Past Events

Past Events

2024

June

2024 Annual Golf Outing

June 21, 2024

10:00 am | Chick Evans Golf Course in Morton Grove, IL

SAME Lake Michigan Post is hosting their 2024 Annual Golf Outing on June 21, 2024, 10:00 AM, at NEW LOCATION – Chick Evans Golf Course in Morton Grove, IL. To register, please fill out this form. Information on Sponsorship can be found here.

The golf outing is SAME’s primary fundraising opportunity for the year and provides funds for the Post’s Education and Mentoring Fund, which provides college scholarships to qualified individuals who are pursuing degrees in the field of engineering, architecture, or the applied sciences and for support of the SAME summer camps.

Last year SAME awarded over $14,000 in scholarships for college and summer camps. With your help, this year’s event will be an even greater success. SAME invites you to support the Lake Michigan Post by being a sponsor for the tournament. All sponsors will be recognized at the event at their committed level of support.

Submission Instructions 

Make your check payable to: SAME, Lake Michigan Post and return with a copy of this completed form to:

ATTN: Dave Guseman

Blinderman Construction

224 N. Desplaines St., Suite 650

Chicago, IL 60661

If you have questions, please contact Dave Guseman, Golf Committee Chairperson, at dguseman@blinderman.com or call (815) 671-2698

February

LAKE COUNTY CHAPTER, ISPE, MATHCOUNTS 2024 COMPETITION

The Lake County Chapter, which includes McHenry County, of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE), with assistance from the Lake Michigan Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), has an upcoming event where we need volunteers to help grade the MathCounts Competition for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are participating.

It is on Saturday, 17 February 2024

At the College of Lake County

19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, Illinois  60030

Student Registration is at 8:00 A.M., Building A, Room A011 Auditorium Lobby

Competition begins at 9:00 A.M.

All volunteer graders should enter the College of Lake County Campus at the main entrance off of Washington Street. Park in Lot 8 or Lot 9 on the north side of the campus. Do not park in Lot 7 Staff Parking Lot.  Proceed to the T1 entrance of the T Wing and then to the grading room at T345 to sign in by 8:15 A.M. and receive grading instructions. Use the elevator or stairs to reach the third floor. We will have signs and guides to show the way.  Graders should bring a small calculator and a pen to fill out the grading reports.

Refreshments of coffee, water and rolls will be provided.  We should be finished by 12:30 P.M.. Although not necessary, many of the members and volunteers then watch the top mathletes compete in the countdown round and the presentation of the trophies in Building A, Room A011 Auditorium, which finishes up by 1:30 P.M..  This is a very good opportunity to support and observe some of our finest young students quickly solve some difficult mathematical problems.

Please reply to George Capaul (gcapaul@dls.net) or Patrick Bleck (pbleck@bleckeng.com) by 5 to 15 February 2024 whether you can or can not help at the competition.

Participants will receive 2 Professional Development Hours, which may be used toward fulfilling their requirements for renewal of their Professional Engineering license.  Students can also receive volunteer credits for their school.

Also consider helping at the State MathCounts competition on Saturday, 9 March 2024, at Oswego East High School, 1525 Harvey Road, Oswego, IL 60543-8290. Contact the Illinois Engineering Initiative at https://ilengineeringinitiative.org/mathcounts/ for details.

In the event some of you may not be aware of the web sites, more member information is available for the ISPE Headquarters, in Springfield, Illinois, at www.illinoisengineer.com, for the NSPE Headquarters, in Washington D.C., at www.nspe.org, and for the MathCounts organization at www.mathcounts.org.  The web site for the Lake County Chapter of ISPE is at www.lc-ispe.org.

2023

September

Annual Yellow Ribbon Picnic – September 7, 2023

Hosted by SAME Lake Michigan Post and Naval Station Great Lakes. 

Date & Time:
Thursday, September 7, 2023
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Location:
Naval Station Great Lakes – Beach Pavilion
530 Farragut Ave, Great Lakes, IL 60088

Thank you to everyone who attended the SAME Lake Michigan Post Yellow Ribbon Picnic on September 7, 2023! We would like to specially thank the North Chicago Community Partners for their presentation about their work. Thank you also to everyone who donated household items to help stock their Family Care Closet. The Family Care Closet services over 75 families struggling with food insecurity each week, and they rely on your support to help stock the Closet.

