Meet the Team

Role: Project Scientist
Experience: 32 years

Mr. Lawrence has coordinated underground storage tank (UST) projects to facilitate the closure of commercial and industrial fueling systems.  Mr. Lawrence has designed and implemented investigative programs and is proficient in the collection and evaluation of environmental samples using a variety of industry standard and site-specific methodologies.  Mr. Lawrence is accomplished in many types of field related electronic instruments including field gas chromatographs, XRF field survey instrumentation, photo-ionization detectors, pressure transducers, data loggers, and other electronic instrumentation and has over four years of onsite experience at the Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Facility in Piketon, Ohio.

Mr. Lawrence is an accomplished AutoCAD operator, producing graphics for reports and visual presentations.  Mr. Lawrence routinely designs graphics by importing and locating sample points and analytical data directly from the Cox-Colvin & Associates environmental database.  Mr. Lawrence also prepares graphics by importing GIS data and topographic information from publicly available sources such as the U.S. Geological Survey, county, and local agencies, as well as geo-referenced aerial photographic data from site-specific fly overs.

Role: Project Scientist
Experience: 4 years

Mr. Austin Johnson is a Staff Scientist with Cox-Colvin and has been involved with many environmental investigations. His experience includes the installation, development, and sampling of groundwater monitor wells; logging the lithology of boreholes; and collecting soil samples. He has conducted investigations regarding the extent of contamination using state of the art methods such as Membrane Interface Hydraulic Profiling Tool (MIHPT). In addition, Mr. Johnson has conducted several Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments for property transfer and all appropriate inquiry (AAI) requirements. He has scheduled breathing zone screenings for industrial clients and has prepared and reviewed technical reports.

Role: Staff Scientist
Experience: 9

Mr. Gossard has been involved with a wide range of projects in the field and in a management position. He has extensive experience leading field crews and overseeing subcontractors. He has managed RCRA CMI and Closure groundwater monitoring projects and Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR) investigations. Other projects he has assisted with in the field include Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (VAP); RCRA Solid Waste hazard classification and sampling; contamination investigation; production well subsurface investigation; and facility wastewater system sampling.

Mr. Gossard’s field experience includes the installation, development, sampling, and abandonment of groundwater monitoring wells; installing and sampling temporary well points in direct push soil borings; soil sampling and soil logging in borings using direct push, roto sonic, and hollow stem auger drilling; and collecting sub-slab, soil vapor, indoor air, and ambient air samples in vapor intrusion investigations. Mr. Gossard also has extensive experience in collecting samples in a variety of challenging environments such as river water sampling on watercraft, soil and groundwater sampling in secondary tank containment units, and effluent sampling in IDLH conditions. Additionally, Mr. Gossard has utilized multiple specialty sampling procedures for collecting compound specific samples such as PFAS, Dioxin, and low level Mercury.

Mr. Gossard has previous experience with the design, installation, development and testing of groundwater monitoring wells and production wells; borehole lithology logging; borehole geophysical interpretation; soil vapor sampling; and managing groundwater sampling events and wellfield exploration drilling projects in Arizona.

Role: Lead Scientist
Experience: 8 years

Mr. Creal has served on a wide variety of projects in varying industries in both field assistance and project management roles. He provides vital leadership while managing field personnel and overseeing subcontractors. He has played a significant role in managing and overseeing activities associated with the removal of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) in both Ohio and Kentucky and at Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (VAP) sites. Colton’s work has been essential in these sites receiving No Further Action (NFA) status letters.

Mr. Creal’s field experience includes the installation, development, and sampling of groundwater monitor wells; conducting soil, sediment, and surface water sampling; and collecting sub-slab, indoor air, ambient air, and soil vapor samples as part of vapor intrusion investigations and studies. Additionally, Mr. Creal has conducted hazardous material sampling in level A PPE that included the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus because of potential IDLH conditions. Mr. Creal takes pride in assisting clients to ensure compliance with federal, state and local and environmental laws and regulations. He has a good working knowledge of CERCLA, RCRA, Ohio VAP, and Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR) programs. Recent RCRA experience includes RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) and Corrective Measures Study/Implementation (CMS/CMI) projects, as well as leading the semi-annual groundwater sampling program at several closed RCRA units at a central Ohio manufacturing plant.

