About Us

NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services (NOVA), formerly Owens Geotechnical, Inc. (OGI), was established in 2001 in Las Vegas, NV to provide geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, soils inspection and testing, construction materials testing and special inspections to the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas. Led by James Bristow, a creative materials engineer and Martin Jensen, one of Nevada’s most established and well-respected geotechnical engineers, NOVA will provide your organization with the highest quality of services required and expected. With 30+ years of knowledge and technical expertise, you will find the difference James, Martin and their team of professionals make to be significantly beneficial to your projects. NOVA’s recommendations have saved our clients time and money while also striving to minimize liabilities and promote an efficient construction process. NOVA’s professional staff of engineers, geologists, scientists, inspectors, technicians and specialty consultants has over 100 years of collective engineering and construction experience and 300 certifications and/or licenses.

  • Reporting & Scheduling Operation NOVA possesses the latest generation scheduling & planning software for all members' daily field and office assignments.
  • Latest Generation Communication Tools NOVA team members are provided with the latest generation communication tools which allow us to work rapidly, efficiently and economically.
  • Learning Experience Through Generations NOVA currently has three generations of Professional Engineers, engineers in training and engineering and science students. NOVA combines some of the most experienced professionals, many which have worked for prestigious national consulting firms and public agencies.
  • “Learners to Leaders” Internship Program James started in this program himself 12 years ago under Mr. Mark Owens. His success in the program is the reason that James continues to utilize the program as a vital part of NOVA’s staffing efforts.
  • Over 50 Clark County Certified Inspectors NOVA’s special inspectors and construction testing technicians have undergone a thorough certification process that will ensure that your project is built per plan and with quality materials. A thorough understanding of sampling techniques, testing procedures, verification procedures, and the application of various building materials is what differentiates a NOVA special inspector.
  • Promoting Team Work Trust can only be built through respectful interaction and cooperative teamwork between employees. By continuously engaging employees professionally and setting the bar high where it comes to interpersonal skills and communications standards, others are encouraged to do the same.
  • Consulting Meetings Lunch and Learn doesn’t have to be a lesson. What’s different about ours is that it’s unique to each project. Even though we all work together in the same industry, we’re on different teams and we might not know what everyone is working on all the time. These NOVA presentations help our outside team members to understand our work and our continuous efforts throughout the project process.
  • Green Our Planet 2017 - Jydstrup Elementary School Pergola NOVA partnered with Green Our Planet and invited NOVA employees to volunteer to build a 30-foot pergola for an outdoor teaching area to be used to teach students about gardening.
NOVA personnel have found that working for a locally owned firm is more rewarding. That’s why NOVA also reaches out to middle schools and high schools as part of our community outreach programs.