Yilmaz, please tell us about your background and career.
I spent much of my career in the oil & gas industry in global sales, business development, engineering, and project management. My roles have taken me to different countries and industries. Before joining DWT, I worked at Worley (formerly Jacobs), a large Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) organization, in Houston and The Hague. There, I led business development in the low-carbon energy transition and managed international sales teams across Europe and Central Asia. Each stop along the way has shaped how I think, lead, and collaborate. I’ve learned to adapt to different cultures, industries, and challenges and I bring those lessons to every role. Looking back, I’d say my career has been about building trust, solving problems, and continuously growing as a leader.
What was your motivation to join DWT two years ago?
I joined DWT because of the culture. After spending years in very large global organizations, I realized I was looking for something different - a place that felt more like a family, where people genuinely work together toward a common goal. At DWT, that spirit is clear in everything we do, and it’s what drew me here.
Another big reason was the chance to make a big impact. In my previous company, I was part of a 500+ sales organization, and while I held a senior role, it was difficult to truly influence the direction of the business. At DWT, I’m proud to be part of a fast-growing company where my voice matters in many areas, not just in sales and marketing. Helping shape our growth, strategy, and how we serve our customers has been both rewarding and motivating.
On top of that, I’m deeply passionate about the energy transition and the role renewable energy plays in shaping a more sustainable future. Being part of an organization that is directly contributing to this transformation makes the work even more meaningful and exciting for me.
And how are you helping DWT develop its business in the U.S.?
One of my key goals is to keep unlocking the big market potential for DWT in the U.S. Even after nearly eight years here, there is still a large onshore wind O&M market to explore and capture. The Inflation Reduction Act has made this even more exciting, letting us move beyond traditional O&M and offer partial repower solutions in the EPC space. This helps us bring more value to customers and positions DWT as a real partner in their long-term plans.
What excites me most is driving this growth with a dedicated team that loves building new opportunities. Growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about developing new capabilities, breaking into untapped areas of the market, and doing it together as a team. Leading growth at DWT motivates me every day because I see how our work shapes the company’s future. I’m passionate about helping our team think big, push limits, and find new opportunities to keep DWT growing in the U.S.
Besides work, how can we imagine Yilmaz in his free time?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife, Irina, and our two kids – Bora, who is 11, and Adel, who is 8. As a family, we love to travel and explore new places together, whether that’s discovering a new city or just finding new adventures closer to home. Those moments keep me grounded and energized.
Soccer has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing and watching the game, and I still religiously follow Galatasaray and watch their matches every weekend. Whenever I get the chance, I also like to play myself. Lately, I’ve also started playing pickleball and golf - I wouldn’t call myself an expert at either just yet, but I enjoy learning and getting better each time I play.
Thank you so much for your openness and these exciting insights!
