About

Derek Booth

Director

Derek has over 30 years experience of Civil & Structural Engineering. After graduating in England, he worked with various supply schemes in England and Scotland. He then moved on to work in Bahrain on a large aluminum smelter. He migrated to New Zealand in 1974 living in Taupo for most of that time where he worked on Structural, Sewerage and subdivision design and Supervision before going to Hong Kong for five years as Project Manager for McConnell Dowel on reservoirs and building projects all with roading component.

Derek returned to Taupo and set his own business up in 1984. This has grown to a multi-discipline practice offering planning and surveying services as well as engineering. The DBCON team has an excellent rapport with the local council and the Taupo community.

When Derek is not engineering you will either find him out on his farm, competing on his horses or jumping off a bungy or flying fox!!!

Barry Smith

Engineering Manager

Barry joined the firm in December 2003, when he arrived from England to live permanently in New Zealand with his wife and three boys.

The foundation of his experience was 10 years with an International Consultant (Ove Arup and Partners) in London during which time he qualified as an Associate Member of the Institute of Structural Engineers. He has had 20 years further experience in engineering with two other consultants in the U. K. where Barry was senior engineer working on residential and retail projects, both refurbishments and new-built, from small to $16,000,000 projects.

Barry enjoys swimming cycling and running and competing in multisport events. He also enjoys the fine New Zealand wines.

Carolyn Douglas

Business Manager

Carolyn started working for Derek in 1995 and enjoys co-ordinating the team to ensure the best possible outcome for DBCON’s clients projects.

Out of the office Carolyn enjoys keeping fit and spending time with her family and friends.

Sherie Mchardy

Senior Planner

Sherie has been a practising Senior Planner since 1996, and is a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institiute.

Sherie has been working in the Taupo District since 2002, preparing Land Use and Subdivision applications to be submitted and approved by Regional and District Councils around New Zealand on both a notified and non-notifed basis. Prior to that sherie worked for Napier City Council as a Planning Officer processing Building Consents, Project Information Memorandums, Resource Consents and Land Information Memorandums. Where required Sherie also prepares the plans for Resource Consent applications, whether it be a subdivision layout plan or dwelling design to show compliance with the District Plan performance standards. Sherie has a passion for water sports, horses and painting.

Gina Fairgray

Receptionist/Administration

Front line person at Derek Booth Consultancy. Accounts, typing of reports and general inquiries.

James Dunning

Engineer

James started working for DBCON in 1999. His work includes structural and civil design including, residential / commercial design, earthworks management plans and site / project supervision. Outside work James’ passions are hunting, fishing and motorsport.

Abegail Banzuelo

Intermediate Engineer

Abegail finished her degree in Civil Engineering at Mapua Institue of Technology (MIT) in Philippines, and in 2004 became a registered engineer. Abegail started working with various Oil and Gas company- MHI, Fluor and Worley, and has more than five years of experience in this field. Abegail is involved with infrastructure projects with DBCON.

Jeet Singh

Engineer

Jeet is the newest member of DBCON Team. He finished his Masters in Engineering Studies in 2010 from university of Auckland. Prior to that Jeet was working for Home Building Consultants in Hamilton for 5 years as an Structural/Architectural Designer. During his time with Home Building Consultants he also had the opportunity to set up an Overseas office for them. Outside work Hours he likes to spend time with his Family and also enjoys watching movies.

Steve Beston

On Site Technical Engineer – Auckland area

NZCE Qualified with extensive experience in New Zealand and overseas.

Steve covers the Auckland area and provides:

• Geotech testing, foundation design and house pad compaction testing
• Percolation testing and soakage design
• Construction inspections and issue of PS4 certificates
• Design of water, sewer and stormwater systems
• Design of retaining walls
• Design of complete structures and buildings
• Sorting out issues with Councils and building inspectors
• Ex-contractor – so very user friendly

Outside of work, Steve spends his spare time designing and running off-road trips (www.4x4treks.co.nz)

Raff Potter

Engineering Technician

Originally born and educated in Taupo Raff began his Engineering education around 1978 with local company Tauhara Engineering. From 1988 Raff has been contracting on Computer Aided Design software beginning with MicroStation V3. Project Design work took him to Hamilton for 2½ years with John Thompson RR mainly involved with Boiler design and integrated pipework using CAD MicroStation V5 before moving to Auckland with Kingston Morrison (now SKM) and international Geothermal projects. He moved to Beca Simons and worked with a design team for Indonesia Nickel mining and became their on Site Materials Engineer. 1996 to 2008 Raff was based in London working on high profile Projects such as Heathrow Terminal as a CAD Coordinator and also with the BAA client and the Project Delivery / CAD Production Support Team then Project Planning 4D Timeline Modeling using AutoCAD ADT 2008 and NavisWorks Clash coordination and Project collaboration Timeliner. Other major Projects experiences include London Crossrail with Bechtel Project Delivery Team using MicroStation V8i and NavisWorks Timeliner and also Projects with ARUP Project Management, London Olympics, Kings Cross St Pancreas Refurbishment, Ebbsfleet International and Dubai Opera House and Hotel.

Recently returned to New Zealand and now based in Taupo with his partner and family Raff is still involved with local community activities and supports the Taupo JKD Mod-ka Combat Academy as the Club Secretary / Treasurer. He has many extra curricular interests from Outdoor adventure pursues through completed personal development programs including Mastery University with Anthony Robbins and Landmark Education Curriculum for living among many other. Raff enjoys life fully especially spending time with his family and training to remain fit and healthy.