Wayne Malone originally started graduate school in business and marketing, but transitioned to Forestry School at Stephen F. Austin University in Texas shortly after. During college, Wayne took a job with a logging company in east Texas to earn money for school. After working in the industry for a while he took a job in the Middle East with Sedco, where he lived in Tehran, Iran before and during the overthrow of the Shah and the Islamic Revolution. Afterwards he lived in Dubai continuing his work in the oil industry.

Wayne began working on the JOIDES Resolution as a one-time fill-in position as a Rig Supervisor. Twenty years later he is still on the ship, working as the Offshore Installation Manager for the last 13 years. Essentially the Offshore Installation Manager is in charge of drilling operations, which includes being aware of safety, fire fighting, fueling, and navigation in and around the drill sites. In this position Wayne manages all of the ordering for the ship’s drilling supplies. He also works with the entire drill team to trouble shoot problem drilling situations. Wayne knows how to do just about everything on the drill floor and often steps in for people while working on site.

Through his years working on the ship, Wayne has visited many exciting places and experienced new discoveries. One of the most interesting sites he drilled was the Demerara Rise off the coast of Suriname. This drill site led to the discovery of the K/T boundary while drilling near the Chicxulub impact crater. Out of all the countries Wayne has visited, he speaks most fondly of South America and Chile because of its engaging people, culture, and landscape.

When not aboard the ship, Wayne lives in Northwest Montana with his wife and 3-year-old son. Wayne met his wife on the ship, where she was the core curator for many years.

Staff Name: Wayne Malone

Education: Forestry School at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas

Courses: Intensive drilling courses

Experiences: Pass coast guard exam certification, minimum of 7 years of supervisor experience aboard a drilling vessel

IODP Experience: 20 years in ODP and IODP

Interests: Oil drilling, oil rigs

Life Experience: 10 years in the oil industry

Favorite Expedition Memory: Met his wife on the JOIDES Resolution

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