Kagan Rutz

Principal/Senior Engineer

Mr. Rutz is the Principal/Senior Engineer of Alpine Geotechnical. Previously, he was office manager for Terracon’s prior Kalispell, Montana office where he had been employed since August 2006.  Mr. Rutz has performed geotechnical and materials engineering assignments.

Mr. Rutz has performed various special inspections including pile driving, pile load/verification observations, steel reinforcement, structural bolts, structural welds, shear walls, masonry systems, fireproofing, and roofing.

He has performed field exploration and lab testing for subsurface investigations, reduced test data, and assisted in the development of geotechnical engineering reports. Prior to his employment at NTL/Terracon, Mr. Rutz was employed as a materials technician and staff geotechnical engineer performing laboratory testing, as well as subsurface exploration and preparing geotechnical reports.

Cliff Clark

Staff Geological Engineer

Mr. Clark is a Staff Geological Engineer. He achieved his Bachelors of Science in Geosciences at University of Montana and then completed his Masters of Engineering in Geological Engineering at Montana Technological University. He has 7 years of experience with soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM & AASHTO standards.  Mr. Clark’s education and experience provides relevant geology and engineering input to projects.

Mr. Clark’s Geotechnical Engineering experience has included numerous site investigations and preparation of geotechnical reports. Mr. Clark’s education and experience in soil and rock mechanics has made him skilled in geotechnical areas of slope stability, earth retention, and shallow and deep foundation design.

Teal Gayner

Geoscientist

Ms. Gayner is an Engineering Technician and Geoscientist with 5 years of experience with soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM & AASHTO standards.  She completed her Bachelors of Science in Geosciences at University of Montana. She has great aptitude for all laboratory testing, and has performed the AASHTO RE:SOURCE proficiency samples, management of the quality system, and assisted with hot mix asphalt mix designs.

Austin Lybeck

Senior Engineering Technician

Mr. Lybeck is a Senior Engineering Technician.  He completed his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Sciences with an option in Geology at University of Montana Western. He has over 7 years of experience with soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM and AASHTO standards.  Mr. Lybeck has extensive experience with field testing of soils, concrete, hot mix asphalt, floor flatness and levelness, as well as special inspection of structural steel connections and spray applied fireproofing. 

Jim Murrell

Engineering Technician

Mr. Murrell is an Engineering Technician at Alpine Geotechnical, LLC. He completed his Geology Degree with an emphasis in Physical Geography, Oceanography from Humboldt State University. He has experience conducting field and laboratory tests of concrete, soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM and AASHTO standards.

Jeremey Primmer

Engineering Technician

Mr. Primmer is an Engineering Technician at Alpine Geotechnical, LLC. He completed his Bachelors of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has experience conducting field and laboratory tests of concrete, soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM and AASHTO standards.

Hayden Braaten

Engineering Technician

Mr. Braaten is an Engineering Technician at Alpine Geotechnical, LLC. He is a Flathead Valley local with a unique knowledge of the area. He has experience conducting field and laboratory tests of concrete, soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM and AASHTO standards.

Colin Rossano

Engineering Technician

Mr. Rossano is an Engineering Technician at Alpine Geotechnical, LLC. He completed his Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology from Montana State University. He has experience conducting field and laboratory tests of concrete, soils, aggregates, and asphalt according to all ASTM and AASHTO standards.

Kurt Heinzen

Driller/Operator

Mr. Heinzen is an experienced equipment operator with 20 plus years of operating experience. He has over two years of drilling experience with Alpine Geotechnical. He is a local and graduated from Columbia Falls High School with a wealth of expertise in the Flathead Valley. Mr. Heinzen is also well versed as a mechanic and is an integral part of Alpine’s operation.

Randi Flaa

Office Manager

Ms. Flaa has over 20 plus years of office management experience. She has 6 years of office administrative experience with Alpine Geotechnical. Ms. Flaa oversees client services, client support, and client contracts.