Press Release

Michael Montgomery is no stranger to bold visions and global impact. A civil engineer by training, Michael’s career spans from pioneering offshore oilfield safety to revolutionizing clean water access in underserved regions. As co-founder of HydroLOGICA, and the founder of HydroPhilanthropy, Michael has spent decades building systems that last, whether in energy, infrastructure, or philanthropy.

From Subsea Engineer to Standard-Setter

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Michael’s story began at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. In the structured, tree-lined hills of Southern Virginia, he developed the self-discipline and leadership skills that would define his professional life. After graduating from Tennessee Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering, he launched into nearly a decade of offshore subsea engineering.

During this time, Michael saw a dangerous gap in oversight for Blowout Preventer (BOP) equipment. His response was entrepreneurial and visionary: he founded WEST Engineering Services, a firm that would become the world leader in BOP testing, inspection, and training. WEST didn't just fill a gap, it created a new industry and set the global benchmark for risk management in offshore drilling.

In 2012, Michael sold WEST Engineering to Lloyd’s Register, a respected global provider of professional services and maritime classification. The acquisition marked the culmination of years of innovation and leadership in safety and engineering.

In 2021, Michael chronicled this groundbreaking journey in his book, Leading From The Outside: The WEST Engineering Services Story of Disruptive Innovation, offering insights into leadership, industry transformation, and the power of staying outside the status quo.

A New Vision: Safe Water with Technical Excellence

After retiring from WEST, Michael turned his attention toward a new mission: ensuring that safe, clean water is delivered with the same level of technical excellence and oversight that defined his oil and gas career.

As a former board member of Living Water International, Michael traveled to the field often, witnessing both the urgent need for clean water and the variability in drilling practices. On one such trip to Zambia, he met Brandon Stone, then a staff member with Living Water International. The two bonded over a shared passion for safe water access and technical integrity, forming a partnership that would reshape their futures and the future of clean water in Central America.

In 2017, they co-founded HydroLOGICA, combining modern drilling technology, rigorous training, and ISO-certified operations. The company, headquartered in Managua, Nicaragua,  promotes and trains on safe water standards and has become a model for quality in water well drilling across Central America and around the globe.

Michael often jokes that at HydroLOGICA, “we have a procedure for everything, right down to how we load the truck.” He knows firsthand that driving 3–4 hours into the jungle only to discover you’re missing a crucial tool is the stuff of fieldwork nightmares. That’s why the team emphasizes quality at every step: ensuring every piece of equipment works, technicians are trained to make minor repairs on the spot, and backup plans are in place for the unexpected. In remote operations, there’s always something that can stop you, unless you’ve built in the plans, procedures, and redundancies to keep moving forward.

Launching HydroPhilanthropy

This year, Michael is launching HydroPhilanthropy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to extend HydroLOGICA’s impact through partnerships with NGOs and mission-driven organizations. HydroPhilanthropy will fund safe water projects, as well as educational initiatives that train water professionals on high standards in their own countries.

One such initiative is the HydroLOGICA Apprenticeship Program, a three-month, immersive training experience based in Managua, Nicaragua. The program blends classroom instruction with real-world drilling experience using HydroLOGICA’s state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Designed for both water well drillers and well site supervisors, it equips participants with the skills to implement safe, sustainable water solutions globally.

“The purpose of this program is to share knowledge of best drilling practices and foster long-term industry change,” Michael explains. “By equipping individuals with technical excellence, we aim to significantly improve the quality and sustainability of water projects worldwide.”

Grounded in Faith, Service, and Giving

Michael’s professional accomplishments are matched by his deep commitment to faith and service. He is a strong Christian and active member of both Marco Lutheran Church in Florida and Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Park City, Utah. His generous spirit extends across communities, supporting local food pantries, the arts in Park City, his local YMCA, and much more. He’s also a licensed pilot, often combining his love of travel with his commitment to service and adventure.

Each year, Michael funds three scholarships for students at Hargrave Military Academy, giving back to the institution that shaped him. He is also a committed Rotarian in both Park City and Marco Island, embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” in all areas of his life.

Michael holds membership in the Utah Groundwater Association, and is a former member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. ​​

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A Legacy of Excellence

Whether reviewing drilling schematics, supporting a clean water partnership, or tossing a golf ball with his grandkids, Michael is guided by a singular belief: technical excellence and compassionate action can change lives.

In addition to his engineering and philanthropic work, Michael is an internationally recognized public speaker, known for delivering compelling insights on innovation, leadership, and global development to audiences around the world.

He’s a cyclist, a pickleball enthusiast, a storyteller, and a mentor, but above all, he’s a builder of systems and communities that endure. Through HydroLOGICA and HydroPhilanthropy, Michael is turning decades of engineering expertise into a force for good, delivering water, dignity, and opportunity to communities around the world.