Welcome to our June NoVA Post Newsletter for an update on what’s happening. We are extremely excited that we had the chance to get together in-person on June 3^rd and look forward to doing so more often as we move forward in 2021.   

July 16: 2021 Scholarship Golf Tournament! We missed holding this signature event last year, so we expect this to highly anticipated event to sell out. As of June 3^rd, we still have open slots for both sponsors and golfers. The shotgun start is scheduled for 9:00 AM, Best Ball format at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, VA. I have heard of a few exciting and amazing surprises our committee has set up for the event. We think every attendee will enjoy it.  

Aug 5: Featured event with The Architect of the Capitol. Brett Blanton is coming to join us! This event will again be in-person; however, the location details are being worked out as I write this. We are trying another venue before settling on a standard one for our NoVA Post luncheon meetings.

Sep 2: Industry Government Engagement Event. Join us for a special multi-session Industry-Government Engagement (IGE) Workshop on "Improving Cybersecurity and Safety in Smart Buildings and Infrastructure.” The location is TBD with more information to follow. If you are interested in being involved as a Panelist, please contact Cathy Otis directly at cotis@gfnet.com

Oct 7: NoVA Post Centennial Event! Plans are underway for an event many of you have attended before, but this will be an event not to miss. It’s our Annual B2B (Business to Business) event, but this year, we plan to hold it at the very new and barely open (due to COVID) US Army Museum on Ft Belvoir. The venue is gorgeous, and they can hold the additional crowd we expect at this Centennial Event. Start thinking ahead about who will do your 3-minute brief and who will attend to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind event. The event will be held from 1-6 PM and consists of fast paced networking and enjoyment via our reception. You can come early to tour the Museum, at no extra charge, and grab lunch on your own at the Museum Café, or just show up at 1 PM for the B2B. Sponsorships and exhibit display tables will also be available.

As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, we’re excited about the members who volunteered when we reached out about available Post Board positions. Jim Donahue had many conversations with people interested in positions and many current Board members offered to continue on the Board, either in their same position or something new. With that in mind, our opportunity to vote for our new officers is now live and we’ve attached a link further down for ease. Please VOTE by July 8^th.

I also want to again welcome new members to SAME and/or new members who have changed to the Northern Virginia Post. We look forward to help growing those just starting their engineering journey and welcoming those in various stages of their careers. We hope to see many on July 16^th on the golf course or in the clubhouse.

Nick Desport, RA, LEED AP BD+C, F.SAME

Director of Business Development | Merrick & Company

On June 3rd, our Post hosted our first live event in over a year, and at a new location! Attendees heard from Roger Natsuhara, PE, MWAA on "Planning and Building Airports of the Future". We also had the chance to recognize many of our 2020 Post Awardees in person. Thanks to everyone who made this event successful! It was great to see many members in person, and for those who couldn't attend, we look forward to seeing you in the future! Click here to review the slides from all of our past events.

On behalf of your current NoVA Board Members, we would like to submit the upcoming slate of Officers for the 2021-2022 SAME NoVA Board. We are asking for NoVA Post Members to submit their votes by July 8, 2021.

Click here to cast your vote!

Join us for a special multi-session Industry-Government Engagement (IGE) Workshop on "Improving Cybersecurity and Safety in Smart Buildings and Infrastructure”. We are kicking off the discussion with a local in-person event on September 2nd featuring industry and federal agency experts who will address the need to establish a framework to promote cyber protections in controls and devices for enhanced human safety in our buildings and related infrastructure. This event will likely be held in Crystal City in Virginia. More information to follow.

Seeking 1-2 industry SMEs in the area of operational technology/smart buildings cybersecurity to POTENTIALLY participate on the IGE panel discussion in September. The panel will discuss "Improving Cybersecurity and Safety in Smart Buildings and Infrastructure” to address the need to establish a framework to promote cyber protections in controls and devices for enhanced human safety in our buildings and related infrastructure. This IGE will continue at SAME SBC in November as a CEO Roundtable Discussion and will include the private industry AE representative as part of this special task force. If you see yourself as an SME in the future of cybersecurity of operational technology and smart buildings and want to be part of the thought leaders discussing issues and resolutions around this timely topic please reach out to SAME NoVA Post Programs Director, Cathy Otis, cotis@gfnet.com, to provide interest and credentials to be chosen for this IGE Event. 

Congratulations to board member, Col. Joe Manous, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), who was presented the Walter O. Bachus Medal at this year's Virtual JETC! The Walter O. Bachus Gold Medal recognizes outstanding leadership and accomplishments in support of the SAME mission over one's entire period of membership in the Society, and is one of the highest honors awarded by SAME. This medal is the only award that has been presented every year since the Society’s founding. In 2005, it was renamed to honor long-time SAME Executive Director Brig. Gen. Walter O. Bachus, USA (Ret.), himself a two-time recipient. Congratulations Joe, NoVA post is extremely proud of you!

We wanted to extend a warm virtual welcome to new NoVA Post members who have joined this past month. We look forward to meeting you in the future!

To submit content to be included in next month's newsletter, please email sophia_gull@outlook.com. Content must be submitted by the Tuesday following the monthly board meeting. Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month.

Thanks in advance!

-Sophia Gull (NoVA Post Newsletter Editor)