Our team

Grover-Hollingsworth strives to have the most competent staff members of any firm practicing in our area. Nearly all of our professional staff members are state licensed in either geology or engineering and four are licensed as both geologists and engineers. Our staff members have many years of experience practicing engineering geology and geotechnical engineering in Southern California area.

Principals

David J. Grover
Principal Geologist
RG 3662, EG 1095
dgrover@ghageo.com

Dave’s interest in geology was sparked by his grandfather, a miner and rock collector who moved to California from Aspen, Colorado after his fingernails began to curl from working in the Colorado mines. Dave was fortunate to begin his career in 1972 in the laboratory at Kovacs-Byer and Associates, learning the ropes from Geologist John Byer and Geotechnical Engineer Jerry Kovacs. After graduating from UCLA in 1975, Dave worked as a geologist at Kovacs-Byer until starting Kovacs-Byer-Grover in 1981. The company became Grover and Associates in 1984. Bob Hollingsworth joined the firm in 1988 as the Principal Geotechnical Engineer, and the company became Grover-Hollingsworth & Associates. Dave is most proud of the quality of our staff at Grover-Hollingsworth, and the company’s reputation as one of the top geotechnical firms in Southern California. Dave continues to be involved in all projects from the proposal stage to final review of Geologic and Soils Engineering reports. Dave specializes in prior-to-purchase evaluations for real estate transactions. When not working, Dave enjoys golf, gardening, the beach and fine California wines.

 

Robert A. Hollingsworth
Principal Engineer
GE 2022, EG 1265
bob@ghageo.com

Bob’s decision to take geology as an elective science course at Pasadena City College (PCC) was influenced by a neighbor who taught there and returned from weekend field trips to the desert with great stories and photographs. Geology classes at PCC taught by two of the best professors Bob had in college sealed the deal. Bob transferred to UCLA where he completed a BS in Geology in 1979 and MS in Engineering in 1982. Bob worked as a geologist and engineer at Kovacs-Byer until leaving in 1988 to join Dave Grover as the Principal Engineer at Grover-Hollingsworth and Associates.

Bob’s expertise in geotechnical engineering has been applied to complicated hillside projects, landslide restoration and evaluation of damaged properties. Bob reviews all of the geotechnical reports prepared by the staff. Bob also provides expert services for attorneys and insurance companies. When not working, Bob enjoys skiing, fishing, gardening and attending basketball and football games.

 
 

Professional Staff

Martin Lieurance
martin@ghageo.com

Mr. Lieurance is a registered geologist, certified engineering geologist, and licensed civil engineer with over 26 years of professional experience, who has been with GHA since 1985. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Geology as well has his Masters degree in Geotechnical Engineering at UCLA. Martin’s primary duty at Grover-Hollingsworth has always been exploration, although he finds forensic work to often be the most interesting. When he’s not working, Martin spends his time outdoors or playing with rocks. His favorite place in the world is southwestern Montana, where the scenery is beautiful and the trout fishing unbeatable. He is actively pursuing a professional engineering license in Montana.

 

Greg Byrne
greg@ghageo.com

Mr. Byrne has over 23 years of experience practicing engineering geology in Southern California and has worked at Grover Hollingsworth & Associates since¬ 1988. He has a Bachelors of Science in Geology from California State University Los Angeles. He is a licensed professional Geologist and a Certified Engineering Geologist since 1995. Mr. Byrne has had a passion for rocks since his younger days in Yosemite scaling El Capitan. He is responsible for performing field explorations and preparing reports for complex residential developments, distressed properties, and landslide stabilization projects. Mr. Byrne also performs prior-to-purchase evaluations for real estate transactions.

 

Jeff Kofoed
JeffK@ghageo.com

Mr. Kofoed is a state licensed engineering geologist who has been with Grover-Hollingsworth since 1988. Mr. Kofoed received his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Cal State Northridge in 1988. Mr. Kofoed performs site exploration, geologic mapping and prepares geologic reports. He also performs site observation during construction of residential and commercial projects.

 

Danny Daugherty
danny@ghageo.com

Mr. Daugherty is a state licensed professional engineer and geologist who has been with Grover-Hollingsworth since 2001. Danny received a Bachelor of Science in geological sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara in December of 2000. He continued his education by receiving a Master of Science in civil engineering (geotechnical) from the University of California at Los Angeles in September of 2007. Mr. Daugherty’s primary duties at Grover-Hollingsworth are conducting subsurface exploration, performing geologic mapping, and preparing geologic and soils engineering reports for new residential construction.

 

Jared Little
jared@ghageo.com

Mr. Little is a licensed Professional Geologist in the State of California. Mr. Little graduated from California Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 2002. Jared has worked full time for Grover-Hollingsworth and Associates as a Staff Geologist since June of 2002. He was also employed here as an intern for one summer during his college years. Mr. Little currently researches site information, performs exploration and prepares geology and soils reports for various projects in hillsides and valley projects. He also performs site observations during construction. His outside interests include hiking, camping, snowboarding, basketball and reading.

 

David Benson
dbenson@ghageo.com

Mr. Benson is a state licensed professional geologist who has been with Grover-Hollingsworth since 1999. Mr. Benson received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from San Diego State University in 1983 and has worked in the geotechnical field in Southern California since 1985. Dave primarily provides field observation and consultation during construction of complicated hillside projects.

 

Stephen Watry
steve@ghageo.com

Mr. Watry is a registered engineering geologist and geotechnical engineer with over 30 years of professional experience, who has been with Grover-Hollingsworth since 1992. Mr. Watry received a B.S. in geology from UCLA, where he and Bob Hollingsworth were in the same class, and an M.S. in Geology from CSULA. Mr. Watry is a member of AEG, GSA, and ASCE and has published peer-reviewed papers in GSA and ASCE journals. Mr. Watry has been involved in the evaluation and stabilization of numerous large landslides in California. He also specializes in foundation design for hillside and beachfront properties and shoring and basement design for complex residential and commercial sites. Other duties include forensic work and expert witness support.

 

Steven Norton
snorton@ghageo.com

Mr. Norton has worked full time for Grover-Hollingsworth & Associates as a Staff Geologist since April of 2013. Steven received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Geology from UCLA in March of 2013. Mr. Norton currently researches site information, conducts subsurface exploration, performs geologic mapping and prepares geologic and soils engineering reports for various hillside and valley projects. He also performs site observations during construction of residential projects. His outside interests include running, rock climbing, and camping.

 
 

Office Managers

Carol Kane
carol@ghageo.com
Carol Kane and Debi Lewis head up the support staff at Grover-Hollingsworth. Carol has been working for the company since 1985 and is responsible for financial matters including accounts payable and receivable. Debi Lewis has been working for the company since 1997 and oversees office production and coordinates Dave Grover’s appointments. Debi Lewis
debi@ghageo.com

 
 

Grover-Hollingsworth Support Staff

Debi Lewis, Ryan Neely, Shannon Grover, Debbie Hall,
Caitlin Grover, Carol Kane

 
 

Technical Staff

David Brown
dbrown@ghageo.com

Draftsman

Dave is responsible for the preparation of the maps and sections included with our geotechnical reports.

 

Dan Holiday

Laboratory Technician

Dan runs the Los Angeles City-Approved Soils Testing Laboratory at Grover-Hollingsworth.

 

Jeff Wawrach

Field Technician

Jeff performs compaction testing and site observations during the construction of our many projects.

 

Johnny Chavez

Field Technician

Johnny performs compaction testing and site observations during the construction of our many projects.

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