Giants of Skilled Trades: Allen Levrault, General Dynamics Electric Boat

Making your way into Major League Baseball is no small feat. Successfully transitioning into another challenging career field showcases extreme versatility. Allen Levrault, a former MLB pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers and Florida Marlins, is a prime example of this dual achievement.

Levrault was drafted by the Brewers in the 13th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. After appearing in 37 games in two seasons with Milwaukee, he went on to join the World Champion Marlins in 2003, pitching in 19 games with a 1–0 record and a 3.86 ERA that season. After that stretch, Levrault played a few years in the minors, before closing the chapter in his sports career.

Transitioning from the mound to manufacturing, Levrault signed on with General Dynamics Electric Boat as a welder in 2010. Since joining, he has demonstrated the same dedication and precision that marked his baseball career. This commitment and skill set has led him to his current role as Manager of Operations in the Steel Directorate at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

Levrault shared his experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on the transitions and challenges of his multifaceted career and the lessons he's learned along the way.

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‍What first made you want to get into the skilled trades? Was it before or after your time playing baseball?‍

Yes, it was before baseball. My uncle Joe was the building inspector in Fall River, Massachusetts. During the summer, he would pick me up in the morning and he would pay me to gut houses for him. He used to buy three family homes and flip them. When I got drafted in 1995, my scout at the time got me a job stacking steel at Shawmut Metals. That’s where I would weld and hang steel when I wasn’t actively playing baseball. I used to be a connector.

‍What satisfaction have you gotten over the years from working in manufacturing, and specifically, defense manufacturing?‍

I’m proud of what Electric Boat builds, how it’s built, and the people that do the work. I’m a blue-collar guy from a working-class family. I love construction and building things. I have had the good fortune to meet some awesome people from all backgrounds. I am so grateful to be part of building the most sophisticated and complex submarines in the world. The U.S. military members make a lot of sacrifices to protect our country and I am honored to play a small part in supporting that effort.

‍Is there a particular memory or project that stands out from your career in manufacturing?‍

Completing the 2B-5 Super Module for the Virginia-class attack submarine SSN 798 (PCU Massachusetts).