Furthermore, Mr. Creal is well aware of the special requirements for PFAS sampling of groundwater, having conducted controlled experiments regarding these sampling techniques. As a result, he has successfully collected PFAS samples of groundwater for clients using the techniques learned during the experiments.

Role: Principal Scientist
Experience: 43 years

Mr. Cox is a principal and co-founder of Cox-Colvin & Associates. Much of his experience involves directing major environmental investigation and remediation projects conducted under CERCLA, RCRA, and state Voluntary Programs. Mr. Cox provides technical oversight to project teams, assists in developing investigation and remediation strategies, assesses and evaluates hydrogeologic information, prepares proposals and reports, and develops and implements project management strategies.

Mr. Cox has successfully proposed, negotiated, and implemented hydrogeologic investigations and remediations at various US EPA Regions III, V, and VII sites. His experience includes sites affected by VOCs, SVOCs, DNAPLs, LNAPLs, metals, and petroleum products. Throughout his career, Mr. Cox has consistently supplied clients with technically sound, cost-effective solutions to their environmental needs.

In addition to working as a hydrogeologist, Mr. Cox has also developed various software products, including Data Inspector, an internet-based database application used to manage, retrieve, evaluate, and present all forms of environmental project-related data. He also designed and patented the Vapor Pin(r), a sub-slab soil gas sampling device used in vapor intrusion studies.

Mr. Cox is a founding member of The Association of Vapor Intrusion Professionals (AVIP). The organization aims to establish a community of Vapor Intrusion professionals dedicated to advancing the industry, exploring new technologies, and sharing knowledge and science related to Vapor Intrusion (VI). AVIP will also be a central resource for technology, guidance, standards, credentialing, and best practices.

Role: Director of Sales & Marketing, Office Manager
Experience: 38 years

Laurie Chilcote serves as Office Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing for Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc., and as Vice President of Vapor Pin Enterprises, Inc. With nearly four decades of experience in the environmental consulting industry, she is recognized for her leadership in business operations, strategic business development, and the education and promotion of vapor intrusion technologies throughout the United States and internationally.

Laurie plays a pivotal role in the continued success of both organizations by providing leadership across business operations, human resources, contract administration, financial management, marketing, and customer relations. Her ability to connect technical expertise with practical business solutions has helped strengthen client relationships, expand market presence, and support the growth of Vapor Pin® as a trusted technology within the environmental consulting industry.

As Vice President of Vapor Pin Enterprises, Laurie directs domestic and international sales and marketing initiatives, distributor partnerships, website development, customer engagement, and educational outreach. Over the past decade, she has delivered hundreds of presentations, webinars, and technical training sessions for consultants, regulators, developers, and industry professionals, helping advance the understanding and implementation of vapor intrusion investigation and Vapor Pin® technology. She also leads the company’s marketing communications, including technical newsletters and educational content developed in collaboration with Cox-Colvin’s team of professionals.

At Cox-Colvin, Laurie oversees the firm’s day-to-day business operations, including human resources, accounts payable and receivable, contract administration, retirement plan management, supplier compliance programs, and business systems. She also supports environmental data management and plays an integral role in the firm’s business development efforts, helping position Cox-Colvin as a respected leader in environmental consulting.

Laurie began her environmental consulting career in 1987 with Geraghty & Miller, Inc., where she served as Regional Business Development Manager. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to advancing education within the environmental profession by sharing practical knowledge and fostering collaboration across the vapor intrusion community.

She is a founding member of the Association of Vapor Intrusion Professionals (AVIP) and formerly served on the Board of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST). Through her leadership, presentations, and industry involvement, Laurie has helped educate thousands of environmental professionals and has become a trusted resource for organizations seeking practical guidance on vapor intrusion technologies and their implementation.

Role: Scientist
Experience: 3

Mr. Rengel is proficient in the collection of environmental samples and conducting on-site measurements using various instruments and equipment for data collection and analysis.  Mr. Rengel has experience with environmental drilling and adherence to health and safety guidelines during field operations to mitigate the risk of injury from equipment and environmental exposures on the worksite.

Mr. Rengel has been trained on hazardous waste management laws and regulations to complying with the myriad of hazardous waste regulations including how to recognize hazardous wastes and how to manage waste correctly on site.

