Meet Our Leaders

Mr. Hughes’ experience has bridged both the Construction and Environmental industries, having provided technical consulting (environmental, construction materials testing, geotechnical engineering, code inspections & plan review, and Threshold/Special Inspection services) on many large and technically challenging projects. Mr. Hughes has over 34 years’ experience in the application and management of contaminated soil & groundwater remediation, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, process heat and mass transfer optimization, and potable and process water treatment.

Mr. Hughes also previously served as a Regional Construction Qualifier & Manager for hazardous waste remediation, underground and aboveground storage tank system installations and removals as well as general construction services. Bob enjoys activities with his wife and daughters, especially taking time to ski, windsurf and mountain bike (not all of his family enjoys the uphill portion of mountain biking.)

Mr. Willenborg’s technical experience over his 34-year career has been in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and inspection, and building code services, primarily in the southeast US. He has worked extensively in both the public and private sector, having executed and managed work on a wide range of projects including high-rise buildings, roads and bridges, large warehouse and distribution centers, and power generation facilities including nuclear power plants.

Mr. Willenborg has extensive knowledge of engineering and environmental issues that can impact due diligence, design, and construction as they relate to property development, site work, and buildings and infrastructure. Also, Mr. Willenborg has successfully led efforts to grow a building code services group in Georgia during the past few years that now claims significant market share supporting several municipalities. During the past 11 years at NOVA, Mr. Willenborg has helped lead a talented team of staff in Georgia and throughout the company which has grown organically over five-fold.

Steve has resided in metro Atlanta for his entire career since graduating from Georgia Tech. He enjoys spending his spare time with his wife and two daughters, who have led him into the worlds of club soccer and volleyball, lacrosse, and equestrian activities. And yes he now owns a horse.

As Vice President of Finance, Ms. Toth is responsible for development and execution of NOVA’s long-term growth strategy, financial business planning to include operating plans, budgets, forecasting and reporting, and accounting services. Passionate During her career, Ms. Toth has worked in various public and private sector organizations in finance leadership positions across manufacturing, supply chain management, engineering, services and building sectors.

Ms. Toth’s extensive finance leadership experience includes business improvement and change management, ERP and SaaS software implementations, developing and implementing financial services strategies, and mergers and acquisitions. In Kelli’s spare time you will find her watching her son and daughter play sports, watching sports on TV (Go Vikings!) or shopping.

As the Vice President of Human Resources, Shelly is responsible for leading and directing all human capital functions, including developing and leading strategic initiatives and programs to attract, retain, and engage a thriving workforce. She has over 20 years of experience in human resources and accounting leadership roles in domestic and international organizations and is a certified senior human resource professional. Throughout her career, Shelly has been known as a dedicated employee advocate and a trusted leader. In her spare time, Shelly enjoys following her sons’ sports teams, walking her dogs, and cheering for her hometown football team. Go Steelers!

Jonathan Caylor joined Nova Engineering & Environmental, Inc. as the Vice President of Safety in January 2020. This new role was created to increase an already robust safety culture and place improved focus on individual employee safety nationwide. Prior to joining the Nova team, Mr. Caylor was employed by the Ely Corporation, located in Cartersville, Georgia from August 2014 to January 2020 as Ely’s Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance. During this time, Mr. Caylor was instrumental in developing and growing the safety department to include a staff of 5 full-time safety professionals located across the southeast, serving in both the commercial construction and mining industries.

During Mr. Caylor’s tenure at The Ely Corporation, several objectives were met or exceeded, including the reduction of the company’s EMR from 1.26 to a record .69 for 2019 and zero lost time injuries for over 3 consecutive years. As a 14-year decorated Coast Guard Veteran, Jonathan has served in the military branch that serves our country in providing rescue, crisis management and front-line response for natural disasters, border threats, and citizen crisis situations. Few other roles provide the exposure to the aftermath of major accidents and injuries. The Coast Guard provides ongoing support and monitoring of safety and leads the way for many gold standard initiatives incorporated into civilian practice.

As the Vice President of Risk Management, Kyle is responsible for overseeing and implementing strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks across our organization. He plays a key role in ensuring that we maintain a strong risk management framework that aligns with our business objectives and core values.

Kyle received his Juris Doctor degree from Campbell University’s – Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Raleigh, North Carolina, and his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Iowa’s – Henry B. Tippie College of Business, Iowa City, IA. With a proven track record of success in previous roles, he brings a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of our company.

In his spare time you can find Kyle chasing birdies and eagles on the golf course, churning the pavement as he works his way towards that elusive six minute mile, rounding out his Air Jordan shoe collection and traveling to new destinations – foreign and domestic.

