Our Team

Meet the leadership and technical experts of Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. Our team combines decades of engineering excellence, industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to deliver innovative solutions and drive our mission forward.

Meet Our Leadership Team

General Manager

Aditya Garg

Aditya is the General Manager of Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. With over 30 years of Industrial experience, he has progressed through leadership roles in OEM’s and MRO’s and prides himself on adaptability and sustainable approaches to transformation.

Prior to joining KOVA, Aditya led teams in CNH Industrial, with prior experiences at Hitachi, Standard Aero and Ford New Holland. His professional interests lie in Strategy deployment, Health & Safety, Product Quality, Sales & Operations Planning, Supply Chain Management, Asset management, Financials, Product Development, Project Management, People Development, Lean methodology, Sustainability, Governance and Management Standards.

Aditya and his wife enjoy traveling and have lived in Canada, the USA, China, India, and Zambia. He enjoys gardening and is proud of his 3 daughters respectively engaged in Education, Health Care and Marine Biology.

Inspection Services Manager

Steve Stinson

Steve is a highly experienced professional engineer at Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. with over a decade of service under his belt. His registered area of practice includes analyzing and designing complex structures such as cranes, platforms, and other industrial structures. Steve is a seasoned expert in weld design, non-destructive testing, and quality assurance, making him an invaluable asset to the team.

Steve’s commitment to building lasting relationships has been an essential element of the organization’s success. He invests his time and energy into clients, colleagues, and the community, creating meaningful connections that contribute to the organization’s growth.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys woodworking and creating unique designs that showcase his creativity and attention to detail. He lives in Regina with his family and their three beloved dogs.

Engineering Services Manager

Dhanya Tharakan

Dhanya is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Civil Engineer with over 12 years of experience delivering large-scale real estate projects across construction, development, and consulting sectors. She specializes in managing the full project lifecycle—planning, budgeting, execution, and stakeholder engagement—while ensuring results that align with organizational and client goals.

Her background includes key roles at global firms, where she implemented governance frameworks, drove value engineering initiatives, and advised on cost optimization strategies. Dhanya is passionate about creating efficient, data-driven systems that enable smarter project delivery and long-term impact.

Based in Saskatoon, Dhanya lives with her husband, a senior HR professional, and their two boys. She enjoys reading, working on DIY projects, and traveling with her family to explore new places and experiences together.

Technical Services Manager

Nathan Rinholm

Nathan has been with Kova since 2007 in various roles. During his time at Kova, Nathan has been involved in all aspects of design, analysis, and drawing creation for many unique projects. The diverse range of projects at Kova Engineering, along with the constant challenges they present, is a key factor contributing to Nathan's enjoyment of his work. These ongoing opportunities for problem-solving and growth make his role both stimulating and rewarding.

Outside of work Nathan enjoys watching and coaching hockey and spending time with his family. Nathan lives in Saskatoon with his wife and two children.

Human Resource Manager

Mika Riglin

Mika is the Human Resource Manager for Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd period. She has worked at Kova for over 20 years in both human resources and business administration roles in both Kova’s Saskatoon and Regina branches. Her professional interests include cross-functional teamwork, building inclusive workplaces, and supporting life-long learning.

Outside of work, Mika performs as part of a choral ensemble, attends a variety of music events, and enjoys reading and attending Rider games.

Principal Engineer

Jason Burtney

Jason is a professional engineer with more than 25 years of experience delivering practical, code-compliant solutions for complex industrial applications. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in supporting clients across heavy industry, contributing to long-term project success through technical expertise, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of operational realities.
His practice focuses on the design and analysis of industrial structures, including cranes, platforms, and under-the-hook lifting devices, as well as structural steel systems designed in accordance with applicable codes and standards. Jason brings extensive experience in weld design, quality assurance, non-destructive testing, and failure analysis, allowing him to approach engineering challenges with both precision and a strong emphasis on safety and reliability.
In addition to his technical work, Jason has been instrumental in building trusted, long-standing relationships with clients and colleagues alike. His collaborative approach and commitment to local industry have contributed meaningfully to the organization’s growth and reputation over time.
Senior Engineer

Paul Caughlin

Paul has several years of experience working on projects for the heavy industrial sector in Saskatchewan and Alberta as both a mechanical and structural engineer. He has permission to consult in an exceptionally wide range of fields. For the last several years, Paul and his team of engineers and technologists have primarily provided engineering services for fabricators building large mining and power-generation process equipment.

