The principals of Sassafras Group are Tim Olding and Dr Jo Sasse. They have been operating Sassafras Group since 2004 with Jo specialising in forestry (tree improvement and deployment) and Tim focusing on technology, for tree breeding services in Australia transport energy policy and renewable energy projects. It is a unique combination of skills that we can apply to a wide range of sectors, with a focus on improving the use of energy and reducing or sequestering carbon emissions.
Tim Olding
Tim has a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Swinburne University and more than 25 years of industry experience in the fields of engine testing, design, project management, advanced vehicle development, transport technology assessment and policy development. A significant portion of this time was spent working at General Motors, both in Australia and overseas. Tim left GM in 2008 and commenced full time consultancy work within the Sassafras Group. Since then Tim has worked on a diverse range of projects related to alternative fuels, electric vehicles and stints as Chief Engineer of EV Engineering which built a fleet of pioneering fully electric commodores and Axiflux which is developing advanced permanent magnet electric machines. This has allowed him to keep fully abreast of the trends in transportation technology and their impacts on transport energy consumption, emissions and policy.
Tim is also a CEC accredited designer of commercial PV systems and can support your electrical contracting or sales business in developing, designing and delivering commercial solar projects.
Dr Jo Sasse
Jo has a Bachelor of Forest Science and PhD from the University of Melbourne and is a Registered Professional Forester with over 25 years of applied research experience, mostly in tree improvement and deployment of temperate plantation species. Jo also has qualifications in editing and publishing, and a particular interest in scientific and technical editing. She has experience in applied research in both Australia and internationally (New Zealand, Japan, Portugal, China), and has worked closely with government agencies, private industry and universities. Jo leads the Sassafras Group’s activities in analytical and technical services to the plantation forestry sector, where our focus is on undertaking rigorous analysis, reporting effectively to clients and applying outcomes to improve performance.