Our Executive Team
Guided by our CLICC Values - Care for People, Leadership, Integrity, Collaboration and Customer Service - we encourage every employee to lead through action, intent and accountability. Our Executive Leadership Team fosters a culture where team success is prioritised over individual achievement, and where clarity of purpose empowers people to thrive, even in complex and dynamic environments.
Noel Cornish AM, BSc, MEngSc, FAICD, FUOW
Board Chair
HVCCC Chairman Noel Cornish AM is one of Australia's foremost business leaders.
Originally from Newcastle, Noel has achieved notable international and Australian business success across multiple sectors, including roles as President, Northstar BHP LLC in the USA and Chief Executive of Bluescope Steel's Australian and New Zealand businesses.
Since his retirement from executive duties Noel has held a number of non-executive positions.
He is currently Chair of AML3D Ltd, University of Newcastle Pro-Chancellor and Council Member and a director of Whiskey Project Group Ltd.
His former roles include Chair IMB Bank, Chair Snowy Hydro Ltd, National President Ai Group and Deputy Chancellor University of Wollongong.
In 2017 Noel was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to business as an advocate for industry policy and development, to tertiary education administration and to the community.
Pat Cooper AM, CSC, GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Pat Cooper joined HVCCC in 2019 after 30 years as an Air Traffic Control Officer in the Australian Defence Force. Pat held several command, leadership and management appointments often to safely integrate the competing needs of commercial and military aviation. This is a solid foundation for leading HVCCC which integrates the best people, processes and technology to optimise the world's largest coal export operation.
Pat holds a Master of Arts (Strategy and Management) from UNSW and he possesses a passion for improving team contribution and enjoyment at work. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2011 Australia Day Honours and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Pat is very happily married to Jodi. In his spare time, Pat rides his 'postie' bikes on charity fundraising adventures, and as a family, they love snow skiing.
Barry Arens EMBA, GradDip AssetMgmt, BEng (Hons)
Capacity and Performance Manager
Barry is a senior infrastructure and operations leader with more than 25 years' experience across the coal, port, logistics and heavy industrial sectors. He brings deep expertise in asset management, operations, engineering and major project delivery, with a strong track record of leading complex organisations through periods of change.
After graduating from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Mechanical Engineering, Barry built his early career at Port Waratah Coal Services before progressing into senior leadership roles within Hydro Aluminium and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG). At NCIG, Barry has held multiple executive roles, including Manager - Operations and Manager - Assets and Infrastructure, with accountability for engineering, technology, major projects and the long-term stewardship of multi-billion-dollar physical and digital infrastructure assets.
Barry is known for his pragmatic and values-based leadership approach, with a strong focus on safety, governance, operational resilience and continuous improvement. He has extensive experience working with Boards and industry stakeholders and has represented organisations across key Hunter Valley coal chain forums, including as an Alternate Director of the HVCCC.
Barry holds an Executive MBA (Distinction), a Graduate Diploma in Asset Management and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing touch football, and restoring motorcycles and cars.
Kyle Rollinson BEng (Chem) (Hons)
Service Delivery Manager
Kyle has worked at the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator since January 2018. Commencing as a Service Delivery Coordinator before being promoted to Service Delivery Lead, Kyle joined the Executive Leadership Team in December 2022.
Kyle has over sixteen years' experience in engineering, continuous improvement and leadership across FMCG, Manufacturing and Logistics industries. Among his qualifications Kyle holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) with Honours from University of Newcastle.
As Service Delivery Manager Kyle leads the team that produces the plans and schedules that ensure the cooperative alignment of maintenance, track and trains, stockpiles and vessels from 12 weeks out and into Day of Operations.
Kyle enjoys family time by living the coastal lifestyle and keeping active with his kids, and surfing and running to keep himself healthy.
Evan Harris GAICD
Digital & Technology Manager
Evan has been with HVCCC since 2017, holding a variety of roles focused on strengthening technology, strategy and governance. With more than 20 years' experience, he has led major uplift across critical systems and services to enable effective coal chain coordination and deliver member value.
Evan is responsible for the technology capability that underpins HVCCC's operations and member services, ensuring the platforms, systems and delivery practices required for day-to-day coal chain coordination are secure, reliable and continuously improving. The team spans cyber security, software engineering, data and analytics, systems integration and the PMO, with a strong focus on dependable service delivery and the time-critical exchange of operational information between HVCCC and member organisations.
With foundations in software development and user experience design, Evan has held technical and leadership roles across mining and industrial sectors spanning software engineering, systems integration, product ownership, and project, program and portfolio delivery. He brings a pragmatic technology transformation lens, modernising mission-critical planning capability, strengthening cyber maturity, and improving how HVCCC delivers change to support resilient operations and sustained member value. Evan is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management with Griffith University.
Outside of work, Evan enjoys cooking, great food and planning the next travel adventure.
Julie Thomas MBus, BBus, GAICD, JP
Corporate Services Manager
Julie Thomas joined HVCCC in 2020 with a background as a senior executive in mining, manufacturing, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), smelting and utilities industries. Julie has worked in national and international roles across the Asia Pacific in brownfield and greenfield projects including Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group.
Julie leads the Corporate Services Team whose responsibilities include Human Resources, Risk Management, Facilities, Communications and Strategic and Business Planning.
Julie holds a Master of Business (Human Resource Management) from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Business from University of Newcastle, as well as workplace coaching and business leadership qualifications with a focus on workplace culture, leadership, change management and ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementations. Julie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Non-executive Director on the board of Reach Homeless Services.
Personally, Julie has a keen interest in water sports, family, travel, health and fitness.