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Our Mission: Build Leaders and Lead Collaboration among Government and Industry to Develop
Multi Disciplined Solutions to National Security
and Infrastructure Challenges
2030 SAME Strategic Plan
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Dear SAME NoVA Post Members,
Winter held on as long as it could, the March winds are blowing in, and daffodils are blooming! We have continued to stay busy with activities.
We just had our annual lunch at George Mason University with our Student Chapter and had a great event with lots of conversations about what the Chapter is doing. We had some brainstorming conversations trying to develop more ways to support the students. Below we have a lot of updates from the Student Chapter as they catch us up on what they have been doing.
In addition to talking with the GMU students, we had a great presentation from Colleen Agan with the Institute of Transportation Engineers and representing the Engineering Workforce Consortium. This is an opportunity for collaboration on how we can address the workforce shortage in the engineering field. Slides will be posted on our Presentation page.
Also at the GMU event, we honored two of our long serving Post Fellows, Mary Anderson, F.SAME and Joe Manous, Ph.D., PE, F,SAME with the Doug Lehman Award (Post Service Award). I was honored to be the one to recognize their service. Joe has been a SAME Member since 1981, and Mary has been with SAME since 1991. Both have stayed involved with the Post over the years including being our Post Presidents. Mary continued to be our Regional Vice President and has been active on our Board as well as involved at the Blue Ridge Post. Joe has been an Adjunct Professor at GMU working with the students as well as being active on our Board. Personally I have enjoyed working with them over the past 10+ years and always value their guidance and input.
We have a busy spring and summer coming up! We have an awesome project tour at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Home. But don’t wait to sign up - we have a limited number of spots! We have our Golf Tournament coming up and two joint events with the DC Post – the Twilight Tattoo at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and GovCon Rockstars Rock Climbing. Check out all the details below!
Lastly, I would like to thank all those who responded to our survey. We value your feedback and will review the responses to make sure we provide value for our members. We did randomly choose two lucky winners from those who responded to the survey, and they each won a $100 VISA Gift Card! Vineet Nair, our Membership Director, utilized Rafflys to randomly pick someone. Our winners were Shane Gregory from WSP and Alicia Colon from exp Federal! (I had nothing to do with who was chosen, so it wasn’t a fix! 😊) Congratulations to both of our winners!
Thank you again for your continued support of SAME and our Post. Please reach out if you have any comments or suggestions!
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SAME NOVA Bowling Night: Strikes, Spares, and Networking Wins!
On February 19th, SAME NOVA members, GMU Students and friends gathered at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall bowling alley for a night of friendly competition and great company. Strikes, spares, and the occasional gutter ball brought plenty of cheers and groans as participants rotated through the lanes, enjoying a lively and relaxed atmosphere.
At the end of the night, we awarded the high and low scores of the evening. Christopher Blanchette (CDM Smith) claimed the high score with a Kaiva power bank prize, while Noemi Umanzor (GMU Student Chapter) also took home a win with a Kaiva power bank for a not as high score. Thank you to Jeff Revis (Kaiva Services) for sponsoring this fantastic evening!
Beyond the pins and prizes, the event was a perfect opportunity to forge new connections and reconnect with familiar faces. Thanks to all who joined us for a memorable night of bowling and networking!
From the SAME-GMU Students
This year, SAME-GMU has been focused on bringing students and professionals
together. They have created opportunities to learn, network, and grow. Partnering with the SAME Northern Virginia (NOVA) Post, the chapter has participated in events to help bridge the gap between college and the professional world. On Wednesday February 19th, one of the events was a networking bowling night. It was easygoing, with no pressure at all—just great conversations and some friendly competitions. Between frames, students connected with engineers and industry leaders, asking about career paths, internships, and real-world experiences. The event made networking feel natural. It helped students build relationships in an easy, approachable way.
| | | | A big thank you to our sponsor Kaiva Strategies! | | Lunch with GMU Student Chapter | | |
Last week the SAME NoVA Post gathered at George Mason University for the annual SAME-CEI Luncheon, joined by the GMU student chapters of SAME, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Engineers for International Development (EfID). This event allowed both students and professionals to network and showcase their ongoing commitment to engineering and service.
