Jesse Skipper
When the company you work for is acquired, you face a crossroads. For Jesse, a Production Manager in our US shipyard, that moment came when Birdon took the helm. What could have been an uncertain time quickly became an opportunity.
“I was initially brought in through an acquisition, but what keeps me here is my passion for the profession and the amazing group of people I have the privilege of working with,” Jesse shares.
He saw Birdon wasn’t just continuing the work; it was expanding the ambition, taking on massive, multi-year programs for clients like the US Coast Guard. It was a chance to apply his passion on a new scale, and he chose to stay.
That scale is clear in Jesse’s daily routine. His day doesn’t start at 9:00 AM. It starts before dawn.
“A typical day for me starts between 4:30 and 4:45 AM,” he says. “My first priority is ensuring everyone has exactly what they need to begin work.”
This is about more than just personal progression; it’s about the increasing scope of trust and influence. Jesse’s role is to empower the entire production team, the welders, the fabricators, the electricians, to execute complex work on vessels that are critical to national security. His focus is on removing obstacles so the team can do what they do best.
That trust and teamwork culminate in moments of incredible pride. “A moment that really stands out is when we moved an entire superstructure for one of our major vessel programs to make way for the next phase of construction,” Jesse recalls. “That single moment, seeing that massive piece move, made me proud to be a part of this team.”
It’s a tangible symbol of progress, representing months of planning and the coordinated effort of the entire workforce. This is how Jesse sees his work making a difference: not just delivering for the Coast Guard, but providing stable, high-impact opportunities for the local workforce.
“We’re focused on building quality vessels, and you can’t do that unless you invest in your people.”
This team-first, pragmatic approach is what “Make It Happen” means to him. It’s not a buzzword; it’s a direct action.
“In this role, ‘Make It Happen’ means providing our workforce with the tools they need to succeed,” Jesse states. “I take my role at Birdon seriously. Our main focus is on building quality vessels, and you can’t do that unless you invest in your people to ensure we ‘Make It Happen’ successfully.”
It’s this simple, authentic focus on people and quality that builds the “family culture” Jesse values. And for him, the ultimate reward is seeing the direct result of that culture.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a finished vessel that a team of people – this team – came together to build.”
