2013 40 Under 40: Brian Butler, 38

Associate Principal/Senior Mechanical Engineer, Interface Engineering, Portland, Ore.

By Jessia DuBois-Maahs, Contributing Writer May 14, 2013

Brian Butler, PE, LEED AP, 38

Associate Principal/Senior Mechanical Engineer, Interface Engineering, Portland, Ore.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BS Mechanical Engineering

With a passion for both sustainable design and the Pacific Northwest, Brian Butler leads a team of engineers in discovering innovative ways to achieve even greater energy efficiency and water conservation on all of his projects. Some of his projects include the design of mechanical systems for K-12 schools, university buildings, government facilities, and commercial centers in the areas of both sustainable system design and building commissioning. Most notably, Butler’s significantly contributed to renovating and expanding the University of Portland’s Shiley Hall, which achieved LEED Platinum. He then took his experience planning and constructing the university’s environmentally friendly building and helped novice engineers at the University of Portland strive for similar LEED achievement through a presentation titled, “Shiley Hall: Energy Strategies to Achieve LEED Platinum.” Outside of work, Butler volunteers his time as an ACE Mentor Program mentor, where he coaches and presents to students pursuing a career in the engineering field. Through his volunteer efforts, Butler hopes to impart in young engineers the importance of sustainability and creating eco-friendly solutions through design. When he is outside of the office, Butler often soaks in the Pacific Northwest through backpacking, skiing, and hiking.