ASCE presented their role in setting up industry panels, organizing a career fair, and preparing for the upcoming annual ASCE student competitions. EfID shared updates of their ongoing clean water project in Costa Rica and their recent success at VWEA competitions, winning both first and second place.
The SAME student chapter discussed their collaboration with EfID on the Costa Rica project and their commitment to fostering connections with the SAME NoVA Post through their consistent attendance at various events, including Business-to-Business meetings, the Annual Fall Festival, and the networking bowling event. These events have provided students with valuable networking opportunities to help them build the SAME community and encourage students to take active leadership roles in the organization. The GMU SAME chapter also proudly announced that the club has had an increase of active members and celebrated their advancement to the second round of the National SAME student design competition.
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Following the students’ presentations, the luncheon featured a brief awards ceremony and a talk from guest speaker, Colleen Agan. Joe Manous and Mary Anderson received the Doug Lehman Award for their dedication, commitment, and service to the Post. Students Fernando Rodriguez and Kevin Munson were also honored with leadership awards for their contributions to the student chapter’s growth.
Colleen Agan, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Membership Officer for the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), delivered an enlightening presentation on workforce development. Representing the Engineering Workforce Consortium, she addressed challenges like under representation and workforce shortages in engineering. She emphasized the importance of recruiting new talent, fostering inclusive opportunities, and retaining skilled professionals to secure the industry’s future. Her speech underscored the role of organizations like SAME in bridging the gap between students and industry leaders to ensure the sustainability of a robust engineering workforce.
To conclude the event, Bill Haight, PE, F.SAME, who is also an Adjunct Professor at GMU, recognized our co-host the Civil Engineering Institue (CEI) and those who were in the audience and are a member of the CEI. They are an industry advisory group to the GMU Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Department. The CEI is composed of engineering leaders from industry, government, and academia.
| | SAME-GMU International Efforts | | |
This year, the George Mason University (GMU) Society of American Military Engineers
(SAME) student chapter partnered with George Mason Engineers for International Development (EfID) to bring clean water to a community in Los Andes, Costa Rica.
By combining SAME’s focus on engineering excellence with EfID’s mission for sustainable development, students worked together to design and build a reliable water system that addressed ongoing shortages. The project was an 800-watt solar-powered grid, running a DC well pump to provide a steady water supply. The system included 300 meters of piping, multiple house connections, and a storage tower with tanks to ensure a reliable reserve. To make sure the water was safe, the team also installed a spin-down filter, a 5-micron filter, and a chlorine disinfection process.
This was more than just an engineering project; it offered practical experience in solving real-world problems. Students collaborated with the community, witnessing firsthand how their work would enhance daily life. Through this partnership, SAME and EfID members applied their technical knowledge in a meaningful way. One that will have a lasting impact.
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The DC & NoVA Posts are proud to host the “O-G” Regional Leadership & Mentoring Program (LMP) – one of the first within SAME founded in approximately 2016. We facilitate monthly discussions between our 13 members of this year’s class and our speakers who are Fellows, leaders in/from government, and unofficial mentors from across our Society.
On 19 Feb 2025, we held our monthly LMP program at Arlington National Cemetery where COL Pete Mueller, PE, USA Ret, F.SAME shared his insights and leadership lessons from the U.S. Army, private industry, and from his experiences as a SES and Chief Engineer at the Architect of the Capitol. Very much appreciate Pete’s support every year of our program. And special thanks to Ms. Karen “KD-A” Durham-Aguilera and LTC Paul Sipe for hosting us at ANC!
| | Next, our LMP will meet at Deloitte’s office in Rosslyn and learn from a panel of speakers from the Joint Staff of the Office of the Secretary of Defense focusing on leadership and managing complex organization structures at the Pentagon. Thank you to 2023 LMP grad Antonio Alaimo for organizing this and to Mr. Mark Donnithorne, Col Brad Bucholz, Mr. Dominic Sparacio, and Lt Col Korinne Takeyama for speaking to our class. Also special thanks to 2023 LMP grad Lt Col Pat Ernst and Deloitte for hosting us at their Rosslyn office. | | SAME DC & NoVA Post George Washington's Mount Vernon Tour | | |
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
Time: 11AM - 1:30PM
Location: Mount Vernon
There will be a presentation by Tom Whitemore, the Vice President of Historical Preservation.
