Manson Retirees—2025
- Manson Editorial Staff
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Jerry Gienger—Superintendent
Written by: Mia Li—Marketing Intern
After 37 years at Manson, Superintendent Jerry Gienger is retiring following a 51-year career in heavy civil and marine construction.
Jerry joined Manson in 1988 as a piledriver carpenter and was quickly promoted to foreman and later to superintendent. Jerry led work on all phases of Manson’s operations, from dredging and piledriving to concrete wharf construction, utilities, and shore power system installations. His extensive portfolio includes virtually every major Manson project in the Port of Los Angeles (“POLA”) and the Port of Long Beach (“POLB”), including the POLA Channel Deepening project, multiple Los Angeles and Long Beach pier and berth rebuilds, and the decade-long POLB Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program.
Jerry’s skill and leadership have left a mark across southern California; to him, those major projects were simply “all in a day’s work.” Colleagues consistently praise his honesty, integrity, grit, and determination.
In retirement, he plans to reconnect and spend more time with family.
Thank you for your many years of service, and enjoy your retirement, Jerry!
Stefan Mueller-Dombois—Dredgetender Captain
Written by: Mia Li—Marketing Intern
Congratulations to Dredgetender Captain Stefan Mueller-Dombois on his retirement after 28 years of service with Manson!
Stefan joined Manson in 2007 as a dredgetender operator for the cutter suction dredge H.R. MORRIS. Over the years, he brought his versatility and expertise to multiple vessels, serving as a relief captain on the ELMER M. and the JEFFREY M. between stints as a critical member of the H.R. MORRIS team operating the tenders PUP and CUB.
Colleagues describe Stefan as patient, polite, well-spoken, and cheerful. He always has a smile on his face, with great energy that lifted every crew he worked with.
In his retirement, he’s looking forward to more time with family and cruising around in his 1988 Porsche.
Happy retirement, Captain Stefan!
Jeff Burks—Crew Boat Captain
Written by: Mia Li—Marketing Intern
Crew Boat Captain Jeff Burks has retired after 25 years with Manson, where he served as a trustworthy presence on hopper dredge projects from the Gulf and East Coast to the West Coast.
Jeff joined Manson as a crew boat captain and remained in this role throughout his career, with his extensive knowledge and years of experience making him an integral part of every hopper project he worked on. Widely respected by his team, he was known as an outstanding boat handler who consistently put safety first.
Jeff’s upbeat attitude and sense of humor was highly memorable: he always brought a smile and a story, and his team looked forward to seeing him. He was the go-to person for questions about certain projects, sharing knowledge from his years of experience on the water. Jeff’s colleagues often praised his expertise, big heart, and honesty.
Now retired, Jeff intends to travel more with his wife and spend more time with his grandchildren. After a long career defined by leadership, skill, and warmth, he looks forward to future trips and spending more time with family.
Eric McMann—Special Projects Manager
Written by: J.Anthony Tedpahogo—Marketing & Communications Coordinator
With an impressive 45 years in the industry—33 of those with Manson—Special Projects Manager Eric McMann has been a driving force behind dredging projects along the West Coast. He joined Manson in 1992 when Manson purchased the assets of his former employer, Riedel International of Portland, OR. During a dredge job in Tacoma, WA, Eric met then-Watch Engineer Daric Latham, sparking one of many friendships that has lasted for decades.
Throughout the ’90s, Eric split his time between the cutter suction dredges LOFGREN and HUSKY and also worked on the NJORD during the $167 million Oakland Harbor Phase 3E project from 2006 to 2009. He also spent time on the hopper dredge WESTPORT, managing projects with a steadfast commitment to safety, precision, and efficiency.
As Eric eases into retirement, he looks forward to enjoying life with his wife at their new home in Oregon.
We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter, Eric!