From left, Lisa Speake, Anne Harbison Speake and Mike Hamzy represent the team behind Harbison International. Hamzy founded the firm after serving in the Lebanese special forces. Courtesy of Harbison International
Editor’s note: Harbison International is one of eight family-owned businesses that are honorees for the The Business Journal’s Family Owned Business Awards. Winners will be announced Aug. 19.
Harbison International, Inc., a Fresno-based engineering firm operating for nearly 43 years, has been selected as an honoree for The Business Journal’s 2026 Family Owned Business Awards.
Mike Hamzy founded the company in 1984 after fleeing war-torn Lebanon, where he worked as an architect, served as a Special Forces reserve commander and spent nearly a year as an architect for the Saudi royal family.
He settled in Fresno to join family, later earning a master’s in civil engineering from Fresno State.
Today, three generations run Harbison. Wife Anne serves as president, daughter Lisa Speake is vice president and granddaughters Sarah and Amelia Gillanders also work at the firm.
Harbison started with three employees and grew to 23 by 1997, using in-house software to resolve complex engineering problems. Today the firm employs eight, relying on advanced surveying technology and AI programming to complete projects faster with a leaner team.
The firm specializes in design and construction management for residential, commercial and public projects, including subdivisions and shopping centers.
Notable work includes Fresno’s Hampton Inn & Suites and the Piazza del Fiore shopping center, which required elevating a steeply sloped site to meet accessibility standards.
Harbison has survived the 1980s interest rate crunch and the 2008 crash by diversifying into land development. The firm also offers free services to community organizations, including the Fresno Rescue Mission, Boys & Girls Club, Rotary and Holy Family Episcopal Church.
“The most rewarding part is having family working with you,” Hamzy said.