Executive Team

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Executive Team

Samantha McCulloch

Chief Executive

Victor Violante

General Manager External Affairs

Tracey Pinto

General Manager Corporate

Julie Hood

General Manager Member Relations & Events

Brendan Beck

General Manager Policy

Keld Knudsen

General Manager States & Territories, Director Qld

Richard Ellis

Director Western Australia

Peter Kos

Director Victoria & New South Wales

Chief Executive

Samantha McCulloch

An internationally recognised figure in the world of CCUS, Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch brings more than 20 years of expertise from previous roles within government, industry associations and the private sector, both in Australia and overseas.

General Manager External Affairs

Victor Violante

Victor has a strong government relations, policy and communications background. He has a comprehensive knowledge of Australia’s government and media landscape, legislative and regulatory processes and policy reform.

General Manager Corporate

Tracey Pinto

Tracey oversees the organisation’s financial, corporate, and operational functions. A Chartered Accountant, she has previous experience in tax and business services within accounting firms, where she gained valuable expertise in financial management, compliance, and strategic planning.

General Manager Member Relations & Events

Julie Hood

Julie is responsible for ensuring Australian Energy Producers delivers maximum engagement and information sharing for its members. She also directs our events team, delivering top-quality oil and gas industry events, in particular the flagship Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition.

General Manager Policy

Brendan Beck

Brendan leads our work program on net zero technologies, including carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) and clean hydrogen. Brendan has over 20 years of experience in the field, both in Australia and globally, including previous roles with the World Bank and the International Energy Agency.

General Manager States & Territories, Director Qld

Keld Knudsen

Keld is an experienced policy and government relations professional with an in-depth understanding of the upstream petroleum industry, energy markets and related policy issues. Keld has held positions in government, industry and representative associations.

Director Western Australia

Richard Ellis

Richard is a seasoned energy advocate and communications leader across government, industry, and professional services. His career spans senior roles at the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal, ExxonMobil and EY. He was also APPEA’s WA Director from 2006–2009.

Director Victoria & New South Wales

Peter Kos

Peter has three decades of experience in government relations, policy, communications and media relations. He is responsible for leading advocacy and policy development for the Australian Energy Producers in Victoria and New South Wales.

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Executive Team

Samantha McCulloch

Victor Violante

Tracey Pinto

Julie Hood

Brendan Beck

Keld Knudsen

Richard Ellis

Peter Kos

Stay in the loop