Role: Lead Scientist
Experience: 21

Peggy Stonier has more than 20 years of environmental consulting experience with a focus on providing assessment and remedial support for industrial and petroleum clients. Based in northeast Ohio, Peggy has wide-ranging technical experience in the areas of initial environmental assessments; surficial/subsurface soil, stream, and groundwater investigations; and remedial action planning and implementation under various State regulatory programs.

Peggy has conducted and managed Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and Phase II ESAs in more than 35 states as well as Canada. Peggy has pervasive knowledge and experience with the Ohio Voluntary Action Program (VAP) and has been a VAP Certified Professional since 2017.

Ms. Stonier has additional qualified knowledge and experience under various Federal and State regulatory programs including Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action; Michigan Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Cleanup Program and Baseline Environmental Assessments; Indiana Department of Environmental Management State Cleanup and Voluntary Remediation Program, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Remediation and Redevelopment Program; and underground storage tank corrective action under the Ohio Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation program.

Role: Lead Scientist
Experience: 37 years

Doug Hunter is a Professional Geologist with over 35 years of experience as a consulting hydrogeologist in the management, design and implementation of subsurface investigations related to groundwater resource development and planning, and the delineation and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater.   Doug has a broad range of experience with emphasis in the  exploration, development and management of groundwater resources, aquifer characterization and yield determinations, well and wellfield performance evaluations, and the design and testing of both vertical wells and radial collector wells.

Projects have included well field siting and expansion studies for both vertical and horizontal radial collector wells, well efficiency and capacity determinations, well  rehabilitation and maintenance evaluations, and groundwater contamination characterization and remediation for private, municipal, utility, and industrial clients.   Doug provides technical oversight to project teams, assists in developing groundwater investigation and characterization strategies, assesses and evaluates hydrogeologic information, prepares proposals and reports, and develops and implements project management strategies.

Doug is a regular technical instructor for the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and has given numerous presentations at local and national water-resource and environmental organization meetings, conferences, and workshops, in connection with water supply development and management.   In 2025, he received the NGWA Fellow designation in recognition of outstanding credentials, professional accomplishments, and commitment to promoting the increased understanding of groundwater science and water well system technology.

Doug holds a Master of Science in Hydrology from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from James Madison University.

Role: Staff Scientist
Experience: 4

Jake Smith is a Staff Scientist with Cox-Colvin and has contributed to a broad range of environmental investigations, remediation projects, and compliance programs across diverse industries including steel manufacturing, natural gas distribution, solid and hazardous waste disposal facilities, oil and gas refining, beryllium production facilities, fertilizer manufacturing, municipal facilities, shooting ranges, and the aerospace sector. His experience includes groundwater monitoring well installation and development, lithologic logging of boreholes, and environmental media sampling including soil, groundwater, sediment, surface water, and air. Jake has supported and conducted Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), remedial investigations, contaminant delineation studies, and long-term environmental monitoring projects throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Jake has served in Field Lead and Project Management roles supporting groundwater monitoring programs, landfill compliance activities, remediation efforts, and regulatory reporting. His project experience includes Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (VAP) investigations, Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM), monitored natural attenuation (MNA) evaluations, methane and groundwater monitoring, and remedial projects that resulted in regulatory closure and No Further Action (NFA) determinations. Throughout his work, he has developed a strong understanding of environmental regulations including RCRA, CERCLA, Ohio VAP, SDWA, and NPDES requirements while coordinating field activities, supporting technical reporting, and maintaining project quality and safety standards. Jake also serves as Cox-Colvin’s Health and Safety Officer, overseeing OSHA, company, and client-specific training compliance while promoting safe work practices across field operations.

Role: Lead Scientist
Experience: 8 years

Mr. Cox is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and has served on a wide variety of projects in varying industries as a field and project management role . Evan has worked on a wide range of environmental investigation projects, such as Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments; installing, developing, and sampling of groundwater monitor wells; conducting soil, surface water, sediment. He has experience with waste and unknown product container inventories and sampling for waste determinations, profiling, and disposal purposes. Evan has conducted historical document research, monitoring well rehabilitation and redevelopment, production well abandonment, cessation of regulated operations (CRO) oversight, wastewater and NPDES sampling and support at a large active oil refinery, landfill explosive gas monitoring, sampling for PFAS in groundwater, and hydrogeologic investigation for  well field expansions.

