About Alton Drilling

Cory Ibbotson

CEO

Cory is the dynamic CEO and owner of Alton Drilling. With over two decades of experience in engineering, operations, and strategic management, Cory has been pivotal in driving the company's growth and innovation, establishing Alton Drilling as a leader in the industry.

Under his leadership, Alton Drilling has successfully expanded its global operations by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and maintaining a strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. Cory's strategic vision is centered on achieving operational excellence while building robust partnerships with clients, stakeholders and local communities.

Cory is proud of the exceptional team he has built, achieving a level of success never before seen in New Zealand's drilling industry history.

Sarah Keenan

Executive Assistant

Since joining Alton Drilling in 2018, Sarah has played a key role in the company's continued growth, strengthening both its human resources and operational administration functions. As Executive Assistant, she provides strategic support to the CEO and leadership team, helping to drive the successful delivery of business objectives and day-to-day operations.

Sarah leads the administration team, providing guidance and leadership to ensure systems, processes, and compliance are maintained to the high standards expected at Alton Drilling. Her organised approach and attention to detail help keep the business running efficiently while supporting teams across the organisation.

With a comprehensive understanding of Alton Drilling's operations, Sarah is a trusted point of contact across all areas of the business. She is passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the company's values are reflected in everything the team does.

Sarah's professionalism, dedication, and commitment to continuous improvement make her an invaluable member of the leadership team. Her contributions continue to support Alton Drilling's long-term success and the strong culture that underpins the company.

Kelvin Trask

Contracts Manager

Kelvin has been a valued member of the Alton Drilling team since 2009 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the drilling industry. His extensive industry knowledge and practical understanding of drilling operations have made him an integral part of the company's continued success.

As Contracts Manager, Kelvin is responsible for overseeing client contracts from initial quotation through to project delivery. He works closely with clients and operational teams to develop accurate, competitive proposals while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and to the high standards Alton Drilling is known for.

Known for his attention to detail and strong client focus, Kelvin is committed to building lasting relationships and delivering practical solutions that meet each client's unique requirements. His collaborative approach and operational expertise play a key role in supporting both customer satisfaction and the continued growth of the business.

With a deep understanding of the drilling industry and a commitment to excellence, Kelvin continues to be a trusted leader within Alton Drilling and a valued partner to our clients.

Fabian Harley

North Island Operations Manager

Fabian is Alton Drilling's North Island Operations Manager, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the drilling industry. Throughout his career, he has specialised in surface exploration drilling, working on projects across New Zealand and internationally. His extensive experience includes geotechnical, seismic, coal exploration, and deep-hole diamond drilling projects.

In his role, Fabian oversees Alton Drilling's North Island operations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality. He works closely with clients, drilling crews, and project stakeholders to ensure operational excellence while maintaining compliance with company procedures and industry best practices.

Known for his practical leadership and wealth of industry knowledge, Fabian is committed to building strong relationships, supporting his teams, and delivering successful outcomes for clients. His proactive approach, technical expertise, and focus on continuous improvement make him an integral part of Alton Drilling's leadership team.

Chris Carter

South Island Operations Manager

Chris brings more than 16 years of experience in the drilling industry, having worked across a diverse range of projects throughout New Zealand. His expertise spans mineral and coal exploration, geotechnical and helicopter-supported geotechnical drilling, oil and gas operations, seismic and heli-seismic drilling, and water bore installation. Chris has also successfully delivered challenging remote drilling projects in Fiji, demonstrating his adaptability and ability to perform in demanding environments.

As South Island Operations Manager, Chris oversees Alton Drilling's drilling operations across the South Island, managing multiple projects while maintaining a strong presence in the field. His hands-on leadership ensures projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard, with a focus on operational performance, resource management, and client satisfaction.

Known for his practical approach and strong technical knowledge, Chris excels at solving complex operational challenges and supporting his teams to achieve outstanding results. He is passionate about developing people, fostering a positive team culture, and maintaining Alton Drilling's reputation for quality, safety, and reliability.

With extensive industry experience and a commitment to continuous improvement, Chris is a valued leader within Alton Drilling and plays a key role in delivering successful drilling projects throughout New Zealand.