August
SAME Lake Michigan Post event 2023

16th Annual Boat Cruise Fundraiser – August 1, 2023

This year’s cruise will take place on Tuesday, August 1, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, preceded by a light dinner and networking event starting at 5:30 pm, nearby Wendella’s West Docks located at Rush Street and Kinzie Street along the river.  This signature event provides a great opportunity to network with your colleagues while supporting SAME and veteran’s organizations.

Since our first cruise in 2007, we have supported local programs, initially as a founding donor to the Fisher House at the Hines VA Hospital with former Governor Pat Quinn and current US Senator Tammy Duckworth in attendance. Over the past 15 years, we have continued to support Friends of Fisher House, in addition to various veterans and military family support organizations, including Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA-IL) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP); Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT); National Military Family Association; Veteran’s Trek; Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans; Wounded Warrior Project; Honor Flight—Chicago; and last year, the Travis Manion Foundation, which provides leadership programs in the name of our fallen veterans.  This year, we are again supporting Fisher House (https://fofhil.org/) and Travis Manion Foundation (https://www.travismanion.org/) with Fisher House residents and Travis Manion representatives on board.

  • Individual Tickets – Private Sector:                      $75
  • Individual Tickets – Government/Military:           $50
  • Individual Tickets – Student:                                $35

Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, starting at $250.

July
SAME Lake Michigan Post event July 2023
Lake Michigan Post Annual Golf Outing 2023

Left pictureKen Endress receiving plaque recognizing service from Steve Blinderman, SAME.F, President, Blinderman Construction and SAME
LMP Treasurer.

Right pictureCol. Charles Perham, F.SAME, USAF (Ret) and new SAME President (2023-2024) joined the annual golf outing to share his congratulations and gave Ken his first “coin” as President of SAME.

SAME Lake Michigan Post hosted their 2023 Annual Golf Outing on June 16, 2023, 10:30 AM, at Midlane Golf and Country Club in Wadsworth, IL.

The golf outing is SAME’s primary fundraising opportunity for the year and provides funds for the Post’s Education and Mentoring Fund, which provides college scholarships to qualified individuals who are pursuing degrees in the field of engineering, architecture, or the applied sciences and for support of the SAME summer camps.

SAME LMP honored CDR Kenneth J. Endress, F.SAME, USNR (Ret.) for his 50 years of service to the SAME organization. Ken has not only served but inspired so many young and old alike over these many years. We are very happy to share that he will be continuing his work with LMP going forward. Ken also announced (and celebrated) his retirement from the US NAVY after 52 years of service in March of this year.


College Scholarship Winners Announced


SAME Lake Michigan Post College Scholarship Winners

This year’s scholarship winners were recognized at the annual Golf Outing on June 16 at Midlane Country Club in Wadsworth IL

Scholarship recipients (left to right): Justin Carlson, Allison Klemstein, Jonah Hanson and Ashlee Shoemaker.  

Thank you to Scott D. Jackson, Deputy Director, J4/Facilities, Logistics & Physical Security Directorate, USMEPCOM who coordinates the scholarship program for the SAME LMP (far right).

Not pictured: Tyler Kleinsasser, Akheel Abbas Sharifali, Tyler Crum, Justin Carlson, Lisa Boehmer, Amani Torre, Allison Klemstein, Ashlee Shoemaker, Tyler Wits, Eirik Marquez, Jedaiah Carrette, Michael Duong, Eziah Manuel Gonzalez, Daniela Barrera Guevara, Jonah Hanson, Kynnedy Keel

Commanders’ Briefing Webinar

USACE District Engineer Briefings are coming via webinar on Wednesday, 14 JUNE 2023 from 0900-1230 CST. The webinar will be provided free to both public and private entities, with an optional registration fee ($100 suggested) available to help contribute to the Rock Island Post’s STEM Scholarship fund.

A recording of the event will be provided to all registrants!
 This year we will have District Engineers from:

  • Rock Island District
  • Chicago District
  • Omaha District
  • Kansas City District
  • Saint Paul District
  • Detroit District
  • Saint Louis District
  •  Louisville District

These Districts will be presenting their FY24, FY25 and out-year programs for the benefit of our members, especially the Architect/Engineer community.

Please help us make this event a success. We’re looking forward to your attendance at our annual Commanders Briefings Conference webinar! 

Please register for the webinar on webex below and consider donating to the STEM scholarship fund below. 

