NEW ORLEANS, LA — Global design and engineering firm, Stantec, has expanded its team of water and geotechnical engineers in the Gulf Region with two strategic hires in Louisiana. These additions strengthen the firm’s Water Practice and its ability to serve clients along the Gulf Coast and beyond.

This group of professionals allows Stantec to further expand and enhance the services it provides to clients and communities in the region. The new members of Stantec’s Gulf Water Practice include: Jeffrey Pena, PE, and Hilary Thibodeaux, PE.

Pena joins Stantec as a Principal and Senior Project Manager in the firm’s office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, focusing on water and wastewater engineering. He brings 22 years of experience in the engineering and management of complex waterway and flood control projects. Pena’s project management and design experience includes the management of multi-disciplinary and multi-firm teams.

Projects under his direction have included levees, pump stations, floodwalls, saltwater and flood control structures, coastal and erosion protection, bridge design, and construction management. Pena’s career has focused primarily on federal, state, and local clients throughout the Gulf region.

Thibodeaux also joins Stantec as a Principal and Senior Project Manager in water and wastewater engineering. Working out of the firm’s New Orleans, Louisiana, office, he brings 22 years of experience in engineering and managing erosion and sediment control projects. Thibodeaux has focused primarily on addressing coastal issues affecting state and levee districts.

His track record of success includes the design and construction management of dredging, flood gate structures, braced floodwalls, earthen levees, and wetland mitigation and restoration for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.