Audra has over 12 years of experience in driving innovative marketing strategies and campaigns. With a proven track record in brand management, digital marketing, and market research, Audra has successfully led cross-functional teams to achieve growth and engagement. Passionate about fostering strong client relationships and enhancing brand presence, Audra is dedicated to delivering exceptional results and staying ahead of industry trends.

When not in the office, Audra’s heart is in creating core memories full of adventure with her husband, toddler and pups in the great outdoors!

Since 1992, Marc has been providing geotechnical and construction materials testing services in the Georgia market. His key strengths are in the evaluation of foundation systems for buildings and bridges and in the evaluation of subgrade for pavements and slabs-on-grade. Marc’s field experience encompasses conventional soil, concrete, and asphalt testing techniques, as well as extensive evaluation and monitoring of various foundation systems including drilled piers, auger-cast piles, driven piles, rammed aggregate piers, micro-piles and conventional shallow foundations.

Marc has provided and managed construction materials testing and Special Inspection services for an extensive variety of projects ranging in magnitude from $1 million to over $300 million in total construction costs.

Jim has more than 39 years of Facilities Consulting and Testing experience and is NOVA’s Vice President and Facilities Service Line Leader. His expertise is in Facilities investigation, surveys, testing, remediation design and construction project administration. Facilities is a term NOVA uses to reference a property’s major building systems and components, which in general includes building Enclosure, roofing, waterproofing, structural, accessibility, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP), pavement and site flatwork and amenities. He has performed these services for school boards, government divisions, healthcare, financial industry, industrial, multi-family, telecommunications, property owners, property managers, developers and contractors.

Jim is also a licensed roofing contractor, wind/hurricane mitigation consultant and general contractor. Jim has more than 25 years of Property Condition Assessment (PCA) experience, having developed internal procedures for the execution of these services. Additionally, he has conducted many non-destructive and destructive forensic investigative procedures. These investigations have included utilizing specialized equipment such as; infrared, building pressurization fans and software, moisture intrusion racks, chambers and spray nozzles, borescopes, wind up-lift domes, ground penetrating radar and other related equipment.

Over the past 20 years, approximately 5% of Jim’s time has been dedicated to performing expert witness and related services. Jim has worked closely with RCI and has spearheaded the development of internal roof/building Enclosure inspector training and certification programs. Jim also headed up the national Roof and Building Enclosure Consulting & Testing program for Anheuser-Busch and has managed many portfolio property projects.

In his 38+ years as a staff, senior and principal engineer, Danny has performed geotechnical and construction inspection duties for over 500 new construction and existing projects in the southeastern United States. He has also worked on projects in Asia, the Caribbean and in Africa. During the past 17 years, Danny has overseen the design and/or construction of more than 100 excavation bracing (shoring) and drilled shaft projects in the southeast.

Danny has managed numerous geotechnical explorations for commercial buildings (low to high-rise), stadiums, industrial facilities, dams, harbor structures and water/wastewater treatment facilities. He has also worked in a wide variety of geological settings and performed and reviewed numerous geotechnical calculations for different soil conditions. Many projects have required direction and coordination of employees and subcontractors assigned to various field, laboratory and analytical tasks. Danny has successfully managed specific geotechnical projects in the U.S. and abroad which generated fees in excess of $100,000.

Since embarking on his career as a welder/fabricator in 1997, Chuck has become a Senior Certified Welding Inspector with the American Welding Society and achieved Level III certifications with the American Society of Nondestructive Testing. His work spans various industries, reflecting a skill set that is both versatile and crucial for the modern construction and manufacturing sectors.

Chuck’s ability to develop welding procedure specifications and performance qualifications, along with establishing nondestructive testing procedures, ensures that projects meet national standards. His active role in committee memberships highlights his influence in setting the guidelines that govern structural welding and nondestructive testing in the United States.

As an International Code Council Master of Special Inspection, Chuck’s expertise extends to soils, concrete, masonry, and wood framing inspections and testing. His oversight of projects demonstrates his adaptability, whether it’s inspecting strip footings or deep foundations, or ensuring the structural integrity of steel and wood-framed buildings. His commitment to public safety is further evidenced by his involvement in the inspection and testing of significant infrastructure projects, including roadways, bridges, sign structures, and large-scale amusement rides. Chuck’s career is a clear reflection of his ongoing commitment to excellence, safety, and the advancement of his field.

In addition to his extensive qualifications and experience in the field of steel fabrication, welding inspection and nondestructive testing, Chuck also plays a pivotal role as a business unit manager and senior project principal. His responsibilities further extend to the training and qualification of nondestructive testing personnel across the company. This role underscores his leadership abilities and his commitment to upholding high standards of practice within the industry. By ensuring that NOVA’s NDT personnel are well-trained and qualified, Chuck contributes to the overall quality and safety of the construction and manufacturing projects NOVA undertakes. His comprehensive approach to project management and personnel development is a testament to his dedication to excellence in the field.