Wes Edens

Wes Edens founded New Fortress Energy in 2014 with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and fostering economic development through universal access to cleaner, affordable, and reliable energy. As CEO, he has led the company’s rapid growth into a fully integrated, global energy leader that is improving the lives of millions through its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, power generation facilities, and logistics assets across the world. With initiatives focused on renewable hydrogen and clean technology, Edens’ long-term vision for the company is to become one of the world’s leading providers of carbon-free power.

Edens is also co-founder and co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, a global investment management firm. Under his leadership, Fortress has developed and owned transportation and infrastructure projects across the world, and built industry-leading businesses in real estate, health care, financial services, media, and entertainment.

He has also been a catalyst for the development of Brightline, the first privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States, connecting Florida cities from Miami to Orlando and providing a second corridor between Southern California and Las Vegas.

Edens served as inaugural co-chair of the Brown School of Public Health Advisory Council. He and his family also established The Edens Family Fund for Climate Change Research at Princeton University and endowed the Edens Professorship in Global Health at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, along with a research fund to focus on solving international infectious diseases and environmental health hazards.

A lifelong athlete and competitor, Edens grew up on a rural Montana ranch participating in outdoor sports including ski racing, mountain climbing, running, and jumping horses. He has scaled the Matterhorn, the Grand Tetons, Mount Kilimanjaro, and other challenging mountains around the world. Edens is also a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and Aston Villa Football Club sports franchises.

Prior to co-founding Fortress in 1998, Edens earned his Bachelor od Science degree in finance from Oregon State University. He worked as a partner and managing director of Lehman Brothers, before becoming a partner and managing director of BlackRock Financial Management Inc., where he led BlackRock Asset Investors, a private equity fund.