Innovate! Partnering to Advance Civil Works R&D

This project launch event will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm CST to introduce significant new opportunities to collaborate with the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC) in the development and advancement of Civil Works solutions. There is no cost to attend this virtual session.

Why You Should Participate

Attendees will hear from leaders of one of the nation’s leading Civil Works R&D Programs and learn about ERDC’s plans to award a combined amount of up to $20 million in FY 2024. ERDC representatives will discuss plans to partner with innovators across industry and academia to address national Civil Works strategies and prepare for potential funding awards.

Proposed Agenda

Welcome and Introduction

Overview of USACE Civil Works Mission (Dr. Ty Wamsley, Director of ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory)

Overview of Civil Works Strategic R&D Initiative and Strategic Focus Areas (Dr. Julie Rosati, Lead Civil Works R&D Technical Director)

Targeted requirements for FY 2024 Program

  • NextGen Water Resources Infrastructure (Dr. Robert Moser, Senior Scientific Technical Manager, ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory)
  • Comprehensive Water Risk Management (Dr. Gaurav Savant, Senior Scientific Technical Manager, ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory)

Opportunities to submit for Civil Works R&D with ERDC (ERDCWERX)

  • Civil Works R&D Collider
  • Civil Works Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
  • How to access online opportunities

Facilitated Q&A

Details regarding specific Civil Works project opportunities will be posted on or before May 23 and will open for submission on May 23. Other ERDC project opportunities are currently open and visible here.

Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo – May 2023

Join the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) for the Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo, May 2 – 4, 2023 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX. For registration questions, please contact registration@same.org.

With more than 2,000 professionals from across the military engineering community, private industry, federal agencies, and academia, JETC offers a unique mix education, training, leader development, networking, innovation, and so much more.

Program Highlights:

  • 70+ Hours of Education & Training Sessions
  • Dynamic Keynote Speakers and Leader Panels
  • Joint Engineer Warfighting Seminars
  • Facility Asset Management Forum
  • GeoWERX Geospatial Demonstration
  • Exhibit Hall Featuring 200+ Leading A/E/C Companies
  • SAME Celebrations: Fellows Investiture, LDP Graduation, Society Ball & Awards Gala
SAME Capital Week – March 2023

SAME’s 2023 Capital Week is heading to Rockville, Maryland, March 27-29, 2023! Click here to register.

Open exclusively to SAME members, this opportunity will put you ahead of the curve in planning your company’s acquisition strategy. Hear about the government’s upcoming engineering, design, construction, and environmental programs during the FY2024 DOD & Federal Agency Programs Briefings. Network with senior leaders and meet directly from contracting representatives, flag and general officers, and other decision-makers from the engineering components of the military services and several federal agencies.

Capital Week Highlights Include:

  • Concurrent Briefings Presented by Government Agencies
  • Executive Leaders Panel
  • Pre and Post Conference Workshops
  • Networking Opportunities including the SAME Foundation Reception
  • Insights from Congressional Staffers on the President’s Budget
  • Academy of Fellows Luncheon (additional registration required)

Click here for more information!

SAME Rock Island Post Small Business Industry Day – March 2023

SAME Rock Island Post is hosting the upcoming 2023 Rock Island Small Business Industry Day on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CST). Click here to register.

SAME will also host a Pre-Conference Social and Networking Event the night before on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM (CST). Both events will be held at the River Center in Davenport, Iowa.

This is great opportunity to showcase your business’ unique capabilities and hear from speakers representing the private and public sectors discussing best practices and upcoming USACE projects. The event will include briefings from Rock Island District staff and opportunities to meet one on one with Government representatives and other businesses. This event is open to all businesses, small and large who are interested in doing business with the federal government.  

For more information about this event and a to see a full agenda, click here.

Where:

RiverCenter/Adler Theatre
136 East 3rd St.
Davenport, IA 52801  

Registration will close March 10, 2023 at 1700 CST.

Educational Webinars – January 2023

SAME hosted two educational webinars this month, January 10 and 18, 2023. Whether you are in uniform or a civilian, enlisted or officer, a new hire, mid-career manager, or senior executive, these educational webinars can benefit your career and strengthen your company or agency.

The first webinar, The Real Impact of SDVOSB Certification Transfer to SBA: Small Business COI, was on January 10, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT. Scott Semple, Managing Partner of NewTHINK Solutions LLC, is the presenter.