Ralph Keenan

Senior Training Manager

Ralph brings more than 40 years of experience in the drilling industry, with extensive expertise across geotechnical, mineral exploration, geothermal well control, and site investigation drilling. His wealth of technical knowledge and practical experience has established him as a highly respected leader within the industry.

As Alton Drilling's Training and Competency Lead, Ralph is responsible for developing and delivering training programmes that ensure our workforce is skilled, competent, and equipped to operate safely in the field. With a strong focus on health and safety, risk management, and continuous improvement, he plays a key role in maintaining the high standards expected across all areas of our operations.

Ralph holds recognised qualifications in drilling operations and is both a qualified NZQA Workplace Assessor and a registered MITO Workplace Assessor for non-hydrocarbon drilling. His commitment to developing people and promoting best practice ensures our teams receive industry-leading training and ongoing professional development.

Passionate about mentoring the next generation of drillers, Ralph is instrumental in building a culture of learning, safety, and operational excellence. His leadership and expertise continue to strengthen Alton Drilling's reputation for delivering highly trained, capable, and safety-focused drilling professionals.

Kayla Norton

Occupational Health Nurse (Registered Nurse)

New Occupational Health Nurse (Registered Nurse) to follow...

Nathan McGowan

Workshop & Logistics Manager

Nathan brings more than 20 years of experience in the mining and drilling industries. Beginning his career in Western Australia in 2005 as a Light Vehicle Fitter, he quickly advanced to become a Heavy Diesel Mobile Plant Fitter, building extensive experience across both underground and open-pit mining operations.

Throughout his career, Nathan has worked with a wide range of heavy equipment, including Sandvik and Atlas Copco drill rigs, Komatsu machinery, and Montabert blast rigs. His experience has taken him from the mining regions of Kalgoorlie to remote projects in Mongolia before returning home to New Zealand, where he has held key roles in maintenance, safety, and workshop leadership. Prior to joining Alton Drilling, Nathan was the Workshop Supervisor for BGC Contracting in Western Australia.

Having been with Alton Drilling for more than seven years, Nathan has played an instrumental role in the company's growth and the ongoing development of its maintenance operations. His practical approach, technical expertise, and commitment to reliability help ensure the company's drilling fleet is maintained to the highest standards, supporting safe and efficient operations across New Zealand.

Nathan's wealth of industry experience and dedication to continuous improvement make him a valued leader and an integral part of the Alton Drilling team.

Gaylene Jujnovich

Human Resource & Payroll Specialist

Gaylene joined Alton Drilling in 2024, bringing extensive experience in New Zealand employment relations, payroll, and human resources. With a strong background spanning Human Resources, Payroll, Occupational Health and Safety, and business administration, she plays a key role in supporting both our people and day-to-day business operations.

As People & Payroll Manager, Gaylene oversees a broad range of functions, including talent acquisition, payroll management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance development, organisational effectiveness, and workplace culture. Her comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation ensures Alton Drilling maintains best practice while supporting a positive and compliant workplace.

Passionate about creating an environment where people can thrive, Gaylene is committed to delivering exceptional support to employees and leaders across the business. Her approachable nature, professionalism, and attention to detail make her an integral member of the Alton Drilling team, helping to strengthen the culture and support the company's continued growth.

Jay Wood

Training Advisor

Jay brings more than 15 years of experience in the drilling industry, with a strong background in mineral exploration across both surface and underground operations. He began his career in surface drilling before spending more than a decade specialising in underground drilling, gaining extensive experience operating both mobile and stationary drill rigs.

As a Training Advisor, Jay travels throughout New Zealand providing onsite coaching, mentoring, and technical support to drilling crews. He plays a key role in developing personnel, improving drilling practices, and ensuring our teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to operate safely and efficiently. Jay is also responsible for developing and maintaining training resources that support the ongoing growth and evolving needs of the business.

Jay holds a Certificate III in Drilling Operations from the Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee (ADITC) and is a qualified NZQA Workplace Trainer and Assessor. His passion for developing people, combined with his extensive operational experience, makes him an invaluable resource for both new and experienced members of the Alton Drilling team.