Manson Invests in Future Leaders

Recognizing a need to intentionally develop the next generation of leaders at Manson, Manson’s Learning and Development Department (“L&D”) created the Compass Leadership Program (“Compass”). This custom-built curriculum is designed to strengthen Manson-specific leadership values and skills, support employee growth, and reinforce a culture of success.

The inaugural class of the Compass Foundations Leadership Program, program leaders, and guests. Back row: Ian Walker, Matua Sablan, Kalvin Lentz, Isaac Byrd, Blake Russell, Kyle Dickens, Alex Kolessar, Ian Salmon, Kelly Blythe, and Thomas Barrett (program leader). Middle row: Joseph Hannon, Gricelda Rey, Ashley Mueller, Hogan Bourgeois, Taylor McRae, Nick Van Meter, Jimmie Collins, Mohammad Kanaan, Angelli Martinez, Agnes Lu-Hodi (program leader), David Mabile, and J.Anthony Tedpahogo. Front row: Carey Shannon (program leader), and Dave Barnett (HumanPoint). Photo credit: Douglas Boehm—EHS Training Manager.

While leadership training has informally been part of Manson’s development efforts, Compass gives employees a more structured and accessible path to grow in their careers. Starting with the four-unit Foundations level, the program provides practical tools participants can apply immediately to improve productivity, strengthen communication, and build stronger, meaningful connections with their teams.

“When you understand that leadership is not just a phenomenon of hierarchy but a phenomenon of relationships, then it’s easy to see that everybody at Manson can lead,” says Manson L&D Director Thomas Barrett. “Compass Foundations is the place where our people start purposefully engaging leadership principles that, in time, will yield a Manson brand of leadership that further strengthens our commitment to taking care of people first and always.”

Compass grew out of leadership assessment sessions that started with companywide workshops conducted by L&D in 2021, along with ongoing conversations with many of Manson’s seasoned leaders. More than 1,000 inputs from those sessions helped shape the program around four learning units at the Foundations level:

• Build Your Brand, which focuses on self-awareness and personal leadership;

• Communicate With Purpose, which demonstrates effective communication;

• Never A Team of One, which promotes deep collaboration;

• Invest in Lasting Relationships, which aims to strengthen team dynamics.

Together, these Foundations principles show employees that leadership can take many forms and that effective leaders build success through both individual development and team connection.

“The leadership program gives us an opportunity to step back and see things from a different perspective,” says Manson Project Engineer Isaac Byrd. “It has given me new ideas for improving as a leader and reinforced that great leadership requires continuous learning and application.”

Over the course of 14 months, 20 employees from departments across the company participated in the inaugural Compass Foundations cohort. Their training combined self-paced learning, resource articles and videos, reflection questions, and live virtual sessions in a cohort-based format that encouraged participants to learn from one another and apply the concepts in real time.

“Compass has already played a significant role in my career growth,” says Manson Project Manager Taylor McRae. “The program has given me leadership tools to collaborate with people across the company, discuss individual and team success, and understand how our unique strengths can help advance our operations.”

A few members of the class discussing strategy during a hands-on activity. (L-R): Purchasing Manager Blake Russell, Environmental Health and Safety Manager Matua Sablan, Project Engineer Ian Walker, Project Manager Gricelda Rey, and Field Engineer Nick Van Meter (standing). Photo credit: J.Anthony Tedpahogo—Marketing & Communications Coordinator

In March 2026, the inaugural class brought the Foundations level of training to a close with a three-day capstone event at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (“UBC”) International Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants took part in lectures and activities through UBC’s Collaborative Leadership: Building Jobsite Leaders program. The sessions focused on empowering leadership, effective communication, and helping team members make the most of their skills and potential.

The cohort also toured the 1.2 million-square-foot training center, which welcomes more than 14,000 visitors annually for programs that include underwater welding, concrete forms, and piledriving.

As the first group to complete Compass Foundations, the inaugural cohort is also helping shape the future of leadership development at Manson. L&D will use their feedback to refine future courses, activities, and learning experiences for upcoming cohorts, ensuring the program continues to meet the needs of employees and the company as both continue to grow.

The class looks on as UBC Instructor Brent Jenkins goes over the course curriculum. Photo credit: J.Anthony Tedpahogo—Marketing & Communications Coordinator

“The Compass Leadership Program does a great job getting young leaders involved and setting them up for success,” says Dredging Engineering Manager Kyle Dickens. “It can be easy to be a good engineer or a good project manager, but it is harder to be a good leader. This program will set us on the right path.”

Visit Manson's Vimeo page to watch a video on the Compass Leadership Program.