ABOUT US

Our team of highly skilled architects, engineers, and industry experts bring together a wealth of experience in designing state-of-the-art laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, biotechnology manufacturing plants, medical device facilities, animal health manufacturing plants (USDA & GMP) and consulting services. We are committed to providing you with the highest quality of service, with solutions tailored to your specific needs. 

Our Team

  • Mark Potts

    Chief Operating Officer

    Mark brings a distinguished 30-year career, standing out as a seasoned leader with extensive owner-side expertise in animal health, pharmaceuticals, bio-pharmaceuticals, and consumer products sectors. Within active life science manufacturing sites, Mark has excelled in managing engineering departments, overseeing facility operations and maintenance, executing large capital design and construction projects, and participating in FDA, EU, and USDA site audits. As a consultant, he has successfully grown and led teams in diverse design and construction projects within the life science industry. Mark leverages this wealth of experience, offering a unique combined perspective as both an owner and consultant. His proven track record, spanning private enterprises to Fortune 500 companies, highlights expertise in communication, continuous improvement, adept problem-solving, and an unwavering dedication to clients. In the dynamic Life Science industry, Mark aligns with Novel Engineering & Consulting's Management Team, driving the company's commitment to excellence, innovation, and exceptional client service.

  • Sandra Bachamp, PE

    Chief Engineering Officer

    Leveraging over 20 years of expertise in the animal health, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors, Sandra is adept at leading multidisciplinary teams. Her extensive portfolio spans guiding start-ups to Fortune 500 clients through master planning and conceptual designs, delivering high-caliber outputs from Board-level presentations to detailed reports. With a foundation in mechanical engineering design, Sandra excels in steering multi-disciplinary projects, selecting optimal process equipment, and formulating comprehensive project scopes, schedules, and budgets. Her nuanced understanding of the industry facilitates a seamless transition from Phase I and II to commercial manufacturing. Noteworthy is Sandra's leadership in modular "POD" construction and the design of facilities accommodating these PODs. She dedicated a year at the G-CON PODs manufacturing facility, collaborating closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to address installation and commissioning challenges. Sandra's enduring professional relationships underscore her deep comprehension of critical factors, positioning her as a distinguished leader capable of navigating the intricacies of complex projects in the life sciences domain.

  • Jason O'Brien

    Chief Commercial Officer

    Bringing over 25 years of expertise in designing and managing large-scale projects aligned with USDA, FDA and EU specifications, Jason stands as an accomplished professional in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and animal health industries. His extensive career uniquely positions him to leverage owner-side experience, ensuring an in-depth understanding of client drivers. Jason actively champions client-side project management success, drawing on a wealth of hands-on experience and lessons learned. Jason brings a seasoned perspective marked by practical knowledge, trials, and tangible evidence of overcoming challenges. Excelling in guiding clients through all project phases, from concept to construction, he emphasizes risk assessment, validation, compliance, and continuous improvement. Jason's proficiency extends to cultivating enduring customer relationships and driving business development, reflecting his dedication to fostering long-term partnerships. His versatile skill set spans leadership, design, engineering project management, planning, situation analysis, cost estimating, and problem-solving. Jason's wealth of experience and client-centric approach position him as a pivotal contributor to project success and overall client satisfaction.

  • Curtis O'Hearn

    Director of Project Management

    With 13 years of experience in engineering and project management, Curtis is a versatile professional who has made impactful contributions across the biotechnology, cell therapy, pharmaceutical, aseptic manufacturing, API, lab, power, and telecommunications sectors. His standout ability lies in swiftly grasping and summarizing project scope, design decisions, and opportunities. Known for his high organizational acumen, he seamlessly integrates new technologies to enhance communication, fostering efficient collaboration among diverse project teams. Trained as an engineer, Curtis excels in conveying intricate concepts in easily understandable terms for both internal and external stakeholders. His unique blend of engineering and construction experience enables him to harmonize design efforts with technical precision, constructability considerations, and cost consciousness. Curtis's commitment to optimizing project execution processes and ensuring effective communication positions him as a valuable asset in navigating the intricacies of multifaceted projects across various sectors and maintaining client satisfaction.

  • Meagan Kirchhoff​, PE

    Director of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

    With a rich career spanning over 15 years, Meagan emerges as a distinguished professional in the design and management of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design teams. Her diverse portfolio encompasses an array of building types, ranging from pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, labs, and retail to healthcare, military, multi-family housing, senior living, education, and sustainability projects. Meagan's expertise extends to LEED documentation and energy modeling, highlighting her commitment to environmentally conscious practices. Demonstrating exceptional organizational prowess, she leverages her extensive experience and knowledge to streamline project engineering, quality processes, and procedures. Meagan's stellar execution planning skills contribute to the success of projects, and her talent for cultivating cohesive and well-coordinated design teams sets her apart as a standout leader in the field. Her impressive track record attests to Meagan's dedication to excellence and innovation in the realm of MEP design and management.

  • Eric Quarnstrom

    Director of Process Engineering

    Eric is a dynamic leader in process engineering with over 11 years of expertise in the life sciences, specializing in active pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and animal health manufacturing facilities from a unique perspective gained in his career at operating manufacturing facilities. His proven track record showcases adept project and process engineering management skills, honed both domestically and internationally. Eric possesses a comprehensive understanding of drug product manufacturing, spanning from front-end engineering and design to facility start-up, commissioning, qualification, and day-to-day manufacturing operations. His expertise covers a broad spectrum, including small molecule formulations, highly potent APIs, monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, and large-scale biologics. Notably, Eric brings hands-on experience and deep insights into the design and operation of various pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing equipment, coupled with an in-depth understanding of qualified utility systems. As a result, his unique vantage point on the owner-side positions him as an invaluable leader capable of successfully navigating the complexities of life sciences projects.

Whether you’re embarking on a new project, expanding your existing facility, or seeking expert guidance, Novel Engineering & Consulting is your trusted partner in Pharmaceutical, Bio-Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Laboratories, Novel Therapies and Animal Health Manufacturing. 

We’re here to turn your vision into reality.