Executive Leadership Team

Riarna Sheridan

MBA, GradCertMgmt, DipBldgSurv, Cert IV Training & Assessment

Riarna Sheridan brings over 18 years of experience in local government and private sector town planning, spanning across the areas of town planning, building certification, governance, regulatory, waste and project management.  She has held leadership roles across multiple councils, driving reforms to improve service delivery, streamline processes and enhance community outcomes.

Before her role as Director of Place and Growth at Glen Innes Severn Council, Riarna co-founded and managed a private town planning firm and prior to that a private building certification business, delivering a wide range of projects across NSW.  She also served on the Board of Regional Development Australia’s Northern Inland branch for four years, including two as Treasurer, supporting regional economic growth initiatives throughout the New England of NSW.

Riarna holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Graduate Certificate in Management and a Diploma of Building Surveying—where she was recognised as 'Most Outstanding Student of the Year’.  She has also earned a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Statement of Attainment in Project Management and various local government governance, town planning and building certification short course qualifications.

With a leadership style grounded in collaboration, innovation and strong governance, Riarna is committed to delivering practical, results-driven solutions that supports sustainable, liveable and well-planned communities.

Lindsay Woodland 

Lindsay Woodland is an outstanding business leader with 25 years of executive experience in councils, government-owned corporations, and ASX Top 100 companies, including Armidale Regional Council as Director, Organisational Services, and the City of Parramatta as Executive Director, City Engagement and Experience.

Lindsay brings extensive executive leadership experience to Glen Innes Severn Council, with expertise across corporate services functions, including finance, IT and procurement; people, safety and culture; governance and risk; community and customer services; and marketing and economic development.

Lindsay’s breadth of experience is complemented by sound financial and commercial management skills; expertise in organisational transformation and cultural change; and significant experience in stakeholder and government relations. Lindsay offers a strong track record of transforming organisations into high-performing teams and brings a strong customer and community focus to executive management roles.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.

The Department of Corporate and Community Services is comprised of the following sections:

• Administration and Records
• Community Services, which includes:
• Aged and Disability Direct Care
• Brokered and Packaged Care
• Children and Family Services
• Youth Services
• Corporate Risk Management and Compliance
• Finance, including Rates and Corporate Property Management
• Human Resources and Payroll
• Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework
• IT Services
• Library and Learning Centre
• Procurement
• Section 355 Committees of Council
•  Work, Health and Safety and Injury Management 

Alan Butler

With over 30 years of expertise, Alan is an accomplished Local Government Infrastructure and Private Sector Water Utilities Professional, demonstrating exceptional performance in all areas of infrastructure delivery and leadership. 

Alan possesses advanced skills in Water and Wastewater Treatment, People Development and Management, Water Engineering, and Regulatory Compliance. With a background in Operations, Engineering, Optimisation, and Maintenance, reflecting a well-rounded and highly competent professional in their field. Alan volunteers his time to the Water Industry Operations Association (WIOA) where since 2018 he has held the position of New South Wales Advisory Committee Chairman where he supports operators, engineers, manager and likeminded industry colleagues to network and develop for a better future. In 2025 was recognised by WIOA with a prestigious award presented to an individual in recognition of their commitment to the vision and philosophies of the Association and the active promotion of WIOA through distinguished service to the Association.

A dedicated professional in Australian Local Government since 2011, he has taken on senior roles and guided several councils to become more sustainable and efficient in their delivery. Notably, as the Director of Infrastructure & Development at Walcha Council, Alan delivered the construction of the 300ML Off Creek Storage Dam, which was the first drinking water supply dam built in 25 years. 

Alan has written a number of technical papers on new technologies that he has implemented as the solutions to complex situations spearheading innovation and change management. Before moving to Australia, Alan accumulated 23 years of experience at Thames Water Utilities, the largest privately-owned water authority in England. There, he managed extensive teams and oversaw significant advanced water treatment facilities and delivered both large and small infrastructure projects.

The Department of Infrastructure Services is comprised of the following sections:

 Asset Management

•  Asset Management Planning
• Plant and Fleet Maintenance
• Airport Operation & Management
• Building & Property Management
• Emergency Management
• Technical Services 

Integrated Water Services

• Water Abstraction and Storage
• Water Treatment
• Water Reticulation
• Wastewater Collection
• Wastewater Treatment
• Water & Wastewater Sampling & Analysis 
• Stormwater Management (urban)

Infrastructure Delivery

• Design Services
• Roads, Bridges & Culvert Maintenance & Construction
• Stormwater Management (rural)

Glen Innes Aggregates Quarry

• Quarry Operation & Management

Michael Davis

The Department of Place and Growth is comprised of the following sections:

Open Spaces and Recreation

• Parks
• Sporting grounds and facilities
• Cemeteries
• Public Amenities and Cleaning

Economic Development and Tourism

• Economic Development
• Destination Management and Marketing
• Visitor Information Services
• Grants Management

Planning and Regulatory Services

• Urban Planning
• Development Assessment
• Rangers and Compliance
• Waste Management Services

Glen Innes Saleyards

Tabz Malik