Following that, we will alternate between lunch and guided tours of the construction site with the Christman Project Manager and Crew.
Registration:
SAME Member: $90
Non-SAME Member: $140
Agenda:
10:30 - 11:00: Registration
11:00 -11:30: Presentation by Christman Company about the Manor restoration
11:30 -1:30: Buffet Food service will be open and networking
11:30 -1:30: Tours will be on-going throughout lunch
Things to Know:
Full PPE is required (hard hat, closed toe shoes, gloves, and goggles) You will not be able to go on the tour without it!
Questions? Contact
Chris Ley (cley@szpmconsultants.com) or
Sapna Minocha (sminocha@actalentservices.com)
| | 25th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament | | |
Come out on
May 22nd for a
day of golf, networking,
games, and lunch.
Registration and Sponsorship is open, so sign up today!
Cost:
$200 - per Player
$ 85 - Active Duty
Military/Gov't
$ 55 - Lunch Only
For more information on Sponsorship
| | DC and NoVA Posts Indoor Rock Climbing | | |
Join the SAME DC and NoVA Posts Young Professionals (all ages and levels welcome!) for our 2nd annual active networking event with GovCon Rockstars!
First-time visitors to Sportrock enter and get gear at no charge – as guests of GovCon Rockstars. Returning Rockstars get the special rate of $16 per person. Free for Sportrock members.
Event Contact:
Judy Bradt, CEO, Summit Insight (Judy.Bradt@SummitInsight.com)
| | SAME DC & NoVA Posts Twilight Tattoo | | DC and NoVA Post Small Business Conference | | | | |
SAVE THE DATE
SAME DC & NoVA Post's 17th Annual Small Business Conference
Date: July 9, 2025
Location: Washington, DC
| | 2025 Board of Direct Election | | | | |
Deadline: April 15, 2025
Voting for the SAME National Board of Direction Election is now open - make your voice heard by casting your vote for President-Elect, Vice President, and Elected Directors to help shape the future of the Society!
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Upcoming Veterans Events:
Apr 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Art of Onboarding: How to Succeed in Your New Role
Information and Registration Here
Apr 24, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
MOAA’s Virtual Career Fair Featuring Flexible Work Arrangements
Information and Registration Here
May 19, 2025
21st Annual MOAA Charities Golf Classic
TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, MD
Information and Registration Here
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SAME DC & Mid-Maryland Posts
Mar 26, 2025
Bowling Social Networking Lunch & SAME Foundation FUN-Raiser
North Bethesda, MD
Tickets & Information
SAME Blue Ridge Post
Mar 27, 2025
Engaging Transitioning Military Talent
Winchester, VA
Registration
SAME DC Post
Save the Date | June 12, 2025
SAME SC w/ ACEC MW & CMAA NCC
2025 June Joint Conference
National Press Club, DC
Information
SAME DC & NoVA Posts
June 26, 2025
Indoor Rock Climbing
Sportrock, Alexandria
Registration & Information
SAME DC & NoVA Posts
Save the Date | July 9th, 2025
17th Annual Small Business Conference
Capital Turnaround, DC
Information
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Mar 24 - 26, 2025
Capital Week (SAME Member's Only Conference)
Bethesda/Rockville, MD
Information & Registration
May 13 - 15, 2025
2025 Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo
Loiuisville, KY
Information & Registration
Save the Date | Aug 3 - 5, 2025
2025 Post Leaders Workshop
Scottsdale, AZ
Information
Save the Date | Nov 19 - 21, 2025
2025 Federal Small Business Conference
Phoenix, AZ
Information
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To submit content for next month's newsletter, please email Amber.watson@arcadis.com or Leah.clark@arcadis.com. Content must be submitted by the Tuesday following the monthly meeting. Board meetings are typically held on the first Friday of each month.
Thanks for reading!
Amber and Leah (NoVA Post Newsletter Editors)
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