Celebrating SAME Members During Member Appreciation Week 2023

A Celebration of SAME Members!

To honor our members and the contributions they make every day to the federal A/E/C industry at the local, regional, and national level, from July 10-July 14 SAME held their first Member Appreciation Week to showcase the unique and talented men and women who work to develop leaders, promote industry-government cooperation, and strengthen our national security.

Each day, SAME presented a daily email with a video message by a member highlighting a different benefit of SAME membership, along with our thanks and appreciation to members reaching multi-year milestones with a raffle each day. Members joined in the fun by downloading a digital sticker, posting on social media using #SAMEMembers, and #SAMECelebrates; engaging in live polls, or joining a COI or local Post. Finally, members who updated their membership were entered into a drawing for a free 2024 national event registration. Congratulations goes out to Danny Platt of the San Antonio Post for winning our grand prize drawing for a free SAME event registration!

Finding the Value of Your Membership

On Monday, July 10 we kicked off Member Appreciation Week with a video message from SAME National President, Col. Charlie Perham, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.), outlining his own experience of becoming a member, and what’s in store for the week ahead. We celebrated members who had 50 years with the Society and Gary Vest won the day’s raffle! Congratulations Gary, and thanks to all who have been with SAME for an incredible 50 years!

SAME President Perham Kicks Off Member Appreciation Week

“It is SAME member appreciation week!
As a student member I would really like to show my appreciation for all this organization has done with me in evolving my career and love for the profession. In 2019 I joined the organization and attended their S.A.M.E STEM Summer Camp at Port Hueneme, CA in collaboration with the U.S. Navy SEABEES. This opportunity excited me to go into STEM, but also solidified my confidence that this was an achievable dream for me.”

Nathan Sharp, physics/mechanical engineering honors student at Slippery rock University

Tuesday, July 11 featured a video greeting from Lt. Col. Mike Darrow, P.E., PMP, F.SAME, USA (Ret.), SAME National Vice President. The day was focused on joining a Post and emphasized the Post resource center. We honor and thank all of our members who have been with us for 35 years. The lucky winner of the raffle was Sonya Brown! Congratulations and thank you!

Wednesday, July 12 was COI day! Communities of Interest are a value-added benefit that any member can take advantage of. COIs are a great way to engage with professionals who specialize in a particular community of interest or demographic within the A/E/C industry. Angie Martinez, P.E., F.SAME, President of Business Development, Martinez Construction Services, discussed COIs, the archive of COI webinars, and this invaluable professional resource. We celebrate our members who have hit that 20 year membership milestone! Thank you for all you do! Congratulations to Col. Patrick Obruba USAF (Ret.), our daily raffle winner!

Angie Martinez, P.E., F.SAME, President of Business Development, Martinez Construction Services

“I’ve been a SAME member for over 20 years. The organization has allowed me to hone my skills with some of the best professionals in the industry. Thank you SAME!”

jeff davis, f.same, vp., national director of federal services at terracon

Thursday, July 13 was all about TME – The Military Engineer. Master Sgt. Brad Wilson, USAF, Chair, Enlisted COI, told us why he appreciates TME and why it’s his go-to travel read! As a member, you have digital access to every TME dating back to the first issue in 1909–an incredible trove of information at your fingertips. We also gave a big shout out to our members of 10 years! We thank you for your continued and loyal support. The raffle today was won by Rebecca Werket. Way to go!

Master Sgt. Brad Wilson, USAF, Chair, Enlisted COI

On Friday, July 13 we wrapped up our week long celebration of our amazing members! Sharon Krock, SPWS, F.SAME, SAME President-Elect, focused on Professional Development. Members have access to all of our back catalogs of webinars, covering topics from highly technical discussions to ways to hone your leadership skills. SAME members looking to pursue a credential have access to a plethora of resources to help guide them along their journey, along with access to our career center when searching for new opportunities. Our final raffle of the week went to Stephen Thibaudeau! Congratulations! Our final milestone appreciation goes our to members who have been with us for 5 years! Thank you for your membership, your commitment and your continued support.

Sharon Krock, SPWS, F.SAME, SAME National Vice President, rounds out SAME’s Member Appreciation Week.

“31 years ago I attended my first SAME Luncheon in Port Hueneme, while attending Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officers School. I am so glad I did! This fantastic organization had been a source of professional opportunities and personal friendships while providing a way to engage and support the military engineering community.”

jim wink, PE, VP and managing principal at huitt-zollars, inc.

SAME’s 2023 Member Appreciation Week may have officially ended, but our admiration and respect for our members will carry on! The dedication and commitment that the 26,000 A/E/C professionals in our SAME family show every day never ceases to impress us.

Thanks to all of our members! We appreciate all that you do today, and every day, for your service to the Society, our profession, and our great nation. Continue to share your favorite SAME photos and moments on social media, and most importantly remember…find your value and be the value!

Celebrate with us next year, and visit the Membership COI to learn more!

member appreciation week logo

Spotlight on Our Members

SAME’s multidisciplined membership spans the uniformed government, government civilian, private industry, academia, nonprofit, and student sectors. Through our uniquely joint environment, Society members collaborate and drive solutions for some of the toughest engineering challenges facing the A/E/C industry and our national security. Learn more about the benefits of SAME membership.