Meet the team

Mike is a Principal and CEO at Butler Partners, bringing extensive experience in geotechnical investigation, design, and construction supervision for major projects. He specialises in soil structure interaction and applying design analyses to construction. His responsibilities range from preliminary evaluations to detailed analyses, covering landslide risk assessment, slope design, foundation assessments, remedial works design, and infrastructure for mining and resource projects. Mike also supervises construction and provides expert advice. He has completed the NSW Roads and Maritime Services’ Slope Risk Analysis Course, making him well-versed in slope stability risk assessment and remedial design.

Suzanne has a wealth of experience as a Project Director/Manager and site supervisor, specialising in geo-environmental and hydrogeological investigations and remediation activities for diverse facilities. As a Principal Auditor, she has conducted facility audits for various plants, including food processing, chemical manufacturing, paint manufacturing, and timber treatment. Suzanne has managed projects and engineered solutions for developing remediation strategies, environmental management plans, and risk assessments. She is a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) under Section 564 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Chris has dedicated more than four decades to civil engineering consulting, technical services, construction materials, and geotechnical investigation. His extensive experience spans geotechnical and pavement investigations, construction materials testing and advice (including soils, concrete, aggregates, and rock), and quarry development and management. He is well-versed in quarry certification for Main Roads contracts and the establishment and management of site laboratories for large and remote projects. Additionally, Chris has undertaken forensic investigation in the construction materials area and provides expert advice. He is a NATA technical assessor and has extensive experience in the management of large base laboratories.

Ricardo brings a high level of expertise in geotechnical investigations and design, contributing to a diverse array of projects. His portfolio includes residential subdivision developments, commercial and industrial sites, high-rise buildings with deep basements, mining and resource infrastructure, as well as road and bridge investigations. Ricardo's responsibilities have encompassed field supervision of site investigations, project management, and construction inspections. He has conducted analysis and design for shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls, and slope stability. Additionally, he has assessed expansive soils, developments on soft foundation soils, potential settlements, and ground improvement techniques.

Nick is an Associate Geotechnical Engineer with a strong background in the geotechnical and construction materials testing industry across Queensland and Australia. He has worked on a vast number of large-scale projects and taking on geotechnical engineering/project management roles to enable timely and high quality project outcomes.

Clayton is a seasoned Senior Geotechnical Engineer with a deep knowledge of the engineering industry. Throughout his career, Clayton has provided management, technical guidance, and design expertise on major projects spanning the mining, oil and gas, transport, and infrastructure sectors. His extensive project experience includes work in Australia, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu. Clayton's areas of expertise encompass geotechnical investigations, materials testing, development of geotechnical design parameters, slope stabilization, pavements, retaining walls, shallow and deep foundations, consolidation assessment, ground improvement, temporary works, and earthworks.

Dwain brings a profound understanding of the construction materials industry, having managed laboratories in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. His management portfolio spans from small remote facilities to large 24-hour operations. Dwain has played a crucial role in establishing six base laboratories from the ground up, driven by his passion for developing and implementing quality systems. He is committed to ensuring staff training remains a priority at Butler Partners. His areas of expertise include extensive knowledge of Australian Standard and Queensland Department of Transport materials testing methods, establishing permanent and remote testing laboratories, developing and managing quality processes and procedures, and overseeing the logistical and technical management of multiple large laboratories across Australia.

With over 20 years in Construction Materials Testing (CMT), Chris has worked across major infrastructure projects, quarry and concrete operations, and laboratory management throughout Queensland. Starting as a Trainee Technician with Main Roads in 1999, he advanced through senior roles, overseeing large-scale projects like gas works, mine expansions, and road developments. His expertise spans quality assurance, NATA/Main Roads audits, compliance management, staff training, and project tendering. From managing QA for concrete and quarry operations to leading a team of 25 technicians on the Cooroy to Curra Section D Project, Chris brings a wealth of hands-on experience in materials testing and laboratory operations.

Liam has a solid background in the construction materials testing industry, a NATA Supervisory Level 5 certification, and a significant tenure as a NATA Signatory. Liam has managed laboratories in Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. He has overseen large-scale residential and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with Department of Transport and Main Roads and Australian standards. His expertise encompasses geotechnical site and engineering investigations, foundation and ground improvements, pavement and subgrade investigations, and geotechnical compliance testing. Additionally, he is proficient in testing soils, aggregates, concrete, and rock, coordinating and managing testing and QAA for projects of varying scales, and supervising earthworks in accordance with AS 3798.

Jon brings considerable experience in environmental and in-ground assessment, monitoring, and supervisory roles. In the resources sector, he has monitored water quality and managed ongoing monitoring programs. Additionally, he has worked in the quarrying, infrastructure, and development sectors, conducting site contamination assessments, groundwater investigations, geotechnical investigations, general soil and aggregate testing, and construction monitoring.

Edward is a seasoned geotechnical engineer with extensive experience in academic research within geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. His vast laboratory, analytical, and computational research experience has given him deep expertise in analyzing and engineering fine-grained geomaterials like clays, coals, peats, and various inorganic and organic substances. Edward excels in general geotechnical engineering analysis, particularly in slope stability, remedial design, rockfall, and groundwater flow. He employs advanced techniques, including the finite element method, discrete element method, and molecule-level analysis, to tackle complex engineering challenges.

Blare is a highly skilled and experienced Lead Drilling Technician with a strong background in geotechnical, environmental, and exploration drilling. With certifications including a Class 1 Drillers License, Certificate III in Drilling Operations, and an HR Open License, Blare brings a high level of expertise to every project. Blare has played a key role in major infrastructure, mining, and construction projects across Australia, including upgrades for Rio Tinto, Brisbane Gateway Motorway, Queens Wharf Casino, Santos LNG, and Curtis Island LNG Plant. His experience spans foundation drilling, groundwater and inclinometer testing, overwater drilling, and geotechnical assessments for large-scale developments. With a commitment to safety, efficiency, and precision, Blare takes pride in delivering top-quality drilling services that support the success of civil works, mining, and environmental projects