As the Growth and Development Manager for APM Terminals Pier 400 in Los Angeles, Jeff Leisner onboards new recruits, advances the skills of our people and — like all our colleagues — ensures that safety is at the heart of everything we do.
When he's not at work, Jeff takes his safety training to new heights — as a mountain rescue volunteer.
Find out who inspired Jeff and why he feels right at home in a safety-focused company.
I focus on developing new training initiatives, leading workshops in Lean methodology, and driving growth opportunities to upskill and excel our team’s performance.
We begin every new hire onboarding with terminal safety and our core values. We then move on to the lifecycle of a container and cover terminal operations.
With my background in safety, I ensure that we drive the importance of working safely in every aspect of training within our operation.
I have over 15 years of experience in roles such as Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Business Partner at Pier 400, Director of Safety Compliance and Security, and other safety related roles in the logistics industry. In addition, I have served in government and education sectors and am currently a part-time professor at California State University.
With a passion for empowering others, I also serve as an instructor, guiding individuals on how to hike and camp safely in the wilderness.
Whether I’m guiding students in mastering financial management or equipping employees with the skills to prioritize safety on the job, my focus is always on empowering people with the tools they need to thrive.
For me, it’s about harmonizing these efforts — bringing together education, safety and professional growth — to inspire my colleagues to work smarter, safer and more effectively.
I’ve been passionate about hiking and wilderness survival for years. Now I serve as a rescue volunteer for the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) for the greater counties and valleys of Southern California.
I wanted to give back and this feels like a natural extension of my skills and values.
I’ve learned to prepare for the unexpected. Rescue work teaches you that even experienced individuals can face unforeseen risks. It’s a constant reminder of the importance of preparation, quick thinking and teamwork. I even keep a 72-hour survival pack in my truck at all times; it contains first aid supplies, food and water.
Our team is incredibly diverse, with some members from military and medical backgrounds. We share a deep bond built on trust and forged through training in the toughest conditions.
Safety is more than a checkbox — it’s a mindset and a shared responsibility embedded in everything we do. I believe in leveraging Lean tools to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes and eliminate risks before they can become issues.
It’s also about building trust and accountability at all levels, recognizing that safety doesn’t happen in isolation. When we work together — using proven methodologies and sharing our insights — we create an environment where safety is not just a priority but a way of life.
Through continuous improvement and a commitment to care, we can ensure that every task, every day, is performed with safety at its core.
I suppose that would be my grandfather, James Leisner. He was a World War II veteran who received two bronze stars and a purple heart. He passed on the “leave no man behind” mentality and that resonated with me. He was my mentor and I’ll be passing on those learnings and values onto my daughter as well.
Our people and our purpose.
I get to work with incredibly talented individuals who make global trade possible, and not at the expense of safety and sustainability.
Work hard, learn more, do more.
Take 10
In this series, we ask a colleague to answer 10 questions about their job, their lives and their personal interests. Even though APM Terminals is on the cutting edge — creating terminals of tomorrow today — we know that we can only do this work with the best people on board.
Meet our People
For more stories from APM Terminals employees around the world. check out the Meet Our People page.
I have over 15 years of experience in roles such as Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Business Partner at Pier 400, Director of Safety Compliance and Security, and other safety related roles in the logistics industry. In addition, I have served in government and education sectors and am currently a part-time professor at California State University.
I’ve been passionate about hiking and wilderness survival for years. Now I serve as a rescue volunteer for the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) for the greater counties and valleys of Southern California. 
Our team is incredibly diverse, with some members from military and medical backgrounds. We share a deep bond built on trust and forged through training in the toughest conditions.
Our people and our purpose. 
