Bob Pence, PE, BCEE
Chairman of the Board
Bob Pence has been Freese and Nichols Chairman since 2017, after serving as President and CEO for 15 years. He led the company through the difficult financial period that followed 9/11 and into a highly productive expansion that continues today. Under his leadership, Freese and Nichols added 12 offices, more than doubled its workforce and added service lines in urban planning, oil and gas, and coastal engineering. During this time, Freese and Nichols became the first engineering/architecture firm to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and also received national honors for ethics and for employee satisfaction.
Throughout his tenure, Bob has championed corporate support for professional education, membership in professional organizations, and volunteer service. He is a familiar presence in the community, having served in leadership roles for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Communities in Schools in Greater Tarrant County and numerous other organizations.
An accomplished environmental engineer, Bob began his career at Freese and Nichols in 1978. He is an Army veteran and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University.