Celebrating SAME Members for Black History Month 2024

In celebration of Black History Month, SAME will be spotlighting the contributions and achievements of African-Americans in the military engineering and A/E/C industry. Throughout the entire month, SAME will be highlighting stories from our members on our website and social media. Follow along with the hashtags #BlackHistoryMonth and #SAMECelebrates.

SAME chatted with a few of its members about what their career journeys have been like, the professional accomplishments they are the most proud of, and advice they would share with other members of the profession. Read on for their insights and be inspired by their accomplishments!

Donn L. Booker, Sr., PMP, F.SAME

Vice President, Sheladia Associates, Inc. 

Donn Booker, Sr. was inspired into the engineering field by his father, a U.S. Air Force paramedic who served in the Korean Conflict. Donn became interested in electronics after watching his father repair early tube televisions in the evenings, and after taking an electronics class in high school, Donn was hooked. He followed this passion into North Carolina A&T State as an undergrad and later, Georgia Tech for grad school.

Mentors and collaboration have always been key to Donn’s career path. He believes his success is based not only on his own planning and goals, but on the collaboration, gifts, and talents of others. Donn is proud of his accomplishments, but he is even more appreciative of the teams he’s led and the professional objectives they’ve achieved together.

Donn remembers his first career milestone while serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Benning, Ga. He was tasked to serve as lead project engineer of a multi-million-dollar upgrade of the base’s WW2 era facilities. This project showed him how teamwork and collaboration with various stakeholders could achieve success. In 2003, Donn led nine civilian professionals into Iraq on a mission to develop base master plans for Coalition Forces. Later, Donn worked as a Senior Executive for USACE in Afghanistan. Throughout these experiences, Donn attributes his professional drive to the challenge of solving problems and the camaraderie of people from varying backgrounds and cultures. More than anything he is motivated by his faith and his strong bonds with his wife and family.

On reflection on Black History Month, Donn writes, “As a community, we must continue asking ourselves where we go from here. How can we solve problems that will benefit others? Will we take the easy path or work towards a brighter future? We must always strive to find solutions and collaborate to make a positive impact. Our nation has achieved so much, but we can gain even more by embracing diversity of thought and culture working side by side together.”

Mychael Gaines

Federal Senior Business Development Coordinator, TranSystems

Mychael’s professional career in the A/E/C industry began at a Veterans’ charity event. From a background in education, he transitioned into business development with a global management group in 2020, during the tumult of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With a Naval officer father and a mother who was a special education teacher, “can’t” was never allowed to be said in Mychael’s house. Beginning a new job that required him to build personal relationships, Mychael had to find creative ways to connect with professionals in the industry. Taking full advantage of virtual meetings, including the virtual SAME Small Business Conference, SAME Mid-Maryland Post’s Virtual Holiday Happy Hours and other online avenues, Mychael persevered. After the Covid restrictions were lifted, Mychael discovered that he had made many meaningful relationships in spite of the limitations of the pandemic. Today, he concedes that his career journey has been anything but normal, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

As the SAME Baltimore Post’s United States Naval Academy’s Student Chapter Chair, Mychael enjoys being able mentor and encourage these future Naval officers and help them to develop and grow their professional networks in the Society. He is also motivated knowing that his influence leads to solutions that help his entire team thrive, and that his work impacts national security and improves the lives of veterans. Mychael looks up to his grandfather’s hard work and determination and is inspired by his mother as a champion for children who couldn’t advocate for themselves.  On Black History Month, Mychael sees it as a month of reflection, celebration and remembrance that cannot fit into 28 or 29 days. “Black History is American History and should be celebrated every day. Although we have made great strides and progress, it’s a great reminder that we as Americans still have work to do.”

NK Mbaya, CPSM, F.SAME

Business Development & Capture Manager, S&B Christ Consulting, LLC

NK found the A/E/C industry after coming to the US as a graduate student studying international business. Her love of STEM education, inspired by her mother – a lifelong educator, would work its way into her professional career. NK landed a job in marketing for an engineering firm which she thought would be temporary. Now, after more than 20 years in the profession, she is very proud of her contributions to the industry and is especially proud of her resilience as a young, non-engineer black woman. She has overcome many obstacles to find success in the engineering community and enjoys giving back by mentoring the next generation in STEM. To NK, Black History month is a chance to recognize and appreciate the contributions, culture, resilience and the struggles of black people around the world.

Peter Rouse, M.A.

Associate Director, Federal Services, Colliers Engineering & Design

Peter Rouse is Associate Director of the Federal Services Division for Colliers Engineering & Design in Holmdel, N.J., where he has been instrumental in growing the company’s client base which has 75 office locations nationwide. However, if you ask him, his proudest professional accomplishment is receiving the U.S. Congressional Award for his invaluable service to the community.

Peter finds his inspiration in those around him. As a personal challenge to overcome many years struggling with dyslexia and inspired by his two teenage sons, Peter decided to pursue a doctorate degree at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School in Public Affairs. Between working, studying and raising a family, Peter still finds hours left to give back to his community. Peter spends his extra time as a SAME Board of Directors Baltimore Post member, Co-Chairman of the United States Naval Academy Engineering Organization, and a recent graduate of the SAME Leadership Mentor Program.

Many people have inspired Peter as a man of color, as a professional, a mentor, a leader and a parent but he is most grateful of his father, Jack Rouse who passed away in September 2023. Peter is deeply grateful for his father’s influence. Jack Rouse, served with the United States Air Force 366^th Tactical Fighter Wing during the Vietnam War. After returning from Vietnam, Jack had a successful career in the A/E/C industry. It was this dedication and perseverance that continues to inspire Peter in every aspect of his personal and professional life.

“As our Nation celebrates Black History month annually, I am humbled and reminded of the struggles and success of the men and women of color that came before me and created a platform and beacon of light for individuals such as myself to have an equal opportunity to achieve success in this country.”