In 2012, Paul completed a master’s degree focused on structural and geotechnical engineering. His thesis project used finite element analysis techniques to examine the soil-structure interaction of deep and shallow foundation supporting columns subject to high moments.

What sets Paul apart from his peers is his experience with computer-aided analysis techniques and his ability to interpret results in the context of code and standard requirements.

Senior Engineer

Simon Woods

Simon began his professional career with Kova Engineering, while completing a M.Sc. degree at the U of S on the study of vibration control in under-actuated structural systems. Simon’s professional interests include many technical areas including mechanics of materials, finite element analysis, dynamics and vibration, structural optimization as well as practical interests in mechanical/structural design and effective coaching and leadership.

Simon lives in Saskatoon with his wife and two boys. He loves to stay active and outdoors and can often be found playing (or coaching) soccer, cycling, running and hanging out with his boys. His family loves to take holidays away from work at many of the beautiful northern Saskatchewan lakes, spending time hiking, paddling, exploring and relaxing.

Inspection Manager - Regina

Derek Horvath

Derek is the Regina Inspection Manager of Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. With 25 years of industrial experience, he is focused on quality inspections, customer satisfaction, and employee development and safety. He leads by example and enjoys being in the field guiding staff and maintaining customer relations.

His current qualifications include CWB Level 3 visual inspection, CGSB Level 2 MT, Level 2 PT and Level 1 UT inspection tickets. His professional interests lie in Health & Safety, Product Quality, Sales & Operations Planning, Product Development, People Development, and Retention.

Derek currently lives in White City, SK. Both he and his wife enjoy travel and spending time at their cabin with friends and family. He is most proud of his 2 children who are currently enrolled at the U of R.

Inspection Manager - Saskatoon

Jordan Gaucher

Jordan is a Senior Inspector and Manager of Inspection services in Saskatoon for Kova Engineering Saskatchewan Ltd. He has been working for Kova, in the inspection field, for almost three decades now throughout Saskatchewan, Canada, United States and Kyrgyzstan.

Jordan is a Civil Engineering Technologist whose accomplishments include obtaining a level 3 in welding inspection through the Canadian Welding Bureau, holding various non-destructive testing tickets through the Canadian General Standards Board and helping establish the high standards of quality and safety within Kova Engineering Saskatchewan Ltd.

His inspection background is in crane and lift equipment, under the hook lifting devices, structural steel (commercial and Industrial buildings), bridges, water towers, atmospheric tanks and other industrial structures in accordance with applicable codes and regulations. He has significant experience in the welding industry, code, specifications, non-destructive testing and quality assurance fields.

Jordan enjoys golf and hopes to do more traveling with his wife Kim in the coming years.

He is a proud father of three daughters and grandfather to one granddaughter who all reside in Saskatoon.

Meet Our Project Team

Meet the Project Coordinators who support our engineering and inspection teams every day. Their attention to detail, proactive approach, and commitment to safety help ensure projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards.

Senior Project Coordinator

Ryan lytle

Ryan is a Senior Project Coordinator at Kova and has been with the company since 2008. He began his professional career after completing the CAD/CAM Engineering Technology program, joining Kova as a drafting technologist.

In his early role, Ryan enjoyed tackling a wide range of evolving challenges. He specialized in engineered lift plans and complex, multi-layered projects, developing a strong technical foundation and a detailed understanding of project requirements. This experience led to his transition into project management, where he supports clients and the Kova team in delivering practical, efficient solutions.

Ryan lives in Saskatoon with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active with his family, coaching and playing hockey, and enjoying summers at the lake.

