Post Notes: June-July 2024

The Space Coast Post hosted a highly successful Federal Contracting Workshop and Small Business Industry Day in February, with over 200 enthusiastic attendees. The event began with an insightful legislative update from the office of Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), which set the tone for a day filled with valuable government briefings. Representatives from the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, USACE Mobile District and USACE Jacksonville District, NAVFAC Southeast, and the General Services Administration shared actionable insights into the evolving landscape of federal contracting.

With an impressive turnout of 109 companies, the afternoon portion provided ample opportunities for one-on-one networking sessions with the presenting agencies, as well as representatives from the Canaveral Port Authority, APEX Accelerator, Small Business Development Center, and Small Business Administration. Additionally, several corporate member firms showcased products and services, highlighting their capabilities and value-added resources. The day concluded with a relaxed social event, allowing for further networking and camaraderie.

The Boston Post, in conjunction with the Piscataqua Post and Narragansett Bay Post, hosted the 21st Annual Contracting Opportunities & Small Business Showcase in February. This event, which provides an opportunity for small companies and large businesses to meet and network with partners in the region, featured representatives from USACE, NAVFAC, U.S. Coast Guard, and Department of Veterans Affairs, with a keynote provided by Kimberly Buehler with the Department of the Army Office of Small Business.

The Posts in the Missouri River Region (Omaha Post, Greater Kansas City Post, St. Louis Post, Scott Field Post, and Fort Leonard Wood Post) hosted a “first time ever” joint event in March along with the American Public Works Association St. Louis Metro Branch. The event was hosted in-person in St. Louis as well as virtual for out-of-town members.

During the program, leadership with USACE Kansas City District delivered a luncheon presentation on its military programs, including support to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, the VA John Cochran Hospital, and the Over the Horizon Radar Oregon. The successful event drew around 125 attendees in total in its first iteration.

The New York City Post and West Point Student Chapter held their annual engineer dinner in February.

The event, which honors graduating cadets entering the Engineer Regiment, featured Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, USA, as guest speaker, and was hosted in partnership with the Army Engineer Association.

The Washington DC Post, in conjunction with the Joint Base Andrews Field Chapter, hosted a Joint Base Andrews Industry Forum in March. The event’s featured speaker, Lt. Col. Graham Auten, USAF, Commander, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron, discussed on-base activities and acquisition opportunities. Following his remarks, attendees engaged in an industry-government engagement session that focused on workforce development and retention to support installation personnel, with topics including career path insight, mentoring, credentialing opportunities, and industry partnering.

Attendance at the event was limited to 30 industry attendees in order to allow for another 30 Air Force personnel to attend and engage with the other participants. Following the program portion, participants gathered for a networking social.

The Baltimore Post held the annual Appreciation Dinner at the U.S. Naval Academy, which honors the school’s Trident and Bowman Scholars and celebrates the midshipmen graduating from the engineering programs. During the dinner, Fleet Master Chief Delbert Terrell Jr., USN, provided the keynote address.

The Orange County Post helped sponsor the 2024 AAUW Long Beach Branch STEM Career Conference in February. This outreach event, which drew more than 50 volunteers, helped to highlight STEM opportunities for middle school girls and encouraged them to pursue STEM-related careers.

The students enjoyed a set of 10 hands-on workshops led by women who work in STEM fields—with activities including water treatment filter testing, MRI and ultrasound imaging, and building structures from dry spaghetti and marshmallows.

This year, the STEM Career Conference welcomed around 250 middle school-age girls from 10 different schools, the majority of which came from low-income areas. Over 3,330 girls have participated in the event since it first started 20 years ago.

The Albuquerque Post, as part of SAME’s AI/AN STEM Pathways Program, purchased $1,350 of STEM/learning activity kits for the Pueblo of San Felipe After School Program. This initiative regularly sees between 10 and 25 students participate, with the majority ranging in ages from six to 15.

The Post plans to continue supporting to the program in 2024 with additional grant funding and by hosting STEM events.

The Omaha Post drew more than 100 middle schoolers and high school students with a keen interest in the engineering and construction industries to its Engineering Workshop 2024. Held in Elkhorn, Neb., in conjunction with USACE Omaha District, the event marked a significant milestone in community engagement and STEM education.

The workshop kicked off with an insightful presentation by Col. Robert Newbauer, USA, Commander, USACE Omaha District, which set the stage for a series of engaging and educational activities for the students, all of which were designed to highlight the vast opportunities and exciting challenges within the field of engineering.

A particular highlight of the day was the bridge-building exercise, where teams of students utilized popsicle sticks and glue to construct bridges, which were then tested for strength. This hands-on activity not only encouraged creativity and problem-solving but it also fostered a competitive spirit among the participants.

The competition culminated in a victory for the team from Gross Catholic High School, whose bridge supported 61-lb.

The Charleston Post in January hosted a forum to lead conversations between industry representatives and USACE Charleston District.

Lt. Col. Rachel Honderd, USA (Ret.), the Post President, moderated the panel discussion, which featured representatives from the district and focused on upcoming project opportunities, ongoing challenges, and ways that the private sector can engage with them to support its needs.

The San Juan Field Chapter, which is sponsored by the Jacksonville Post, held a meeting in March that focused on the re-construction of U.S. Coast Guard Base San Juan.

The event featured a presentation from Lt. Cdr. Wes Agee, USCG, Senior Coast Guard Construction Project Manager for Puerto Rico, who discussed ongoing efforts to repair facilities damaged due to Hurricane Maria in 2017.

At a luncheon of the Anchorage Post celebrating National Engineer’s Week, Bill Kontess presented Col. Pat Coullahan, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.), with the SAME Regional Fellows Medal.

The Buffalo Post sponsored a “Day with an Engineer” educational event for Girl Scouts in March. This year’s activities included several STEM experiments and demonstrations, such as a “create your own aquifer” activity.

Using cups, sand, gravel, clay, water, and red food coloring, the students from the area were able to see how water flows through different media in an aquifer and how contamination can impact such systems.

The Vicksburg Post held a math competition for local students in January at the headquarters for USACE Vicksburg District, which co-hosted the event. The math competition was for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and drew attendees from seven different local schools.

Col. Chris Klein, USA, Commander, USACE Vicksburg District, welcomed the students and explained how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is essential to the USACE mission. The format of the competition was inspired by MATHCOUNTS, a national program that allows students to participate in live, in-person mathematic contests with their peers and is designed to build the confidence and problem-solving skills of local students. Henry Dulaney, F.SAME, Vicksburg District Chief of Engineering & Construction, recognized winners and presented awards at the end of the competition.

Portland Post members enjoyed a private tour at the Oregon Military Museum as part of its April meeting. The afternoon activity included a light lunch followed by a guided tour through the museum to learn more about the military history of Oregon.

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.