Barrett Turner keeps our
positive energy flowing
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Meet Barrett
Barrett Turner, our Global Supply Chain Director, is a true self-starter. It’s not surprising that he began his career as an Officer in the U.S. Navy, leading a division of sailors responsible for the maintenance and operation of two missile defense systems. One of his first civilian jobs was working on the Tesla Model 3, a clean energy vehicle that put him on the procurement and logistics path.
“We manage everything from low-dollar parts that can ship with FedEx or DHL all the way to massive turbines or tanks that require dedicated ships”
“I studied engineering at the Naval Academy before joining the Navy, where I worked on missile systems and nuclear power plants on aircraft carriers – not a lot of directly translatable experience to supply chain,” Barrett says. “I got out of the Navy in 2014 and took the first job offered at a tech company in the San Francisco Bay area as a Technical Program Manager. Tesla’s car factory was across the road, and I reached out and asked for an interview. In two weeks, I’d passed the interviews for an entry-level role, which kicked off my supply chain experience.”
He has clearly found his calling in supply chain, specifically the areas of procurement and logistics, which he has led for us at New Fortress Energy since 2019. He helps our project managers and operations teams identify goods or services they may need, negotiates pricing and terms, and manages shipments anywhere in the world.
“I’ve found that asking why things are the way they are usually results in uncovering better solutions or ways to accomplish a task”
“Every supply chain challenge is different, and the job changes daily,” he explains. “We manage everything from low-dollar parts that can ship with FedEx or DHL all the way to massive turbines or tanks that require dedicated ships. Having a technical background definitely helps to understand what we’re buying and how it works in the overall operation. The logistics function can be challenging, especially in the time of COVID. Chartering planes and ships all over the world to ensure our projects start on time has been a new skillset I’ve had the opportunity to develop at NFE. I enjoy the opportunity to develop systems and processes from scratch. You’re entrusted to get the job done; how you get it done is up to you.”
That journey of learning how to master and apply new skills is one of the things that makes supply chain so appealing for Barrett.
“I’m always looking for new challenges and ways to learn,” he says. “I think staying curious makes you a more interesting person, and I’ve found asking why things are the way they are usually results in uncovering better solutions or ways to accomplish a task.”
It’s a skill he’s been honing since his earliest days hanging out with his brother in Little Rock, Ark.
“I learned everything from him, including what good music is – 90s grunge – and what to do and not do to keep the parents happy,” Barrett says with a smile. “Over the past 10 years, my wife has been my biggest influence. She’s a great inspiration and has the perfect combination of tenacity, smarts, and kindness. She and my son fill me with positive energy.”
Growing up in Arkansas also inspired his love for the great outdoors.
“I spent a lot of time outside – camping, hunting, fishing, being in Boy Scouts,” he recalls. “It’s a perfect state for that, and a great place to grow up. I still love outdoor activities, and one day I hope to run in the New York City Marathon and take some long-distance hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail.”
We’re grateful that Barrett brings his uniquely engaging and powerful talents to keep things moving – literally – at New Fortress Energy every day.
