth from a local firm to a regional leader in multidisciplinary engineering services.
Services
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Architectural Services
Decommissioning
Surveying
Permit Assistance
Inspections
Project Management
Land Development
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of combined engineering experience across civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines
- Our team includes four engineers with over 25 years of experience each
- We provide full-service engineering from initial design through permitting and construction oversight
- Our staff holds licenses in California and Oregon for cross-state project capabilities
- We maintain specialized expertise in navigating complex regulatory processes for industrial projects
Associations and certifications
- California State Women Owned Small Business
- Federal Women Owned Small Business
What people say
Award-winning projects
25+ years experience
Expert decommissioning work
Licensed professionals
Regulatory expertise
Services
Civil Engineering
Our civil engineering team specializes in utility infrastructure, land development, and stormwater management solutions. We provide grading plans, erosion control, and FEMA flood certification services for residential and industrial clients. With expertise in California's regulatory environment, we ensure projects meet all municipal and environmental requirements.
Structural Engineering
We offer comprehensive structural design and analysis for residential and commercial buildings. Our services include seismic retrofits, steel/concrete design, and industrial expansion projects. The team utilizes advanced modeling software to create safe, code-compliant structures that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Decommissioning
Specializing in industrial decommissioning, we manage complete facility shutdowns including contaminated material handling and site remediation. Our decade-long leadership in the Humboldt Bay Power Plant project demonstrates our capability to execute complex decommissioning tasks with environmental and regulatory compliance.
Surveying
With 32+ years of experience, our surveying department provides precise land measurements for residential and commercial developments. Services include boundary determination, topographic mapping, and construction layout to support accurate project planning and execution.
Permit Assistance
We streamline the permitting process through established relationships with California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, and local agencies. Our team prepares comprehensive documentation and coordinates reviews to ensure timely approvals for building, grading, and environmental permits.
People
Lisa Whitchurch
President/CEO
Lisa Whitchurch leads corporate operations at Whitchurch Engineering, setting strategic direction and vision. With over two decades of leadership experience, she ensures the company maintains its commitment to technical excellence and client satisfaction.
Leonard Whitchurch
Vice President/CFO
As Principal Engineer and Civil/Structural Engineering Manager, Leonard oversees the Humboldt Bay Power Plant decommissioning project. With a Master's degree and professional engineering license, he brings specialized expertise in complex civil engineering projects.
Jeff Laikam
Engineering Manager - Home Office
Jeff manages home office engineering staff and leads civil design projects. His technical expertise and project management skills ensure efficient execution of complex engineering solutions for commercial and industrial clients.
Zach Johnson
Engineering Manager - Branch Office
Zach oversees Eureka office operations and provides project management for civil design initiatives. His local knowledge and engineering experience contribute to successful project delivery across Northern California.
Questions
What engineering disciplines do you offer?
We provide civil, structural, mechanical, and architectural engineering services, along with surveying and permitting expertise.
Do you handle industrial decommissioning projects?
Yes, we specialize in facility decommissioning including contaminated site remediation and regulatory compliance management.
Are your engineers licensed in California?
All our engineers hold active California licenses with additional cross-state credentials where required.
How do you handle complex permitting processes?
Our team has established relationships with California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, and local agencies to streamline permit approvals.
What experience do you have with public infrastructure?
We've completed projects involving road design, utility infrastructure, and municipal facility upgrades across Northern California.
