CoWaves
Our Philosophy
CoWaves is a company that aims to meet the project needs by analyzing processes, identifying (potential) bottlenecks and offering solutions. What differentiates CoWaves from other companies, however, is the unique practical guidance and implementation of the fix.
Our Skillset
Our skilled team possesses many years of management experience, with backgrounds in technology, business and technical knowledge, and data collection and management. We offer our clients everything from large-scale implementation to daily operations. We are big picture people with an eye for fine details and the necessary humility to work alongside the team helping to solve small picture problems.
We utilize the critical path method to first evaluate and identify potential pinch points or trouble areas. We connect with the project team for alignment, structuring information, setting priorities, and building a plan for success. Communicating effectively across the project team is one of our greatest strengths. Finding the flow, both on a technical and human level, is central to our success. We are CoWaves; collaboration and fluidity.
What makes us unique
Professional &
systematic
Personalised &
Hands on
Goal &
Result driven
Thomas Combe
Role: Founder of CoWaves
Education: Msc. Offshore & Dredging Engineering / Bsc. Civil Engineering, Tu Delft.
About: Thomas his strengths lay in getting things done, connecting easily with people and bringing positivity in difficult situations. Besides his work he enjoys cooking, cycling and scuba diving in his free time.
Why CoWaves? CoWaves has provided a steady basis for personal and professional growth for the team, and that motivates Thomas.
Ilja van Ketel – Brussel
Role: Project-/ & Operations Manager
Education: BSc Naval Architect & BEd.
Ilja is both an experienced naval architect, with a wealth of knowledge on maritime expertise, and a former lecturer, with a heart for people and education. Ilja is great at distinguishing main- and side issues. This makes her the perfect person to support the team and help them develop as it makes her a great addition to a project.
In her free time, Ilja loves riding her motorbike, taking her own boat out on the water, and enjoying quality time with her family.
Renee Northern
Role: General Manager
Education: Finance.
About: Renee is a seasoned professional known for strong people management and collaborative team leadership. She is responsible for the daily operations of the Americas office including strategic decision making and business development. Her experience with adaptive project management philosophies makes her a purposeful planner and collaborator, bringing both structure and flexibility to her projects. Outside of work she enjoys being outdoors, baking bread, and spending time with her family.
Britt Staal
Role: Office Manager
Education: Studying to become a nurse, Leiden.
About: Britt is eager to learn, organized, and positive. She is a key team member with responsibilities for planning, administration and marketing. Besides work, she loves to play hockey and spends her time with friends and family.
Bruce van den Busken
Role: Project Support Assistant
Education: BSc. Marine Technology
About: Bruce is currently busy studying for his bachelor’s degree in Maritime Engineering. He is determined and likes to solve problems. Besides his studies and his work, he likes to spend his time in the gym and play the guitar.
Sophie Juffermans
Role: Project Support
Education: Philosophy, University of Utrecht. European Studies on Science, Technology and Society, University of Maastricht and Klagenfurt.
Sophie has a background in studying the intersection of science, technology, and society. She likes finding solutions for complex problems. She has also spent time sailing as a skipper, leading and training groups on yachts in different countries. Along the way, she has picked up managing and teamwork skills. In her free time, you’ll often find her sailing in competitions, playing or listening to jazz or hanging out with friends and family for good conversations.
Storm Rooze
Role: Project Support Assistant
Education: BSc. Marine Technology
About: Storm is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture with a minor in Offshore Wind Energy at TU Delft. He is spontaneous and has a solution for every problem, while remaining flexible and calm. He likes to spend his time surfing in France and playing soccer and he also has a passion for bluesy and funky guitar music.
Roeland van Hagen
Role: Project Support Assistant
Education: BSc. Marine Technology
About: Roeland is currently finishing his bachelors degree Maritime Engineering. Within his work he has an affinity for the financial aspects of projects. In his free time he likes to work out, listen to old music or work with his hands.
Vino Peeten
Role: Project Support
Education: MSc Maritime Technology, TU Delft.
About: With his master’s degree in Maritime Technology, Vino comes armed with a level of technical expertise that makes him a valuable asset to the team. Equipped with previous working experience as a Project Support Engineer in sustainability, Vino’s approach to problem-solving is both analytical and creative. In his free time, Vino likes to hit the road with his running shoes, explore the underwater world, and loves to spend quality time with his friends.
Read about our associates
Testimonials
I know Thomas from my role as Associate Professor of Offshore & Dredging Engineering, where Thomas was one of my graduate students in 2015. Thomas is very enthusiastic and ambitious, which led to a graduation project at Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago.
He is very good at arranging the things that need to be done and can operate very independently. On the other hand, he is very good at handling people, and communicating. While in the USA, he arranged experimental research at Texas A&M himself, including building the testing facility and setting clay. So Thomas is the guy to get the job done. He is very good at building a network.
Read more
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago. He is very good at arranging the things that need to be done and can operate very independently. On the other hand, he is very good at handling people, and communicating. While in the USA, he arranged experimental research at Texas A&M himself, including building the testing facility and setting clay. So Thomas is the guy to get the job done. He is very good at building a network.
