It is with the deepest sadness that the ACA Foundation Board of Directors announces the passing of Mike Rutherford on 12.12.2023.
Mike has been an active member of our industry and related associations for more than 30 years. He was a recipient of an ACAF International Scholarship in 2013 and has been a prominent participant and mentor for developing practitioners of corrosion prevention and mitigation throughout his career.
The ACAF & ACA would like to pass on our deepest sympathy and kind thoughts to Mike’s family and to all who have had the pleasure of working with him over his long career.
He will long be remembered – God Bless you Mike and we are sure all would like to share their blessings and prayers with wife Donna and his family.
MIKE RUTHERFORD – CAREER NOTES
ACA Foundation – Mike was appointed as a director of the ACA Foundation (ACAF) in 2021 and in November 2022 was appointed as Chair of The Board of ACAF.
As a director of two industry-based organisations, Mike’s many years of industrial and commercial team experiences has provided positive leadership and mentoring role for his fellow directors. His contributions to growth and beneficial expansion of the industries sustainability will be long remembered.
ACA Queensland – In addition to Mike’s contribution to ACAF at a national level, as an ACA member of more than 20 years Mike has also regularly contributed to ACA industry presentations and branch committee activities in his industry disciplines.
ACRA – Mike was appointed as ACRA Board Vice President in 2021 and in October 2023 he was appointed as President of Australasian Concrete Repair and Remedial Building Association.
Wayne Burns’ first encounter with Mike in the Corrosion Management Industry goes back to 1990.
“Mike was then the National Business Manager for Epirez Construction Products. We called upon Mike on many occasions to assist with technical applications for epoxy resins to be applied to severe operating conditions plus proven die-electric & chemical properties. His advice at the time was very thorough and professional and assisted our folks in making long term recommendations for our industry generally. This is a role he operated in for more than 10 years.”
Mike later moved to a consulting role, providing international advice related to structure reinstatement applications plus concrete remediation applications. He also provided his many years of experience to provide training for related industries.
In 2003 Mike joined as a Director of a North Queensland based Corrosion Consulting Group. Over the following 7 years as a director of the business he continued to provide services and recommendations in concrete remediation as well as technical advice on protective coatings, ground stabilisation and cathodic protection.
In 2010 Mike developed his own consulting group (Conspectus) continuing to provide industry with his well-established expertise in concrete repairs and related issues from inspection to providing specifications and asset maintenance programs, often representing principals in Government projects.
In 2012, Mike accepted a Business Development position with Freyssinet Australia, a position he held for almost 5 years. His expertise in almost every type of industry integrity management application was an obvious advantage in development of many opportunities.
Awards – In November 2013, Mike was awarded an ACA Foundation international scholarship. This enabled him to attend a number of international conferences and research centres globally. On his return he was able to share many of the experiences he gained from that scholarship experience.
In 2017, after 27 years in the national industry, Mike returned to his family-based consulting company Conspectus. As a well-respected consultant and industry mentor, Mike continued to deliver corrosion integrity and asset management advice and services across many facets of government and industry.
He was a real team player and had the ability to lead from the front line. We all mourn his early passing so now the mantle falls on those who remain to ensure that his vision of a vibrant and energetic ACA Foundation will be something that forms a legacy to his memory.
ACAF Announcement – ACAF shall provide an annual scholarship opportunity to an ACA member from 2024. It shall be called the Mike Rutherford Scholarship.