John A. Wooley
M.S., The University of Texas at Austin, 1974
B.S., The University of Texas at Austin, 1972
John A. Wooley is an outstanding geotechnical engineer, manager, and business developer, John Wooley has over 40 years of technical experience encompassing significant capital investment projects worldwide, both onshore and offshore. Before starting his own successful firm, he rose through the ranks of Fugro Consultants, Inc., eventually serving as Executive Vice President and was responsible for the firm’s transportation and infrastructure practice. Wooley attributes much of his success to his teachers at UT, like Roy Olson, and fellow alumni with whom he has worked alongside for many years.
After receiving his master’s degree from UT, Wooley served in the Air Force as a research officer at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for several years, modeling group motion response to explosive blast loadings. Upon exiting the USAF, he began working for McClelland Engineers in Houston in 1976, where his assignments included directing offshore vessel, crew, and drilling operations in the U.S., Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates.
Wooley has extensive expertise in the behavior of foundations in rock, expansive clay soils, and Gulf Coast soils. He has completed major site investigations in the major geologic units spanning Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and beyond. His project scope is vast, ranging from healthcare facilities to major high-rise buildings, pipelines, tunnels, water and wastewater facilities, and industrial plant additions. In 2013, Wooley started his own company, Balcones Geotechnical, which is focused on solving complex geotechnical puzzles in Texas.
Throughout his career, Wooley has been active in professional organizations that advance engineering practice. He has dedicated himself to teaching and guiding early career engineers, finding mentorship one of the most fulfilling and fun parts of his job. Additionally, he has served in advisory roles for the City of Austin, the St. Teresa’s School Board, and the CAEE Department.
