Gene Wood is leading offshore with positive energy
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Meet Gene
Whether he’s problem-solving complex LNG systems offshore or planning his next outdoor adventure, Walter “Gene” Wood, Jr., leads with the same core principles he’s carried since childhood: honor, reliability, curiosity, and a commitment to people and the planet.
After spending his first five years in northern Louisiana, Gene relocated with his family to Victoria, Texas, where he recalls good memories, good friends, and plenty of good times outdoors.
His father has been his most lasting influence. “He taught me that being early isn’t optional — it’s a sign of respect,” Gene says. “I still show up 30 minutes early to just about everything!”
In addition to following his father’s advice, he also followed his father into the world of an offshore career, which helped satisfy his intense curiosity about how things — especially anything mechanical or electronic — work. Armed with a degree in instrumentation technology from Texas State Technical College, he soon found additional mentors who further encouraged him to always be dependable, work safely, and lead by example.
Gene has so far spent more than 28 years in the oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries. For the past two years, he’s worked with us at New Fortress Energy. He’s now our Crew Maintenance Superintendent on the floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project based offshore in Altamira, Mexico.
“From commissioning and construction through to full offshore operations, I’ve been part of the process every step of the way,” he says. “It’s been rewarding to help the team hit milestones like achieving vessel certification with Lloyd’s Register and delivering the project’s first LNG cargo. There’s real satisfaction that comes from seeing a project safely completed and running the way it was meant to. This is my first foreign assignment, and the technicians I work with are some of the best in the industry.”
Through this role, he is pursuing powerful, high-impact goals — and having fun doing it.
“The FLNG1 project is just plain cool,” he notes proudly. “As someone who loves the outdoors and looks forward to doing more traveling, maybe even taking on the ultimate adventure on a remote lake in the Alaskan wilderness, I believe LNG plays a key role in protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations. Being part of that shift feels meaningful. I’m proud to support NFE’s innovative vision and willingness to do things differently.”
The work also resonates strongly with him on a personal level.
“The people mean the most to me,” he said. “I’ve had the privilege of mentoring technicians, and seeing them succeed is something I’ll always value. The friendships I’ve made along the way are just as important as the work itself.”
For Gene, even with the intensely technical aspects of his career, it really does all come back to the people.
“At the end of the day, it’s simple — family, purpose, and pride in the work keep me grounded and give me the energy to keep moving forward, no matter how tough the job gets,” he says.
