Mr. Maygarden is an experienced project manager, researcher, and cultural resources investigator, specializing in Cultural Resource Management planning, Interpretative Master Planning, NEPA and NHPA compliance, Land Use History, and environmental management support.  Over the past twenty six years, Ben has developed his wide range of technical and project expertise by supporting clients in all aspects of environmental and operational planning. 

Mr. Galloway has seven years of experience performing drainage infrastructure and civil site designs, coastal engineering, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, forensic hydrology, data collection, and permitting.  His work has included storm water management designs and studies in urban and suburban areas, near-shore breakwater design, hydrologic studies of wetland areas, hydraulic investigations of riverine accidents, SWPPP development, utility inspections, and construction management.  As Gaea's project manager, he plans, coordinates, and directs all engineering work in the office, manages relationships with clients and sub-consultants, and manages schedules and budgets.  Mr. Galloway also has extensive leadership and management experience through his service with the Louisiana National Guard.  As an engineer officer, he has led large construction units through projects, routine training events, emergency responses, and deployments to Kuwait and Haiti.

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Dr. Koob has worked extensively throughout Louisiana for the last 24 years providing project management services, environmental engineering, and hazard mitigation drainage solutions to government agencies and private clients.  As a Certified Floodplain Manager, she is a specialist in hazard mitigation with an emphasis on alleviating the cycle of damage-rebuild-damage due to disaster losses.  Her administrative skills combined with her technical knowledge enable her to assess project needs at all levels and to direct personnel so that work is completed on time and within budget.  Dr. Koob was the only local environmental engineer working for the US Army Corps of Engineers’ prime contractor for debris removal post Katrina in New Orleans south of I-10.  In that role she managed over 100 field personnel, designed hazardous waste removal programs, coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal entities, and maintained environmental compliance on a $500 million project.

Gaea Consultants, LLC is a multidisciplinary firm that seeks to improve the connection between humans and their environment.  Named after the Greek mother goddess, Gaea Consultants recognizes the immense power of nature to provide, destroy, and renew.  Founded by Dr. Tonja Koob, PE, in 2000, Gaea Consulants' office is a renovated corner grocery in the Irish Channel neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. We are a fully licensed and insured engineering firm in the State of Louisiana  and specialize in the fields of coastal and civil engineering, environmental consulting and engineering, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, landscape architecture, and construction management. Gaea is a Small Business, a Small Disadvantaged Business, a Woman-owned Business, a certified Disadvantaged Business with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the City of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and a participant in the Louisiana Hudson Initiative Small and Emerging Business Development Program (#10360).  Gaea’s project experience ranges in size from small, highly specialized Environmental Site Assessments and hydrologic and hydraulic studies to large federal projects involving coordination between multiple firms over long distances.



Over the past seventeen years, Gaea has provided civil, environmental, and coastal consulting services to a wide variety of clients in both the public and private sectors including:



• United States Army Corps of Engineers

• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
• New Orleans Department of Public Works
• LA Department of Transportation & Development
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• LA Recovery School District​



Gaea understands the need for timely solutions to difficult questions.  Moreover, Gaea is well-equipped to perform tasks at all levels of complexity.  The professional and educational accomplishments of our employees demonstrate our abilities to undertake and conclude challenging assignments.