Mr. Thigpen currently serves as General Manager, Marine New Build Sales, leading the US Sales team in capturing new build opportunities with vessel owners, ship design companies, and shipyards. Joel joined Wärtsilä in June 2015 as the US Sales Manager for Oil & Gas, and later was named General Manager of Segment Sales – Offshore Drilling, where he focused his attention on leading the industry transformation towards a Smart Offshore Ecosystem.

Just prior to taking on his current role, Joel served as the General Manager of Wärtsilä’s Global New Build Sales Program, leading global multi-functional teams on complex strategic new build projects in various marine applications. Including his time at Wärtsilä, Joel has served for over fifteen years in various Sales and Business Development capacities, focused on the global offshore Oil & Gas market, which have included expat assignments in Aberdeen Scotland and Dubai, while working for National Oilwell Varco.

Prior to his time in the oilfield, Mr. Thigpen served as a personnel officer in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Thigpen earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with a concentration in Management from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.