executive committee
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AACC PRESIDENT
Christina Staib is the President of Tarcoola Ventures LLC. Most recently, Christina led finance sector engagement for an international climate change think tank focused on carbon capture and storage. Prior to that, Christina worked in energy finance in addition to more than 20 years at a major environmental, engineering, and construction consulting firm. She has held global strategic, business development, and client management roles in oil & gas and other business sectors in the US and Australia. Christina is a graduate of the Florida State University (B.S. Civil Engineering), a Professional Engineer – Civil (Florida), and has a Certificate in Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School (BGI Seattle). She has lived in Adelaide and Perth. Christina serves as President for the Australian American Chamber of Commerce - Texas. |
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AACC VICE PRESIDENT
Paul Habelko is General Manager Opportunity Shaping, Chevron Capital Projects. Paul graduated from the Australian National University, Canberra in 1981 with a B.Sc. (with Honours) in Geology. He also holds an MBA from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. Upon graduation Paul joined Exxon as a Geophysicist. After completing his MBA at INSEAD in 1991 he worked for Gaffney, Cline and Associates, London, as Senior Consultant in the international energy arena and was engaged on numerous assignments globally including projects for the World Bank and major financial institutions. Paul joined Statoil (now Equinor) in Stavanger, Norway in 1993 as the Manager of Strategic Planning for the company’s International Exploration and Production division. Later he was the International New Ventures Manager and then Commercial Manager for Eastern Europe. Paul joined Chevron Corporation in 2002 as Commercial Manager for the North West Shelf LNG Project in Perth, Australia. He has since been Manager of Strategy and Planning, Global Gas, in San Ramon, California; and the Manager of the Clair and Jade Fields, Aberdeen, Scotland. He took up his current position in 2015 in which capacity he oversees the company’s non-operated Major Capital Projects in the Gulf of Mexico, including the Mad Dog and Whale field developments. Paul is a long standing member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). Although they “still call Australia home”, Paul and his wife Joanne and their two sons Frederick and Theo, reside in Houston, Texas. |
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AACC TREASURER
Sean Kelleher is the Chief Financial Officer - Clean Energy & Infrastructure at MasTec. Prior to MasTec Sean was the the Senior Group Director of Finance for Worley in the America’s. In this role Sean was the Operational CFO responsible for providing finance and commercial services as well as business partnering support to operational leaders for Worley’s businesses throughout the USA, Canada, Central and South America. Prior to this, Sean was responsible for the Major Projects and Integrated Solutions businesses globally and held numerous senior finance positions with GrainCorp in Australia. He has over 15 Years’ experience across a multitude of energy sectors including Oil and Gas, Minerals and Metals, Power and New Energy and has experience with consulting efforts through to major capital projects. Sean holds a Bachelor of Business degree (Accounting) from the University of New England and is a member of CPA Australia. |
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AACC SECRETARY
Richard Gibbs is the founder and director of the Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC), established at Baylor College of Medicine in 1996. Richard was born in Australia and graduated from Melbourne University in 1986 in Genetics and Radiation Biology. He moved to the USA to Baylor College of Medicine, where he performed key work on the molecular characterization of human genetic disease and provided an early leadership role for the Human Genome Project (HGP). In 1997 he founded the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC), one of five main groups to complete the HGP. The HGSC then led many genome projects for model species and contributed to the Mammalian Gene Collection, the Hapmap Project, the 1000 Genomes Project and the Cancer Genome Atlas. Since 2005, the group pioneered Personal Genomics, beginning with the personal genome sequences of James Watson and James Lupski and then developing the now ubiquitously used DNA exome capture technologies to create the first Genetics Diagnostics Laboratory to be based on whole gene sequencing. The group has made innumerable Mendelian disease gene discoveries and is now focused on accelerating clinical translation of genomics in adult care, via cardiovascular disease risk testing. Gibbs was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2011 and was recognized as one of the 400 most influential biomedical scientists in the world in 2013 (Eur J. Clin. Invest. 2014). |
board of directors
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Dr. Bob Cook is an executive scientist with over 25 years of experience in the life sciences and oncology fields with proven leadership of successful R&D and Medical Affairs teams. He has led the conceptualization, development and clinical implementation of eight diagnostic tests and has extensive experience developing long-lasting KOL interactions and collaborations, effective clinical messaging, and required materials for Medicare reimbursement and guideline inclusion.
