The Signature | November 19, 2021

Name: Brian Pearson

Command: NAVFAC

Department: Facility Management Division

By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

What do stop signs, sea lions, and Sacramento State have in common? They are all part of Brian Pearson’s winding journey to Sigonella. A native of Diamond Springs, Calif., Pearson is the requirements branch head in the facility management division of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) here in Naval Air Station Sigonella.

Pearson first enlisted in the Army, serving in a combat unit until 1992. After his service and unsure what to do next, he chose to continue his education at Long Beach Community College, where he earned a two-year degree in marine technology while simultaneously pursuing a commercial diving certification.

“My first professional job outside of the military was for the Department of the Navy in their marine mammal program in San Diego as a contractor,” he said. “I worked as a professional diver and assistant animal trainer, and I did that for many years.”

Unfortunately, his work with dolphins and sea lions came to an end when the program was cut, and while searching for a career that was “recession-proof,” he turned to his father for advice.

“He’s the one who put the bug in my ear,” said Pearson. “My dad was a civil engineer who worked in a city municipality government, and he told me everyone needs water; they need to turn on the tap and have water come out and they need to flush their toilets and have the water go away.”

Once again, Pearson balanced school and work at the same time, this time taking classes in engineering at Sacramento State focusing on water treatment.

“I started working for a public works department at the lowest level and just kept working my way up, taking classes and continuing my education,” he said.

First, Pearson started out in the signs and marking division in a city municipality public works department. “I went around fixing any sort of sign you can imagine in a city, right down to painting red lines on curbs,” he recalled.

After transferring to the wastewater department of the same city, he eventually moved into the federal government and ended up working in project planning at Naval Base Coronado. He then served as facility manager there for five years before moving overseas to Sigonella one year ago.

As requirements branch head, Pearson not only work with the long-term budget for the public works department, but also prioritizing the many projects that arise onboard NAS Sigonella.

“My people also deal with all the emergency, urgent and routine submissions for the installation. We are constantly prioritizing and re-prioritizing work based on funding and whether or not it is imperative to get fixed now,” he said. “Storms can really throw your whole priority out of whack.”

However, events like the recent flooding also remind Pearson of why he loves his job so much.

“Right now, my favorite thing is working with the young people in the military, as well as the local nationals,” he said. “They really put their heart and soul into this place. I think a lot of the older generation likes to beat on the younger generation, but I think that the younger generations coming up are incredible and I think that our future is in good hands because of what I see here. When there’s emergencies, during Operation Allies Refuge and the storm—these Seabees go to work, and they’re killing it. To me, it’s awe-inspiring to see the teamwork that comes together in a place like Sigonella.”

Pearson has also found Sicily to be a wonderful place to experience a new culture.

“I’m here with my wife and son, and they love it here. They’ve been excited to travel and experience a different culture, and to be honest, the food here is amazing,” he said. “It’s good to get outside of your comfort zone and do something different.”

At the same time, Pearson is grateful for the Sigonella community.

“Everyone’s in the same boat of being overseas. It’s not easy to be here, so everybody gathers together and helps each other more than maybe than when you’re used to,” he said. “Here, if somebody needs something, everybody pulls in to help.”