The second webinar, Reaching Underrepresented Communities Through Engineering For Us All, was on January 18, 2023, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT. Darryll Pines, Ph.D., President of University of Maryland, is the presenter.

These webinars are free for SAME members.

2022

Engineering Holiday Party – December 15, 2022
SAME Lake Michigan Post Holiday Party 2022

It is time to ring in the holidays with many of your favorite engineering based professional organizations! Join SAME, WTS, ASCE, ITE, ISPE, and CMAA for a great Holiday Party on Thursday, December 15, from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Francois Frankie in Chicago, IL. Click here to register!

This year we will be hosting the party in the loop at Francois Frankie.  Your ticket includes appetizers and 2.5 hours of open bar. Ticket price is $80.

This holiday party also provides an opportunity to support Toys for Tots! Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate.

Where: Francois Frankie, 222 W Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60606.

When: Thursday, December 15, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM


2022 USACE and LRD Industry Day – December 1, 2022

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD) is hosting their 2022 Industry Day event both virtually and in-person on Thursday December 1, 2022 from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM CDT at The Marriot River Center in Covington, KY.

USACE and LRD are hosting this event to provide understanding of current mission needs for our industry partners. The partners will participate, in person or virtually, in an informational session led by LRD command staff in the morning and networking opportunities with the seven districts during the afternoon. There will also be breakout sessions during the afternoon which will cover a variety of topics (e.g., Doing Business With Us, Technical Challenges, Partnering, etc.).

To view the flyer for this event and to read more, click here.

SAME Federal Small Business Conference (SBC) – November 2022

SAME’s 2022 Federal Small Business Conference (SBC) is headed to Nashville, TN, November 2-4, 2022. 

The Small Business Conference for the Federal Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Maintenance/Management Industry (SBC) brings together federal agencies and businesses operating in the federal marketplace to:

  • Deliver the most comprehensive and useful market research experience possible for all attendees
  • Learn of and/or share upcoming contracting opportunities for small businesses
  • Connect with teaming partners
  • Support the nation’s contracting goals
  • Engage in above-board networking between private companies and federal program managers and procurement/contracting officers.
DFD Collaborative Conference – October 6, 2022

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC) and the Division of Facilities Development (DFD) is hosting their annual Collaborative Conference on October 6, 2022 from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. Click here to register.

This is your best opportunity to learn and network with engineers, architects and state agency professionals working on state building projects. This event provides continuing education credits to attendees as well as a special, reduced rate for emerging professionals!

COAA-WI Fall 2022 Workshop – September 21, 2022

The Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) and its Wisconsin chapter are hosting their Fall 2022 Workshop on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Exact Sciences in Madison, WI. Click here to register.

Come for a day of learning and networking at the home of member organization Exact Sciences! The workshop includes discussions on The Value of Architecture and Flexible Design, followed by an optional tour of the amazing Exact Sciences campus. After the workshop, there is an optional happy hour at the nearby Vintage Brewing Company. For more information, click here.

Annual Yellow Ribbon Picnic – September 8, 2022

Thank you to all of our attendees and presenters!

Our day started out with everyone helping with the picnic set up, then sitting down together for a delicious lunch. Our speakers then took over, starting with MA1 Hawkins and Command Master Chief Corey who spoke about their long careers in the Navy. Then Liv Hatch spoke about her experiences from the SAME STEM summer camp, followed by Brittany Costa and JP Arangure from North Chicago Community Partners Program. Tony Billotti finished it up speaking about SAME.

Thank you to everyone who brought food, utensils, etc. and school supplies that were donated to the North Chicago Community Partners! We very much appreciate everything that was contributed!

SAME National Webinars in August 2022

Electrifying Transportation on DoD Installations – August 4, 2022, 1pm ET – This presentation focused on a holistic approach to installation electrification, looking at constituent mission interactions, equipment availability timelines, electric grid capacity, and grid upgrade timelines, and how these complex elements will play together in achieving a fully electrified fleet.

TME Presents: Leading the Way in a Crisis Event – August 9, 2022, 1pm ET – This webinar featured Capt. Jenee Jagoda, P.E., PMP, USAF, who was deployed to Al Udeid and was directly involved in the Afghanistan Noncombatant Evacuation Operation efforts as a member of the Emergency Operations Center. 

