Kevin Taylor

Wilmington-based Andrew Consulting Engineers has hired two new full-time employees to provide engineering and drafting services to meet the demands of existing and new projects, according to a news release.

The employees are Kevin Taylor as construction and IT administrator and Zack Norris as an engineer-In-training.

“We’re proud to welcome Kevin and Zack to the team and the skills and experience they bring have already had a very positive impact on our firm,” said Neal Andrew, president of Andrew Consulting Engineers. “We’ve been very busy with a number of local and regional projects, including the Water Street Streetscaping, Bradley Creek Yacht Club bulkhead replacement and the Battleship NC hull and mast repairs.”

Taylor began working with Andrew Consulting Engineers as an IT contractor in 2012 and joined the firm full-time in 2020 to continue his IT role and to assume the duties of construction administrator. His projects include the hull and mast restoration of the USS North Carolina, the bulkhead renovation at Bradley Creek Yacht Club, North Waterfront Park in downtown Wilmington and The Cape Fear Club, a private social club in downtown Wilmington.

Taylor grew up in Texas and Alabama and attended Corpus Christi State University and Edison State University. He served eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

A resident of Wilmington, Taylor is a licensed electrician in North Carolina and has been a licensed pilot for 25 years. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage son, surfing, music, and coaching baseball. He is also a long-standing supporter of the local Supper Optimist Club and has served as president of its board of directors.

Norris (pictured below) is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where he earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 2020, and in 2021, a master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in structural engineering.

Norris passed his professional engineering exam earlier this year and will receive his professional engineering license in 2024. His responsibilities at Andrews Consulting Engineers include the analysis and design of low- to mid-rise buildings, marine structures and existing structures.

While at UNC Charlotte, Norris worked as a water resources engineering intern at Stantec, where he was engaged in the design of water and wastewater systems, including a new water main through South Boulevard in Charlotte. He also worked as an intern at Bennett & Pless, where his responsibilities included the analysis and design of industrial structures utilizing concrete, steel and timber.

A native of Wilmington, Norris grew up in his family’s construction business – Norris Construction Grading and Paving Inc. In this capacity, he worked on the site development of Penderlea School and additions to Castle Hayne Park. When Norris is not working, he enjoys drag racing and watching professional football.

Established in February 2004, Andrew Consulting Engineers is a full-service structural engineering firm that provides structural, forensic, marine and forensic engineering services for companies, organizations and state and local governments throughout the Southeast. The firm is headquartered at 3811 Peachtree Ave. in Wilmington.