Bob received his B.S. degree from Temple University, Molecular Biology, and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cellular Biology. He also attended the Harvard Medical School Executive Education, Global Healthcare Leaders Program. In addition, Bob has authored over 40 peer reviewed publications, is an avid conference speaker and holds three US patents. |
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Sean Hanrahan is the founder and Managing Partner of Platypus Brewing, a craft brewery and brewpub established in 2016 and located in Houston Texas. Prior to the establishment of the brewery Sean spent 18 years with BHP and independent management consulting working in both Australia and USA in the capacity as a commercial executive and Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestments. Sean has over 27 years’ experience across a multitude of natural resource commodities including oil and gas, copper, uranium, gold, silver and metallurgical coal.
Prior to BHP Sean worked in Chartered Accounting in Brisbane, Australia. Sean graduated from QUT, Brisbane Australia, with a Bachelor of Business degree (Distinction), subsequently completed a Masters of Business Administration with a major in international finance, and is a member of CPA Australia. |
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Nicholas Gole is Head of Energy Principal Investments for Macquarie Capital’s Infrastructure and Energy Group in the Americas. In this role Nicholas is responsible for balance sheet investments by Macquarie Capital in the energy sector across the Americas.
Nicholas has participated in numerous transactions as both principal investor and financial advisor, these transactions have included both development and operating assets across a broad range of sectors. Most recently Nicholas was lead on the Gulf Coast Ammonia project where Macquarie Capital was both the developer and financial advisor in a first of kind petrochemical transaction. Further Nicholas was a lead advisor to Freeport LNG on their development of three liquefaction trains on Quintana Island Texas, which closed in late 2014 and represents one of the largest non-recourse project financing in recent years.” |
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Melissa Langley is an expert at connecting organizations, building networks, and bringing key stakeholders & businesses together to ensure long term, mutually beneficial outcomes are achieved. She has over two decades of experience in the professional & client services sectors and is currently with K&L Gates, a global law firm, where she leads a client services business unit. Skilled at providing strategic advice specific to a business unit; coaching senior partners and business leaders in the development and winning of business; building longstanding outside networks with senior executives and leading teams across industries and markets, Melissa has developed a loyal following and a reputation for delivering on expectations and aligning her customer’s needs to the best possible outcomes.
Prior to K&L Gates, Melissa spent over 15 years with the Chartered Accountancy firm Grant Thornton where she worked in the Taxation and Forensic accountancy departments, which led her to develop the client & professional services framework that she is known for today. Melissa is a Chartered Accountant, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the holder of a Bachelor of Business (International Business) QUT, and a Master’s of Professional Accounting, QUT. Originally from Noosa, Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Melissa, her husband Philip and their two sons Harrison and Sebastian now live in Dallas, TX. |
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Daniel Law is the Global Head of Strategy at Worley. In this role he shapes strategy at Board and executive levels while leading major initiatives to optimize portfolios, enhance operational performance, and accelerate growth.
As a senior executive of a $10BN+ listed, global engineering and professional services leader, Daniel brings a proven track record of driving enterprise-level transformations, commercial growth and long-term value creation in the Energy and Industrial sectors. |
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Russ Macumber is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Impressive USA a SEO & Paid Media agency for B2C brands, headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Brands that Impressive have worked with include Hertz, Dine Brands, Acer, Mattell, Still Austin, Corkcicle and many more. Russ' strength is translating digital marketing speak into meaningful, understandable language for marketers and non-marketers alike. Russ has delivered keynotes, presentations, workshops and more to the world's biggest brands in New York, LA, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Brisbane, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Denver. He grew up in small businesses (and is a serial founder himself), so connecting the dots between digital-speak and real business outcomes is his passion and what he does best. |
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Eric Schmauch is the new Regional Sales Director for United Airlines based in Houston, Texas. In this role, Mr. Schmauch will oversee the corporate sales & strategy for the company’s long-time hometown hub in Houston as well as expanding geography including Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Although growing up in Missouri City, TX, Mr. Schmauch has spent most of his United career in the Midwest in various leadership positions. Most recently leading the Rocky Mountain Sales effort as well as their worldwide Specialty Sales area including Meeting and Incentive, Government and Military, University Sales, as well as developing a brand-new industry leading Acquisition sales team focused solely on new business development. Prior to that he was the Director of Sales in Chicago as well as 23 years in various other leadership positions for Continental Airlines. Schmauch has been on the Board of Directors of the Houston First Corporation for several years, has been married to his wife Mary for 29 years, and they have two wonderful children, Veronica and EJ who both live in Dallas. |