Sape Miedema - Head of Studies Delft University of Technology
I got to know Thomas as a driven, ambitious critical mind, who won't let anything stop him from achieving his goals. He is super good at connecting and keeping people hooked. He's a pacesetter, a nice guy to have around when you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Entrepreneurial and independence are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Read more
you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. Selfish, of course. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Enterprising and independent are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Floris Groeneveld
- Owner Critical Minds
Thomas is an enthusiastic man and has an excellent eye on the business interests for which he works, he is vital in assessing the situation and needs, and you can spar well with Thomas. The cooperation was excellent, he trained my people well, was clear, understanding, and a bit of aftercare was perfect. Because of his enthusiasm, knowledge, and inquisitiveness to imagine himself in the company he works for, he can make a good analysis of what is needed to lift the company to a higher level.
Read more
His positive attitude and a dose of humour make cooperation very easy. I would recommend Thomas because he is a team player. He stands for what he does and says.
Jos Aarts
Owner Zijlstra
My role is to supervise large, complex and not your every day projects within the maritime sector as senior Project Manager at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. Thomas is broadly oriented and more than just in planning. It is a kind of service that Thomas offers of his own accord and that is a pleasure to work with. He also takes the initiative to find out all the details of a project. I enjoy working with Thomas because he has a lot of potential and positivity. He has an enormous drive and is very employable. In which the results were excellent. He is in a state of solving a problem without negativity. Thomas energizes your team when working with him and Thomas' input adds value. He is a loyal team player.
Read more
you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. Selfish, of course. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Enterprising and independent are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Mark Derks - Senior Project Manager Damen Shiprepair & Conversion
We worked very closely with Thomas on the development of a program schedule, several iterations incorporating new ideas and developing details for a dredge construction. With his superior knowledge of dredge construction it was a great support. Thomas always brings a fresh perspective to the task at hand.
Justin Slater - Director of Sales and Marketing at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding located in Wisconsin, USA
I got to know Thomas as a driven, ambitious critical mind, who won't let anything stop him from achieving his goals. He is super good at connecting and keeping people hooked. He's a pacesetter, a nice guy to have around when you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Entrepreneurial and independence are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Read more
you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. Selfish, of course. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Enterprising and independent are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Floris Groeneveld
- Owner Critical Minds
I know Thomas from my role as Associate Professor of Offshore & Dredging Engineering, where Thomas was one of my graduate students in 2015. Thomas is very enthusiastic and ambitious, which led to a graduation project at Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago. He is very good at arranging the things that need to be done and can operate very independently. On the other hand, he is very good at handling people, and communicating. While in the USA, he arranged experimental research at Texas A&M himself, including building the testing facility and setting clay. So Thomas is the guy to get the job done. He is very good at building a network.
Read more
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago. He is very good at arranging the things that need to be done and can operate very independently. On the other hand, he is very good at handling people, and communicating. While in the USA, he arranged experimental research at Texas A&M himself, including building the testing facility and setting clay. So Thomas is the guy to get the job done. He is very good at building a network.
Sape Miedema - Head of Studies Delft University of Technology
Thomas is an enthusiastic man and has an excellent eye on the business interests for which he works, he is vital in assessing the situation and needs, and you can spar well with Thomas. The cooperation was excellent, he trained my people well, was clear, understanding, and a bit of aftercare was perfect. Because of his enthusiasm, knowledge, and inquisitiveness to imagine himself in the company he works for, he can make a good analysis of what is needed to lift the company to a higher level.
Read more
His positive attitude and a dose of humour make cooperation very easy. I would recommend Thomas because he is a team player. He stands for what he does and says.
Jos Aarts
- Owner Zijlstra interiors
My role is to supervise large, complex and not your every day projects within the maritime sector as senior Project Manager at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. Thomas is broadly oriented and more than just in planning. It is a kind of service that Thomas offers of his own accord and that is a pleasure to work with. He also takes the initiative to find out all the details of a project. I enjoy working with Thomas because he has a lot of potential and positivity. He has an enormous drive and is very employable. In which the results were excellent. He is in a state of solving a problem without negativity. Thomas energizes your team when working with him and Thomas' input adds value. He is a loyal team player.
Read more
you're having a party. We went abroad a few times together, including Miami, and we got to know each other better there. So driven and so eager to learn. Selfish, of course. It is a beautiful and logical step that Thomas started his own business. Enterprising and independent are two characteristics of Thomas. I would recommend Thomas if you are looking for someone who gets things done. Preferably in a hectic environment where he can use his knowledge and control skills.
Mark Derks - Senior Project Manager Damen Shiprepair & Conversion
We worked very closely with Thomas on the development of a program schedule, several iterations incorporating new ideas and developing details for a dredge construction. With his superior knowledge of dredge construction it was a great support. Thomas always brings a fresh perspective to the task at hand.
Justin Slater - Director of Sales and Marketing at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding located in Wisconsin, USA
Get in touch
We bridge the gap between people and technology. We are getting things done in a humane way in maritime project-, process- and data management.