Business Details
30 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Engineering Solutions in Fortuna, CA
Since 1996, Whitchurch Engineering has dedicated itself to delivering buildable solutions for real-world challenges. Our mission centers on providing high-quality engineering services that foster long-term client relationships. Headquartered in Fortuna with an office in Eureka, California, we operate as a certified Women-Owned Small Business at both state and federal levels. Our multidisciplinary team includes licensed civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, an architect, a land surveyor, and CAD design professionals. With expertise in residential, commercial, and industrial projects, we specialize in navigating complex regulatory environments across local, state, and federal agencies. Four of our engineers boast over 25 years of combined experience, enabling us to tackle intricate engineering problems while balancing stakeholder requirements.Our track record includes landmark projects like the Humboldt Bay Power Plant Decommissioning, which earned recognition from Engineering News-Record. We maintain a client-focused approach, emphasizing transparency, technical excellence, and compliance with industry standards. Our commitment to innovation is demonstrated through first-of-kind engineering solutions for decommissioning projects and sustainable infrastructure development. By integrating civil, structural, and mechanical engineering disciplines, we deliver comprehensive project oversight from initial design to final implementation.
Services
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Architectural Services
Decommissioning
Surveying
Permit Assistance
Inspections
Project Management
Construction Oversight
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of experience in California civil engineering projects
- Our team includes engineers with over 25 years of individual expertise
- Certified Women-Owned Small Business with state and federal recognition
- Proven success in complex decommissioning and regulatory compliance projects
- Multidisciplinary team handles complete project lifecycle from design to implementation
Services
Civil Engineering
Our civil engineering team specializes in utility infrastructure, land development, and flood elevation solutions. We provide grading plans, erosion control, and septic system designs for residential and industrial clients. With extensive experience in California regulatory requirements, we ensure projects meet all municipal and environmental standards through comprehensive FEMA certifications and SWPPP compliance.
Structural Engineering
We design structural systems using concrete, steel, and wood materials for commercial and residential applications. Our expertise includes seismic retrofits, moment frame analysis, and industrial expansion projects. The team performs lateral structural analysis and finite element modeling to ensure safety and code compliance for new constructions and existing building modifications across Northern California.
Decommissioning
Specializing in industrial decommissioning, we manage complete facility shutdowns including contaminated material handling and regulatory compliance. Our decade-long leadership in the Humboldt Bay Power Plant project demonstrates our capability in complex nuclear facility decommissioning, including earthquake fault line considerations and innovative engineering solutions for buried structures.
Permit Assistance
We navigate California's complex permitting landscape with expertise in Coastal Commission, Caltrans, and Army Corps of Engineers requirements. Our team secures building and grading permits while ensuring compliance with local agency regulations. This service streamlines project approvals through pre-application consultations and complete submittal package preparation.
Surveying
With 32+ years of field experience, our surveying department delivers precise land measurements for residential and commercial developments. Services include boundary determination, topographic mapping, and construction staking. We maintain detailed records of survey control points to ensure accuracy in all engineering designs and regulatory submissions.
People
Lisa Whitchurch
President/CEO
Lisa Whitchurch leads corporate operations at Whitchurch Engineering, setting strategic direction and vision. With over 25 years in engineering management, she ensures the company maintains its commitment to quality service and client relationships while overseeing day-to-day business operations.
Leonard Whitchurch
Vice President/CFO
Leonard Whitchurch serves as Principal Engineer and Civil/Structural Engineering Manager for the Humboldt Bay Power Plant Decommissioning Project. With a Master's degree and professional engineering license, he oversees technical operations and financial management for the company's largest initiatives.
Jeff Laikam
Engineering Manager - Home Office
Jeff Laikam manages home office engineering staff and leads civil design projects. As a licensed professional engineer, he coordinates technical teams and ensures project deliverables meet regulatory standards while maintaining quality control across all home office operations.
Zach Johnson
Engineering Manager - Branch Office
Zach Johnson oversees engineering operations at the Eureka office. He manages local project teams and provides technical leadership for civil design initiatives. His role includes client coordination and ensuring branch office compliance with company-wide engineering standards.
Questions
What engineering disciplines do you offer?
We provide civil, structural, mechanical, and architectural engineering services, along with surveying, decommissioning expertise, and complete project management solutions.
How experienced is your team with California regulations?
Our engineers have 25+ years of combined experience navigating California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, and local agency requirements for construction and environmental compliance.
Are you certified as a women-owned business?
Yes, we are recognized as a California State and Federal Women-Owned Small Business with proven success in complex engineering projects.
What's your decommissioning project experience?
We led the 10-year Humboldt Bay Power Plant decommissioning, including unique solutions for reactor structures located on earthquake fault lines.
Do you handle complete project lifecycles?
Yes, from initial design and permitting through construction oversight and final implementation for residential, commercial, and industrial clients.
