Jim Wood
Board Member
Focus
Strategic oversight, energy policy guidance, capital markets insight, and executive-level support for large-scale energy infrastructure development and multinational repository initiatives.
Bio
Jim Wood is a senior energy executive with more than four decades of leadership across the commercial energy sector, federal government, and academia. He has served as CEO of multiple public and private corporations, including ThermoEnergy Corporation and Babcock Power Inc., which he co-founded and grew from $300 million to over $1 billion in revenue following a strategic acquisition and recapitalization. He also served as President and COO of Babcock & Wilcox, with worldwide operational responsibility.
In federal service, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he oversaw the Clean Coal Program and managed a $2.4 billion large-scale demonstration portfolio. He later directed the West Virginia University Energy Institute, where he led major research initiatives in advanced energy systems, rare earth elements, shale energy, geothermal feasibility, and US-China clean energy collaboration.
Experience
- Energy Consultant, Crooked River Investments LLC (2023): Advises on energy engineering, executive strategy, and investment initiatives.
- Director, West Virginia University Energy Institute (2014 – 2023): Led strategic research programs and federal partnerships; provided Senate testimony on energy policy (2019 – 2020).
- Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (2009 – 2013): Managed Clean Coal Program ($450-500M annually) and $2.4B demonstration portfolio.
- Chairman, President & CEO, ThermoEnergy Corporation (2013 – 2014): Led publicly traded clean-water and combustion-technology company.
- Co-Founder, President & CEO, Babcock Power Inc. (2001 – 2009): Acquired and recapitalized U.S. assets; grew revenue to >$1B.
- President & COO, Babcock & Wilcox (1996 – 2001): Global operational and product responsibility.
- Senior Vice President, Wheelabrator Technologies (1988 – 1996): Led waste-to-energy independent power operations and business development.
- Various Board Roles: Detroit Renewable Power; Green Conversion Systems (Audit Committee; Chair, Compensation Committee); Battelle Energy Advisory Board; Enporion.
Education
- MBA, International Business & Finance, Kent State University (completed while working full-time; Beta Gamma Sigma honor society)
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, Clarkson University
Affiliations
- Member (appointed), U.S. National Coal Council (FACA Committee)
- Member, Executive Committee, National Coal Council
- Member, Board of Trustees, Clarkson University
- Life Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- Former Member, West Virginia Governor’s Employment Task Force