He participated in an investigation of an underground release of spent acids to groundwater, to identify the source of the release, ecological surveys following a petroleum release to natural waterways, and dye tracer testing to investigate underground contaminate pathways.  Mr. Cox has also conducted in-facility and fence-line passive air monitoring for fugitive emissions investigations; vapor intrusion evaluations of indoor air, sub-slab vapors, and soil-gas in industrial and commercial settings.

Mr. Cox  is a certified Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist (AHES) and has conducted numerous asbestos surveys of active and inactive manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and residential properties, as well as the development of an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) for an active industrial manufacturing facility. Evan also has experience overseeing and managing subcontractors while working as an industrial hygienist, conducting asbestos, mold and lead inspections and air monitoring during abatement.

Role: Lead Engineer - Air Compliance / Sustainability Reporting
Experience: 25

Jenny Avellana has more than 25 years of environmental compliance experience with an emphasis on Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements. She began her career as an environmental specialist at the Ohio EPA where she developed CAA permits for numerous regulated facilities in Ohio, including Title V, Federally Enforceable State Operating Permits (FESOP), permits-to-install, and New Source Review (NSR) permits for major sources.

After 14 years at Ohio EPA, Jenny began working directly with industrial facilities to manage their environmental compliance with a focus on CAA permit applications, PTE and recordkeeping calculations, greenhouse gas calculations, air monitoring and modeling (AERMOD and SCREEN3) air reporting, as well as Tier II and TRI reporting under EPCRA (SARA).

Jenny is skilled at interpretation and implementation of CAA requirements on both the state and federal level, including National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEMS), Compliance Assurance Monitoring (CAM), and ODS/HFC refrigerant requirements. Jenny has successfully navigated numerous Title V Full Compliance Evaluations and ISO 14001 certification audits that resulted in zero violations.

Role: Scientist
Experience: 3 years

Wiley Phelps currently works as a Scientist for Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc.  In this position, most of his work involves traveling on-site to carry-out projects such as water collection (i.e. groundwater, end of line/wastewater, toxicity sampling), drilling/soil sampling, well inspections, etc.  He understands that adherence to health and safety guidelines is important because it mitigates the risk of injury, so he has been trained to identify environmental hazards and exposures in the field to prevent accidents.

Mr. Phelps began his environmental science career working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Hydrologic Technician.  In this role, he collected water samples (tile drainage/surface runoff) from Ag fields, performed routine maintenance on field instruments (ISCO samplers, bubblers, Solonist data-loggers, YSI EXO), examined data using Aquarius software, assisted with soil sampling, and filtered samples in a lab.

Role: Principal Scientist
Experience: 22

Jacob Elder is an accomplished environmental professional with over 20 years of experience in the utilities and heavy industry sectors. Based in Dayton, Ohio, Jacob has a strong background in managing environmental compliance and remediation projects. His expertise includes overseeing regulatory compliance for electric transmission and distribution, directing soil and groundwater sampling, and managing hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal.

Jacob’s career includes roles at AES Ohio, where he managed CCR/waste, spill, and surface water programs, and acted as an advocate for the company with government entities. He also served in progressively advanced roles at Lima Refining Company and Cox-Colvin & Associates, where he led soil and groundwater sampling/remediation activities and ensured overall adherence with environmental regulations. Jacob has a proven track record of managing complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery, while building strong relationships with customers, internal stakeholders, and contractors.

Jacob holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Bowling Green State University. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati.

Role: Lead Engineer
Experience: 25

Laura brings more than 13 years of environmental consulting experience, with a strong background in environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, environmental assessment, and remediation. Her experience includes supporting industrial and commercial clients with environmental compliance and auditing;; stormwater and wastewater permitting; SPCC plan development; hazardous waste reporting; environmental due diligence; and vapor mitigation system design.

Throughout her career, Laura has managed and supported complex environmental projects for facilities across a variety of industries. She has extensive experience helping clients navigate regulatory requirements, develop practical compliance strategies, and address environmental challenges.

Laura is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio and holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University. She also brings experience with ISO 14001 environmental auditing and management systems auditing.

Laura’s combination of engineering expertise, regulatory knowledge, and hands-on environmental consulting experience will complement CCA’s existing capabilities and expand the resources we can provide to our clients.