Felix R Alvarado began his career in 1987 as an instrumentation and controls engineer at an oil-fired power plant for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, where he supervised 14 instrumentation technicians. Two years later, he joined Fluor at the company’s Puerto Rico regional office with a goal to become a leader and successful project manager for Fluor’s U.S. mainland offices.

Over 38 years with Fluor, Alvarado has built an extensive career as a project and engineering manager, leading initiatives across the United States, Canada, Spain, Denmark and Chile. His experience spans pharmaceuticals, power and water utilities, advanced manufacturing, mining, metals and oil and gas sectors.

Alvarado earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico’s Mayaguez Campus. His father’s advice shaped his leadership approach: “You never give up,” he said. This principle of resilience has guided his ability to navigate complex challenges.

Fluor leadership entrusted Alvarado with his current role as General Manager of the Greenville office, one of the company’s most important locations.

Amy Chico earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University in 1995, where she was active in Chi Omega and the Student Society of Landscape Architecture. She joined HLA in May 1997 and has spent more than 28 years with the Charleston-based firm, advancing to vice president of landscape architecture and business development.

Chico has demonstrated sustained commitment to community service through leadership roles across multiple organizations. She served on the board of directors for Charleston Habitat for Humanity from July 2019 through July 2025 and continues her involvement through active service on the organization’s Land Committee and Family Selection Committee. She is a steering committee member of THRIVE: A Professional Women’s Group and joined the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce board in January 2025, furthering her dedication to economic empowerment and community development initiatives throughout the region.

Bob Fei leads Life Cycle Engineering Inc., a Charleston-based engineering firm with 520 employees worldwide. Fei earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from University of Southern California.

He began his career as an IT consultant with EY, where he developed expertise in building relationships and enabling organizational change. Fei now serves as president and CEO of Life Cycle Engineering, which became 100% employee-owned through an ESOP in November 2024.

A licensed professional engineer in South Carolina and other states, Fei serves on the Trident United Way board and previously chaired the organization. He embraces guiding principles established by Life Cycle Engineering’s founders: “Leave our customers better off than we found them” and “do the right thing the right way,” Fei said.

He defines success as helping individuals and organizations achieve their full potential with priorities of God, family, country and job. Outside work, the self-described introvert enjoys wakeboarding in Charleston’s waterways and attending track days in his MX-5.

Erick Fry leads Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, which employs more than 4,200 people and generates approximately $4 billion in annual revenue. According to a recent University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business study, NIWC Atlantic has a $10 billion total economic impact on the United States and a $2.1 billion economic impact in South Carolina, supporting 41,419 jobs and nearly $3.8 billion in labor income nationwide.

Fry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and a Master of Science in engineering management with a minor in systems engineering from the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

He received the Special Act Award in 2024 for work shaping and in 2025 for critical action team leadership. Fry began his career as a baker’s assistant in his family business, where he learned conflict management and how to handle competing priorities.

“Always ask: How are you making others better?” Fry said, describing the best advice he has received.

Kip Gearhart oversees regional operations for Weston & Sampson, an engineering firm with 1,050 employees worldwide and four South Carolina offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Conway. The company recently expanded through a merger with MBD Engineering, adding offices in Conway and Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Gearhart earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from The Citadel. He began his career at Davis & Floyd, where he developed his approach to teamwork and problem-solving. He currently serves on Weston & Sampson’s board of directors.

The firm has been recognized as the number one large employer in South Carolina’s Best Places to Work for 2024 and 2025. Gearhart identifies talent acquisition as the industry’s biggest challenge.

“Do the right thing — always,” Gearhart said. “Surround yourself with good people that will ask hard questions and challenge you.”

He defines success as influencing and creating an environment that is professional, challenging and fun while providing leadership that empowers people.

Jonathan Goerling brings more than 10 years of design and construction engineering experience to his role as partner at Summerville-based Hensley & Goerling Consulting Engineers, which he co-founded in November 2015. Goerling is a South Carolina licensed mechanical contractor with more than six years of installation and project management expertise. As an MEP engineer, his specialties encompass mechanical, plumbing and fire protection design across diverse building systems including HVAC direct expansion, chilled water, boiler heating, steam piping, plumbing and fire sprinkler design.

Goerling maintains professional engineering registrations in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and demonstrates proficiency with IMC, IPC, IFGC, NFPA, IBC, IEEC and ASHRAE codes and standards. His career progression includes mechanical engineering positions at RMF Engineering, BES Design/Build and Gross Plumbing, where he managed mechanical and plumbing construction projects spanning higher education, hospitals and industrial facilities. His technical expertise and multi-state licensure position him as a comprehensive resource in the mechanical engineering field.

Shawn Higbe serves as Vice President of McCall-Thomas Engineering Co., Inc., where he leads strategic initiatives for the 124-employee firm. Higbe holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University, where he served as President of Alpha Gamma Rho, the agricultural fraternity.

At McCall-Thomas, Higbe currently serves as Integrator for the company’s Entrepreneurial Operating System implementation, which began in December 2024 and rolled out company-wide in May 2025. This initiative unified the company’s divisions under a single operating structure, creating “One McT” through standardized processes and enhanced collaboration. The firm has expanded its services to include electrical construction and utility substation engineering while opening new offices in Moncks Corner and Lumberton, North Carolina.

Higbe has served on the NRECA TDEC System Operations and Controls Subcommittee since 2005 and received the Alumni of the Year honor from Alpha Gamma Rho at Clemson University. “True success isn’t just about reaching goals,” Higbe said. “It’s also about how you treat people along the way.”

He actively volunteers with his church youth programs, Harvest for Hope and supports the Samaritan House in Orangeburg.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Wake Forest University, Joseph ‘Mac’ Hodgson secured a role at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey as an analyst. He moved up the ranks there over the course of a decade, ultimately working as the director of equity research, where he covered over 20 bank stocks across the country.

In 2013, he stepped into the role of vice president at The GEL Group, where he served for early four years. Hodgson was then promoted to president and has now worked as the company’s chief executive officer for the last four years. Since joining the company’s executive team, he’s been instrumental in finding unique, innovative ways to meet client objectives, fulfill the company’s mission, and strengthen its foundation for expansion and upward growth.

Outside of work, Hodgson enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters. He also gives back to the community by coaching youth soccer.