Meet the Team
New Era Energy is supported by an experienced group of advisors spanning aviation, energy, finance, policy, governance, community engagement and infrastructure development.
The team brings deep experience across project development, agriculture, capital markets, defence, aviation operations, and large-scale energy delivery.
Founder & CEO
Renee Wootton Tomlin
Renee is an aerospace engineer and pilot who brings 15 years of experience across aviation, engineering, government and global sustainable fuels, bringing technical credibility and operational realism to one of the world's hardest decarbonisation challenges. She is Australia's first Indigenous aerospace engineer, graduating from the University of New South Wales, and is a proud member of the Tharawal Clan from the South Coast of New South Wales. Renee is currently based on Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country in Townsville, Queensland.
At New Era Energy, Renee's leadership is grounded in long-term stewardship of Country, responsibility to future generations, and a deep commitment to ensuring aviation remains viable, accessible and respected for generations to come. New Era Energy was founded from a simple conviction: if sustainability, reconciliation and energy security matter, they must be built into the foundation of sustainable fuel projects, not added later. New Era Energy brings together engineering rigour, Indigenous governance and commercial discipline to build Australia's future fuels industry deliberately, from the ground up.
Sustainable Agriculture & Indigenous Land Stewardship Advisor
Natalie Sommerville
Natalie is a Wagadagam woman of Mabuyag in Zenadh Kes/Torres Strait Islands, who has lived and worked across Australia. She now farms on Ngadjuri Country in South Australia's Mid North for over 20 years, developing deep practical expertise in dryland cropping and sustainable holistic land management. Her background spans cereals, pulses, horticulture and livestock, with a consistent focus on soil health, alongside broader leadership in agricultural and environmental governance and policy. She holds a degree in Natural Resource Management and Agriculture from the University of Adelaide.
At New Era Energy, Natalie advises on practical agronomy, sustainable land management and culturally grounded approaches to establishing energy crop systems on Country, helping ensure the platform's research is anchored in real-world farming experience and aligned with the aspirations of Traditional Owners.
Strategy and Partnerships Advisor
Sandrine Chevalier
Sandrine brings 20+ years of international leadership experience across energy, infrastructure and the circular economy, with senior roles spanning Europe and Australia. Her expertise covers corporate strategy, decarbonisation, ESG governance, investment, and business model transformation. Sandrine is currently based on Gamaragal Country in Sydney, New South Wales.
At New Era Energy, Sandrine advises on business and capital strategy, investor readiness, and strategic partnerships, helping translate the company's technical progress and feedstock development into a compelling, fundable and bankable growth strategy.
Feedstock Strategy & Governance Advisor
Graeme Potger
Graeme brings 23 years at Qantas, including as Head of Legal (specialising in financing, aircraft procurement and corporate legal matters), a member of the Government Relations team, and, most recently, as the airline's inaugural Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, establishing SAF as a strategic priority, including a $200m SAF Investment Partnership with Airbus. He studied at Murdoch University and is based on Whadjuk Nyoongar Country in Perth, Western Australia.
At New Era Energy, Graeme applies SAF, legal and governance experience to feedstock strategy, workforce planning, and the project's legal and governance foundations as it continues to develop.
Biorefinery & Technical Operations Advisor
Jim Stonecipher
Jim is the Founder and Managing Director of EDYMAC, LLC, advising energy transition and First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects globally. His 30-plus years in industry include Operations Director at Air Liquide and Vice President of Engineering and Operations at Fulcrum BioEnergy, where he grew the operations team from 12 people to more than 100. He is a regular speaker at international SAF and low-carbon fuels conferences.
At New Era Energy, Jim leads biorefinery development and technical operations, overseeing operations, engineering and project delivery, while continuing his techno-economic assessment work, drawing on his FOAK commercialisation and scale-up experience.
Supply Chain & Modelling Advisor
Matthew Overton
Matthew brings 30 years of experience in commercial, residential, hotel, industrial and infrastructure real estate development across Australia and Spain, including 4.5 years most recently on the development of the new Western Sydney International Airport. He holds a Master of Property Development from the University of Technology Sydney and studied at Cornell University in New York. Matthew is currently based on Gadigal Country in Sydney, New South Wales.
At New Era Energy, Matthew focuses on supply chain planning and modelling, drawing on that same development and delivery experience as the project's cost planning, design and procurement needs take shape.