Our Team
Principal Investigator – George Timothy Gross, Ph.D., RPA
Dr. Gross is Principal Investigator with over 30 years of experience working with prehistoric and historic cultural resources in California. He has directed archaeological and historical research projects, field surveys and inventories, test programs, and data recovery projects.
Dr. Gross received his BA in Anthropology (emphasis in Archaeology) from San Diego State University in 1976, his MA in Anthropology (emphasis in Archaeology; concentration in Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Studies) from Washington State University in 1980, and his PhD in Anthropology (emphasis in Archaeology; concentration in Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Studies) from Washington State University in 1987. He has written numerous academic and compliance reports. He has written articles and presented at conferences and for the public. He has taught field schools and classes to in the academic setting, as well as to members of the public.
Principal Investigator – Michelle Noble, MA, RPA
Ms. Noble is interim Principal Investigator with 16 years of experience working with prehistoric and historic cultural resources in California and Nevada. She has directed archaeological and historical research projects, field surveys and inventories, test programs, and data recovery projects throughout California and Nevada. Locations of work include, the Central Coast, northern redwood country, along the Trinity River, Sacramento and the Delta, the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains, the Central Valley, the Owens Valley and the whole of the Inyo/Mono region, Napa Valley, and Lahontan Basin.
Ms. Noble has directed graduate students and run laboratory and field work. She has worked extensively with a wide range of prehistoric and historic artifacts, with special expertise in paleobotanical analysis, ground and battered stone analysis, artifact photography, database creation and maintenance, and accessioning and cataloging of archaeological collections. Additionally, she has been trained and is experienced in museum property management as well as NAGPRA compliance and consultations. She has worked extensively with tribes throughout California and Nevada and has directed, conducted, and participated in a number of NAGPRA repatriations.
Ms. Noble received her BAs in Anthropology (concentration in Archaeology) and English Literature from California State University, Fresno in 2003, and her MA in Anthropology (concentration in Archaeology) from California State University, Sacramento in 2011. She has written numerous academic and compliance reports. She has written articles and presented at conferences and for the public. She has led field schools and taught classes to both fellow archaeologists at all levels, and members of the public.
Advisory Principal Investigator – Dr. Susan Hector, RPA
Dr. Susan Hector has over 40 years of experience with prehistoric, historic, and ethnographic cultural resources in southern California. In addition, she has substantial management experience beyond the cultural resources subject area. She served as the Director for San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Environmental Programs Manager for San Diego Gas & Electric Company and has taught anthropology and archaeology at San Diego City College. She is currently an advisory Principal Investigator at NWB Environmental Services.
Archaeologist – Michael Taylor
Mr. Taylor is an archaeologist and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. As a field archaeologist, Mr. Taylor has extensive experience in desert surface surveying, prehistoric and historic site excavation, archaeological testing, data recovery, artifact identification, archaeological monitoring, laboratory analysis, marine shell speciation, cultural resource management, and collaboration with Native American tribal members. As a member of an archaeology team, Mr. Taylor conducted field and lab work for the multiple award-winning restoration of California State Park's historic Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town San Diego. Mr. Taylor received his BA in Archaeological Anthropology from Columbia University in the City of New York.
Senior Project Manager – Josh Tansey, M.A. In Progress
Mr. Tansey is an archaeologist and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Tansey has ten years of archaeological field and laboratory experience as a project manager, field director, crew chief and crew member. His archaeological experience includes survey, excavation, and lab work involving all archaeological site types located in Southern California. In addition, he has chemical laboratory experience pertaining to strong acid digestion of soil and water samples for ethnobotanical and mass spectrometry analysis. He is certified as a City of San Diego archaeological technician and has completed the 40-hour HAZWOPER training; certificate #754912057. Mr. Tansey earned an Environmental Studies certificate and BA in Anthropology at San Diego State University. He is currently pursuing his MA in Cultural Resource Management at Adams State University.
Senior Archaeologist - Paige Kohler, M.A. in progress
Ms. Kohler is an archaeologist with experience in laboratory work, anthropological research, and historical research. Ms. Kohler manages NWB Environmental's Section 106 Review assignments for telecommunications projects. Ms. Kohler has contributed to multiple seasons at the Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project in Jordan, as well as the Jezreel Valley Regional Project at Legio in Israel. She was a paid intern for the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Israel, where she performed archaeological research, artifact cleaning, and sorting and cataloging of artifacts from local excavations. Ms. Kohler has worked on both solar and electrical projects as a cultural monitor. She received a BA in Anthropology (focus in Archaeology) and a BA in Religion from the University of California, San Diego, an MA in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is currently working on an MA in Anthropology from California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Kohler has traveled to eleven countries and visited their respective archaeological sites, in order to learn and broaden her perspective as a field archaeologist.
Field Archaeologist - Mark Abelon
Mr. Abelon is a field archaeologist with experience conducting survey, excavation, and monitoring throughout California. He has worked on many projects in cultural resource management, including solar projects in Riverside County and Monterey County, the California High-Speed Rail project in Tulare County, the Fire Management Program (FiRM) by SDG&E, gas line work for SoCal Gas, and telecommunications work for Verizon. Mr. Abelon has contributed to historical and prehistorical archaeology for Los Peñasquitos Ranch House as an instructional assistant for the Introduction to Archaeological Field Work class and Archaeological Artifact Analysis class at San Diego City College. Mr. Abelon was a history intern for the San Diego County Parks & Recreation at the Los Peñasquitos Ranch House, where he performed historic research, sorting, and cataloging of historic artifacts from the Ranch House's collection.
Field Archaeologist - Gerald Babin
Mr. Babin is a field archaeologist and a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served for two years in Ghana. He has experience in conducting surveys, monitoring, and excavation throughout California as well as parts of Nevada. His work in cultural resource management includes the Fire Management Program (FiRM) for SDG&E and telecommunications work for Verizon and Sprint, as well as various other projects. He is a graduate of San Diego State University. He took part in the 2013 UC Davis archaeological field school.
Field Archaeologist/Office Manager - Abigail Santana
Ms. Santana is a field archaeologist and office manager for NWB. She is a recent graduate of San Diego City College with an Associates degree for Anthropology, as well as, completed the Cultural Resource Management certificate program. Since working for NWB she has gained experience in monitoring and surveying culturally sensitive sites in San Diego county. She works along side Native American monitors to ensure the preservation of pre-historical and historical sites. Her future goals includes obtaining a BA in anthropology specializing in archaeology.
Remote Pilot in Command/Digital Content Producer - Trevor Neuenswander
Trevor Neuenswander is the head of the UAS division at NWB Environmental. Trevor holds a Private Pilot license and a Remote Pilot rating. He has a keen eye for detail and a steady hand on the controls. He has a BS in Film Production from San Diego State University and is pursuing his interest in aerial cinematography. Trevor has extensive professional experience as Pilot in Command (PIC) for small UAVs for commercial operations under the FAA Section 333 Exemption and FAA Part 107. He has successfully completed projects such as aerial videography, photography, survey, and in video editing.