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HONORARY CONSUL EMERITUS OF AUSTRALIA
Nana Booker AM was Australia’s first Honorary Consul Emeritus, after having served as Honorary Consul of Australia for the State of Texas from December 1999 until 31 March 2015, and the opening of the Australian Consulate-General in Houston. She was named a Member of the Order of Australia in April 2005. Prior to her appointment as Honorary Consul, she had a lengthy career in public relations and marketing, as well as in government service and academia. Since 2002, she has owned Booker-Lowe Gallery, now the oldest and largest Aboriginal art gallery in the Americas. She is a Chancellor of the Consular Corps College, serves on the Board of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Glassell School and Houston Grand Opera, and is an advisor to international and arts organizations. |
ex officio board members
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AACC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Amy Conacher has served as Executive Director of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) since 2017, bringing a deep personal and professional connection to both Australia and the United States. Having lived in each country for more than 15 years, Amy is passionate about strengthening bilateral ties and fostering meaningful connections between Australian and U.S. businesses and communities. American by birth, Amy spent 20 years living overseas in Jakarta and Perth as part of an oil and gas family before relocating to Houston in 1997. Her global upbringing and international perspective have shaped her commitment to building strong, trusted networks across borders. Prior to joining the Chamber, Amy spent two decades in the education sector, working as a teacher, facilitator, trainer, consultant, and business owner. Her professional experience includes roles with Heinemann Publishing and STEPS Professional Development, as well as founding Dragonfly Educational Consulting. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Edith Cowan University in Perth and a Bachelor of Education (Honors) from the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle. |
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Gabrielle Hall is Australia’s Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner to Houston, Texas. Her current sectors of focus include energy, health and space and consular remit covers the USA’s southern states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Prior to landing in Houston, Gabrielle most recently worked in Austrade’s Investment Division focused on attracting productive foreign direct investment from the Americas region to Australia. She has also previously been A/g Trade Commissioner in Santiago, Chile and completed short-term assignments with Austrade in Mexico (2019) and Colombia (2016). Gabrielle also has deep trade experience having supported a broad range of Australian exporters with their international strategies, through her time in Austrade’s Trade Division. Prior to joining Austrade, Gabrielle worked as a locally engaged staff member for the foreign governments of Uruguay and Chile in Australia. Gabrielle has an energetic toddler and speaks fluent Spanish. |
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Drew Dainer is Deputy Consul-General, Australian Consulate-General in Houston. Drew is a career officer with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Prior to his deployment as Deputy Consul-General in Houston, he was Acting Director and Assistant Director in DFAT’s Latin America and Caribbean Section. He has had previous postings as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassies in Colombia and Portugal and was Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Chile. His roles in Canberra have included Assistant Director in the Office of Trade Negotiations, and Media Liaison and Parliamentary Officer.
Drew is a graduate of the University of Canberra and completed an exchange program at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico City. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese. He is married to Amanda. |
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Regina Johnson is Deputy Director, Americas, for the South Australia Department of State Development (DSD). Her role is to promote export opportunities for South Australian companies in the US and Canada for. In addition, she assists US and Canadian companies in navigating the logistics for setting up their international operations in South Australia. She works across all business sectors, including energy, space, defence, creative industries, health & medical, food, wine, and agribusiness.
Prior to joining SA DSD, Regina was Head of the Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure for the UK Department for International Trade. Regina holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Business Administration. In addition, she is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). |
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Brianna Peake is the Investment and Trade Commissioner for the Americas for Invest and Trade Western Australia. In her role, Brianna and her team in the United States work to attract investment and grow trade opportunities for Western Australian businesses within the Americas region.
Brianna has over 20 years experience in agribusiness and food supply chains, stakeholder engagement, international trade relations, operational management, sustainability, community investment and customer service. In her previous role with CBH Group, she managed relationships with local, state and federal Governments and regulators as well as international companies. Most recently, Brianna was the Chief Stakeholder Relations, Sustainability and Strategy Officer at CBH Group where she was responsible for Corporate Affairs, Government and Industry Relations, Grower Relations, Sustainability, and Strategy. She is an alumni of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Finance. |
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