Why Lead Staffing’s Marine Division is Making a Difference in the San Diego Naval Shipyards

Lead Staffing is in its ninth year of business as a national industrial and marine staffing company. While there are many competitors within the field, there are several vital traits held by Lead Staffing that sets them apart from other industrial and shipyard marine staffing companies. Some key employees of the San Diego division best explain what it is that puts Lead Staffing above the rest.

Alan Biliti, the Marine Sales and Recruiting Manager in San Diego, opened this branch in March of 2018. He was the perfect candidate for the job because of his previous experience, knowledge, and relationship with essential parts of the Southern California management team. Alan brought a unique perspective to the team; during his tenure in the U.S. Navy, was a Gas Systems Mechanic 2nd Class, who went through 2 shipyard avails in 3 years, working hand in hand with Ship Yard repair activity. Alan also experienced the client-side of ship repair starting as a program manager for BAE Systems Temp Labor Department, where he trained over 1,500 employees on shipyard & OSHA safety along with managing injury investigations and reports. Within three years BAE had highest temp labor headcount at over 400 contract employees and managing over 30 open orders. This staffing experience helped Alan understand the needs of his managers and the culture of the shipyard industry.  As a Program and Safety Manager, he had been in tune with naval construction and staffing needs. “I understand what the industry is asking for, and I can use that knowledge to find the right candidates for our clients.”

The middle-man between the staffing agency and the client, Alan uses the skills he learned in the Navy as well as those that he learned during his time in the private sector. “We prioritize following up with the client, unlike many others in the industry,” he responded when asked what sets the San Diego division of Lead Staffing apart in a crowded industry. 

Another Navy Veteran in the San Diego division is Will Bryant, Project Coordinator, and Junior Recruiter. Will’s roles in the Navy as Damage Controlmen 2nd Class included Ship Maintenance, Systems, and Damage Control Drills and Work Center Supervisor duties, to name a few. His diverse experience made him a great addition to the team, and he is currently responsible for bringing on quality candidates for client projects who will execute their roles safely and adequately. 

Will’s private sector experience also helps with knowing client and customer needs while understanding how important deadlines and budgets are. During his time living outside Washington D.C., Will worked for a civil engineering company as a Permit Expeditor, managing the approval process on all accounts for erecting a commercial building in the greater D.C. area. 

Above all else, Will said, “We’re still a growing market here, and nothing is better than growth. The possibilities are endless because we don’t see a ceiling right now.” He and his counterparts at Lead Staffing have high expectations for the future of the San Diego division.

Outside of the massive Navy Veteran representation that Lead Staffing boasts, Grace Meza is an excellent example of an essential member of the team whose private sector experience gave her direct exposure to U.S. Navy operations. As the Office Administrator and Assistant Project Coordinator, she supports the team’s efforts by checking applications, running background checks, using E-Verify and much more. Her previous experience includes ten years of Armed Service credentialing, shipyard security and craft person recruiting that allowed her to become familiar with placement in shipyards and understanding the process behind it. Grace worked with for large defense companies such as Lockheed Martin and Serco as a Verifying Official and Security Clerk dealing with Naval Base access for active duty personnel, military dependents, and shipyard construction personnel while at the 32nd Street Naval Base Pass & Decal office. He time there brings an expert level for all admin aspects to the Lead Staffing San Diego office, dealing with base and shipyard access daily.

From the ground up, the San Diego division of Lead Staffing is comprised of team members with Naval shipbuilding backgrounds that give them an unmatched viewpoint on the industry. This alone sets them apart from competitors, not to mention their passion and drive to succeed. Providing clients with candidates that are the right fit comes naturally to them, making Lead Staffing an easy pick for all your industrial and marine workforce needs.