Setting: rural northwest Germany. A tranquil agricultural estate. Enter a young scholar with a question that would redirect her path. “Hey, when are you getting a wind turbine?”

It seemed like a fleeting interaction, but for Julia Vey — then an apprentice at GE Vernova in Salzbergen — it sparked a revelation. During the early 2000s, wind energy remained niche, with large-scale turbines a rarity. Yet Vey recognized potential in the technology and committed herself to its future.

Two decades later, her uncle’s farmland showcases a transformed landscape. Towering over crops of corn and wheat stands a 6-megawatt GE Vernova turbine, part of a trio owned by a community cooperative formed with neighboring landowners. For Vey, now GE Vernova’s global head of planning and logistics in Onshore Wind, this marked a symbolic milestone.

“The most rewarding experience was guiding my cousin and my uncle’s neighbors up the turbine after installation,” she shares with a grin. “My uncle preferred to stay grounded — heights aren’t his forte.”

Vey with her uncle and cousin at her uncle’s wind farm in northwest Germany.

The Evolution of Wind

When Vey embarked on her career, wind turbines were compact, rudimentary, and less efficient. “Back then, blades measured about 30 meters,” she reflects. “Today we’re installing components exceeding 80 meters — surpassing the wingspan of a Boeing 747.”

This technological advancement has revolutionized both energy generation capacity and the feasibility of wind farms in diverse regions. Enhanced tower heights harness stronger winds, expanding operational territories. However, larger turbines demand intricate logistical coordination — a challenge Vey and her team tackle daily.

Moving Giants Across the Globe

Transporting turbine blades, towers, and nacelles isn’t a standard shipping task. Vey’s team ensures these massive components — some stretching longer than a football field — arrive at sites across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, precisely and securely. This high-pressure endeavor requires navigating diverse regulations, terrains, and zero margin for error.

“Challenges range from securing oversized transport permits to arranging police escorts,” Vey explains. “In Romania, for instance, trucks can only move after dark, with drivers transferring cargo to police escorts at every county boundary. Each nation operates uniquely, necessitating constant adaptation.”

Her work involves meticulous scheduling, negotiations, and contingency planning. Each morning, Vey analyzes complex logistics data and prioritizes daily objectives. Her guiding principle: “Let’s get it done.” Post-project, she evaluates performance metrics to identify improvements. “Every initiative offers new lessons,” she says. “That’s what makes this role thrilling.”

Vey collaborating with the delivery team in Galveston, Texas.

Built on Data, Driven by Curiosity

Vey’s talent for solving complex challenges has been cultivated through experience. Growing up in Metelen, Germany, she demonstrated competitiveness early, excelling in sports like swimming and tennis, alongside academics.

After secondary school, she joined Germany’s dual studies program, earning a bachelor’s degree while gaining practical experience at GE Vernova. Her career breakthrough came when she relocated to Aberystwyth, Wales, serving as an Onshore Wind field services agent for three years, supporting U.K. and Ireland operations.

Returning to Salzbergen, she achieved her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, spearheading process improvement initiatives and teaching data-driven problem-solving across the organization. “One key lesson was extracting critical insights from vast datasets,” she recalls. This expertise proved invaluable in subsequent roles in project planning, operations, and quality assurance, shaping her leadership style.

“If I needed to ship 40 units last week, I start with the facts: Did we deliver? Where did we fall short? Why? Lean methodology provides structure and clarity — and accelerates progress.”
“Wind Girl”

On LinkedIn, Vey identifies as Wind Girl, a title reflecting her dedication and consistency. “Many professionals shift industries,” she observes. “But since starting at 19, I’ve remained steadfast. I’ve always specialized in onshore wind.”

Her commitment runs deep. She views her work not merely as logistics but as contributing to a global mission — harnessing wind, one of Earth’s most abundant resources, to advance electrification and decarbonization. This purpose is personal. She’s remained at GE Vernova due to the company’s support — including during maternity leave for her now 11- and 7-year-old children — and her affinity for colleagues and organizational culture.

On Top of the World

For Vey, the allure of wind power transcends statistics and logistics — it’s about the visceral experience.

Last year, during a visit to the SunZia project near Albuquerque, New Mexico — the largest wind project in U.S. history — she encountered Mike Meyer, a trucking partner who’d transported turbine components for over two decades. Surprisingly, he’d never seen a turbine’s interior. She invited him to the summit.

“It’s incredibly thrilling; the ascent is full of adrenaline,” she describes, recalling climbs involving elevators, ladders, and sometimes self-operated lifts. “After descending? I feel completely rejuvenated and empowered.”

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