Brad R. Gilman

 Brad has been actively surveying since 2010 and joined CISD Marine as an equity partner in 2024. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M University at Galveston and holds professional certifications through NCB/USCG and NAMSGlobal as a Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS). He brings over a decade of experience across multiple marine surveying disciplines and firms.

Brad has been actively surveying since 2010 and joined CISD Marine as an equity partner in 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M University at Galveston and holds professional certifications through NCB/USCG and NAMSGlobal as a Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS). He brings over a decade of experience across multiple marine surveying disciplines and firms.

 I enjoy the constant pace of work, the coordination, problem-solving, and fast-moving nature of the marine industry. Whether managing surveyors to meet tight schedules or investigating complex cargo-related issues, there is always a new challenge to take on. I especially value the opportunity to help customers navigate and resolve difficult situations.

 What keeps me at CISD Marine is the independence, shared ownership, and collaborative environment. Being an owner allows me to take pride in the work, stay fully invested in the company’s success, and see the direct results of hard work and long hours. Just as important is the team I work with—the ownership group and staff operate as one cohesive unit, pushing each other to improve and hold high standards across every project.

 One of the biggest challenges early in my career was learning the wide range of survey types and developing the judgment needed to perform surveys effectively within a professional team environment. There’s also been a learning curve in handling job-site mistakes, managing customer expectations, and staying disciplined under pressure. The unpredictability of the industry—never knowing when certain projects might fall through or when work could slow down—is a constant challenge. But the most rewarding part is working alongside friends and colleagues who are all striving toward the same goal, and seeing everyone’s hard work pay off. One of the most validating assignments I’ve had was managing overseas contractors on high-value military cargo projects. It was my responsibility to ensure that all cargo was properly surveyed and any damage was reported immediately to facilitate route changes. That level of trust and responsibility reaffirmed the value of what we do.

 In my spare time, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I especially love fishing with my brother and friends on his boat—it’s a great way to unwind and reconnect. I’m also a big fan of golf, although I don’t get to play as often these days due to the demands of surveying. Still, whenever I can, I try to make time for the things that keep me grounded and recharged.