Meet Us

Market Leaders Set the Bar High 

Barge Waggoner focuses on our clients' markets and industries and delivers a broad spectrum of architecture and engineering services to those markets. Our market focus allows us to align with our clients and understand their needs. Our Business Unit Directors each bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in their specific market and lead our efforts to be the architecture and engineering firm of choice.  

Barney Fullington, PE

Water Services Business Unit Director

Barney Fullington combines 17 years of water services engineering experience and the business savvy it takes to work productively with municipalities and industries across the region. Barney leads the Water Services Business Unit in focusing on delivering the right water treatment, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and system design to Barge Waggoner clients.He holds a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana.

“We have the client focus and responsiveness of a small, regional firm, yet we have a staff of very experienced engineers, many of whom are from national engineering firms. This allows us to bring a greater level of technical expertise to our clients while still giving personal attention.”

Ed Mahoney, PE  

Industrial and Buildings Services Business Unit Director

Ed Mahoney has over 34 years of experience in delivering engineering solutions for industry, manufacturing, and construction companies. He leads the Industrial and Buildings Services Business Unit for projects ranging from office buildings to large manufacturing facilities. Ed holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He is a member of the Project Management Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Tennessee Economic Development Council.

“Our reputation for integrity, honesty, and ethics is earned as we continue our focus on client service, employee satisfaction, and profitable growth. We have the best people here that I have ever worked with, and we challenge them with stimulating and stable work environments.”

 

Matt Stovall, ASLA, LEED AP BD+C

 Land Resources Business Unit Director

Matt Stovall has 28 years of experience in leadership of projects encompassing civil engineering, landscape architecture, master planning, and other projects types that are our local clients’ reality. He understands the challenges faced by municipalities, developers, economic development entities, and commercial clients. That understanding makes Matt exceptionally qualified to lead the Land Resources Business Unit in support of these initiatives across Barge Waggoner. Matt holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He is a member of Rotary International and an alumni of Leadership Chattanooga.

 

"Barge Waggoner has a history and legacy of being involved with the local community and solving our clients' challenging problems. Our local involvement helps us to understand our clients' perspective and enables us to have a vested interest in their success. We achieve this through the overlap of our various design disciplines, which helps us to develop creative and sustainable solutions thereby creating wins for our clients." 

Executive Leadership Team 

Robert B. Higgins, Jr., PE

President/CEO

Bob Higgins is President/CEO of Barge Waggoner. He started with the firm in 1997 as an Engineering Intern immediately following graduation from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In 2009, he was named the new chief executive and took the reins of Barge Waggoner, steering the company into a new market place business strategy. A Professional Engineer, Bob not only understands the nuts and bolts of our industry, but also applies his strong visionary leadership in business and strategic development to the firm. He is an active community leader and serves on the board of the Brentwood YMCA and is an alumni of Leadership Franklin, Leadership Nashville, and Leadership Franklin, Kentucky.

R. Randolph Ferguson, PE

Executive Vice President

Chief Operating Officer

Randy Ferguson has over 30 years of diverse experience in engineering, client management, and organizational management positions. He joined Barge Waggoner as Chief Operating Officer in early 2012. In this role, he is responsible for delivery of the resources and technical services the company provides to its local, state, federal, and private sector clients. Randy holds a Master of Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee and is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states. He is a member of the Southeastern Storm Water Association and previously served as an officer, director, and committee chair for the Georgia state chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Paula E. Harris, CPSM

Executive Vice President

Chief Marketing Officer

Paula Harris started with Barge Waggoner in 2001 and guides the firm’s efforts in business development strategies, branding, positioning, and marketing for the firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science from Vanderbilt University and holds the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) designation. Paula is very active in the community and serves on multiple boards and committees, including the Rotary Club of Nashville, the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee, Franklin Tomorrow, and Leadership Franklin.

Cendy Dodd, CPA

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer

Cendy Dodd brings over 28 years of experience in corporate financial management and an understanding of the AE industry from the client perspective through her municipal experience as Interim City Manager. A Certified Public Accountant, Cendy joined Barge Waggoner in 2013 to take the reins of the firm’s financial management in support of strategic initiatives. Cendy holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Kentucky University and a Certificate of Management from Belmont University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a member of the Executive Committee for Camp Habitat - Habitat for Humanity of Simpson County, and has dedicated her time to community organizations that include Relay for Life, Boys & Girls Club, and First Baptist Church Africa Mission Team.