Carlos Femmer is a veteran leader in geospatial data acquisition with over 25 years of experience supporting infrastructure development across several sectors. He currently oversees HDR’s Data Acquisition Cross Sector, directing multi-disciplinary teams that have surveyed tens of thousands of miles of transmission lines, pipelines, railways, bridges, roadways, dams, and spillways.
Previously, Carlos served as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and President of John Chance Land Surveys (FUGRO), where he led land-survey and airborne divisions, drove research and development initiatives, and contributed to the successful deployment of the world’s first commercial autonomous underwater vehicle. His expertise spans helicopter-mounted LiDAR mapping, advanced UAS integration, and the use of hydrographic and geophysical systems to deliver high-resolution data with minimal disruption to operations.
With HDR, he has led several precedent-setting drone missions, including the first commercial flights authorized at the Golden Gate Bridge, inside the Grand Canyon, and at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. He also oversaw the development of a comprehensive drone program for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. Carlos is recognized for his proficiency in navigating complex airspace regulations, having secured SGI-COAs for more than 20 DOD installations and executed numerous operations at high-security facilities.