Which Engineering Specialty Is the Right Career Fit for You? – August 16, 2022, 2pm ET – Learn more about the different engineering specialties, the nature of the work, industry employment trends, and tips on moving up the ranks. Click here for more information.

Leader Development COI: The Power of Y.O.U. – August 18, 2022, 3pm ET – This SAME Leader Development webinar focused on three areas that directly impact your leadership acumen: Y – Your Values; O – Ownership of Behavior; and U – Understanding Others.


SAME Chicago LMP Annual Charity Boat Cruise – August 2, 2022

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Chicago and Lake Michigan Posts held their 15th Annual Boat Cruise Fundraiser on August 2nd, 2022 from 7:30-9:30pm at Wendella Boats, Trump Tower Dock (401 North Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL).

The 2- hour evening cruise, with our traditional pre-boarding gathering, is the highlight of our summer programs. Started in 2007, the event has raised over $45,000 for various veteran and military family support organizations, such as Fisher House—Illinois and Honor Flight—Chicago. Our goal for this year’s event is to raise $10,000 for these and other worthy organizations.

View the event flyer

SAME LMP Technical Series Part 1: Clean Water

SAME Lake Michigan Post Technical Series Part 1: Clean Water

Thank you to all of our attendees and speakers!

Our speaker, Bill Soucie, presented “Emerging Micropollutants in Water – A Large Public Water Supply Perspective.”

Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC) – July 13-14

The 16th Annual Government Opportunities Business Conference was held on July 13-14 in-person at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas.

Day 1: Grants and Funding

Day 2: Selling to the Government and Corporations.

Full agenda details can be found at www.wigobc.org.

16th Annual Wisconsin Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC)

SAME Annual Golf Outing – June 17 at Midlane Golf Resort

This year the annual SAME LMP Golf outing hosted 40 golfers and raised over $5,000 for their scholarship fund. LMP awarded $12,000 in eight scholarships for 2022.  Scott Jackson, champion of the scholarship program for SAME LMP,  presented the check to 3 of the recipients.

After the golf, the new SAME LMP Officers were installed – congratulations to all. Join us in congratulating the new leadership of the Post!

SAME – LMP Industry Day
SAME Lake Michigan Industry Day 2022

Thank you to all our attendees and presenters!

Presentations by the speakers will be posted to this site early next week.

Presentations


SAME LMP Industry Day is going LIVE!

Click here to register.

A copy of the agenda can be found here.

Join area Federal agency representatives, small and large businesses, business resources and special guests in a full day session of education, networking and funding updates. Click here to register.

Date: May 26, 2022

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 26225 Riverwoods Blvd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Presented By: The Society of American Military Engineers – Lake Michigan Post (SAME – LMP) and The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

Keynote Speaker: Congressman Brad Schneider

Schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • Breakfast and Registration: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
  • Program: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Federal Focus
  • Lunch, Keynote Speaker, and Networking: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Program: 1:00 – 4:00 PM Regional/Non-Federal Focus

Program Speakers Include:

  • Cmdr. Andrew Hunt, Public Works Officer, Naval Station Great Lakes
  • Fran Gomes, Director, Central Region, Office of Construction and Facilities Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Col. Paul Culberson, Commander and District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Chicago District.
  • Timothy McMahon, Plan Implementation and Legislative Affairs, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
  • Leon (Kip) Bordelon IV, Procurement Analyst, Acquisition Management Division, Great Lakes Region, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration
  • Lt. Cmdr. Alex Palmer, Deputy Public Works Officer, Naval Station Great Lakes
  • Tara O’Malley, Principal Financial Analyst, Regional Transportation Authority Illinois (RTA)
  • Kurt Woolford, Executive Director, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
  • Jose Rios, Region 1 Engineer, IDOT
  • Lanyea Griffin, PE, Interim Executive Director, Illinois Tollway
  • Jennifer Killen, Superintendent, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways

New SAME Members will receive $50 off the price of registration.

Join SAME. For questions on purchasing event tickets as a new SAME member, contact SAME LMP at SAMELMP100@gmail.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact SAMELMP100@Gmail.com for more information. Sponsorship Levels are Platinum – $500 and Gold – $250

Communities of Interest

SAME’s Communities of Interest offer members a chance to engage nationally with other professionals focused on a particular technical field or demographic within joint engineering and the A/E/C industry.