Senior Project Coordinator

Taylor Hartness

Taylor Hartness is a Senior Service Coordinator with a strong focus on logistics safety and operational excellence. Known for a customer-first mindset, Taylor brings diverse experience and deep technical knowledge to complex service environments, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable outcomes. A collaborative team player, Taylor excels at working across functions to solve problems, support continuous improvement, and deliver high-quality service.

Outside of work, Taylor enjoys riding her motorcycle in the summer, camping, reading and spending time with her border collie Molly.

Project Coordinator

Brianne

Project Coordinator

Vishal Lakhwani

Vishal is an Engineering Project Coordinator at Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd., and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Predictive Project Management certified professional. He brings over nine years of international experience in industrial and manufacturing engineering, having worked on projects for global clients across India, North & South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
At Kova, Vishal leads engineering projects and industrial inspections ensuring timelines, budgets, and client expectations are consistently met, bridging technical execution with project leadership. Prior to joining Kova, he gained hands-on expertise in complex mechanical systems, process optimization, and quality assurance at multinational organizations such as ABB, Panasonic, and Saint-Gobain. He is also a proud Silver Medalist at Skills Canada Saskatchewan 2025 in Mechanical Engineering CAD.
Passionate about project management, engineering design, and continuous learning, Vishal thrives on collaboration and professional growth. Outside of work, he enjoys volunteering, biking on trails, countryside walks along rivers, and engaging with the local community.
Project Coordinator

Cathy Starkell

Cathy is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Professional Mechanical Engineer (P.Eng) with 20 plus years of experience in both the execution and planning of multidisciplinary projects, from micro projects that take only a few days to medium/large construction projects that require permitting. Her mechanical experience is based on HVAC design for industrial and commercial buildings, and her project management includes small ($2k) to medium ($1.4 million) scale engineering studies and manufacturing and construction projects.
Her career has taken her to Minneapolis and Orlando in the US, to the US Virgin Islands, to BC and back to her hometown Saskatoon. Her background includes the multidisciplinary assessment of buildings for capital planning purposes, the design and execution of multiple energy-driven building renovations, and the completion of multi-million-dollar renovation projects for security conscious clients.
Outside of work Cathy is kept busy planning and executing her ongoing house renovations, running her fledgling Notary business, and volunteering with various engineering related organizations. To relax she likes escapist reading, watching British procedural shows and putting in some laps at the local community pool.
Project Coordinator

Charandeep Kaur

Charandeep Kaur is a Project Coordinator based in Kova’s Saskatoon office, where she supports the planning and delivery of inspection projects from start to finish. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering and a postgraduate qualification in Project Management and Business Analytics, and brings experience across multiple industries, allowing her to apply analytical and transferable skills to her role.
At Kova, Charandeep coordinates inspection services with inspectors, engineers, clients, and vendors to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. She manages project schedules, budgets, quality, documentation, and communication, and serves as a key point of contact between clients and internal teams. Her proactive approach to risk management and continuous improvement supports consistent, high-quality project outcomes.
Outside of work, Charandeep enjoys reading self-development books, staying active through long walks, gym workouts, and badminton, exploring new restaurants, and capturing scenic views through photography. She values building relationships grounded in integrity and approaches people with genuine effort and zeal.
Project Coordinator

Malavika Madhu

Malavika Madhu is a Project Coordinator at Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd., supporting the delivery of structural and industrial engineering projects. She brings over five years of international experience in the construction and engineering industry, with a strong background in both site-based and office-driven project environments.
Her professional experience includes planning, budgeting, and managing a wide range of projects, material and cost estimation, bid preparation, documentation control, execution coordination, as well as structural modelling and design. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery while maintaining project schedules and quality standards.
Malavika is known for her organized and dependable approach and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Outside of work, she enjoys playing both indoor and outdoor games, working on DIY projects and drawing. She values continuous learning and collaboration and brings the same thoughtful, detail-oriented mindset to both her professional work and personal interests.

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