From Airstream Dreams to Leading Shipyards with Frank Manning

We’ve heard a lot of “that’s how we’ve always done it” in the trades but Frank Manning is showing how to lead with humility, trust, and a hands-on mindset.Frank is the President of Diversified Marine, isn’t your typical shipyard boss. He stumbled into the marine industry after a failed business venture and has been hooked ever since. Leading one of the top tugboat building teams on the West Coast, Frank brings a rare mix of humility and confidence to an industry dominated by legacy and tradition.In this episode, we dig into how Frank’s been able to gain respect from seasoned tradespeople, despite being decades younger. His approach? Ask questions, stay hands-on, and always own the outcome good or bad. Frank shares stories of building a team that embraces learning, takes pride in the product, and proves that leadership isn’t about age it’s about action.He also walks us through how Diversified Marine became a force in tugboat innovation, pushing boundaries with 3D modeling, small-yard ingenuity, and a crew that doesn’t back down from a challenge. The energy Frank’s bringing to this space is something every blue collar leader should hear.If you got something out of this episode, take a second to subscribe, leave a rating, write a quick review, and share it with someone on your team who would enjoy it.  Get in touch with Frank:LinkedInGet in touch with us:Check out the Blue Collar BS website.Steve Doyle:WebsiteLinkedInEmailBrad Herda:WebsiteLinkedInEmailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy