LDP: Leaders to Watch

SAME Leader Development Class 2025 – 2026

The SAME Leader Development Program (LDP) is a prestigious initiative designed to cultivate leadership skills in mid-career professionals within the engineering community. Now in its seventh year, the program offers a dynamic curriculum that includes speakers, training sessions, discussions, and group exercises. Participants also complete a Utilization Project aimed at addressing a significant engineering challenge.

The 2025-2026 class consists of 20 selected members who begin their year-long journey in May at the Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. Funded entirely by the SAME Foundation, the program is a cornerstone for developing future leaders in the A/E/C profession.

2025 – 2026 Class Members

SAME Leader to Watch: Ilene Allen — Ilene Carreon-Allen, Coffman Engineers, Northern Tier Region

SAME Leader to Watch: Jacob Ambrose — Ilene Carreon-Allen, Coffman Engineers, Northern Tier Region

Fun Facts about Each Member of the 2025-2026 Class

Member	Fun Facts
Ilene Carreon-Allen	I enjoy halibut fishing My career journey began as an intern, transitioned as a full-time employee, moved offices multiple times Scored 100% on my drivers license after 6 tries
Jacob Ambrose, P.E.	I enjoy outdoor activities including Rock Climbing where I’ve traveled as far as Thailand. I have degrees in Mathematics and Physics before I got my Engineering degree because I didn’t know what I wanted to do I still drive a manual transmission car
Lt. Cdr. Patrick Debroisse	I have been to victory lane at Daytona Motor Speedway as a crew member I have a 4 year old son and another one on the way (due in August) I was the first certified Master Hydrographer by the Hydrographic Society of America
Harold Eberbach	English Wasn’t My First Language – I didn’t speak English until I moved to the U.S. at 12, which made adjusting to a new culture an adventure of its own Spurs for Life – I’m a die-hard San Antonio Spurs fan and will passionately defend the team, no matter the season Coffee & Chocolate Roots – My family owns a coffee and chocolate farm in the Philippines, so I take my caffeine and sweets very seriously
Capt. Billy Edenfield, PMP	I have set foot on all seven continents My first high school job was at an amusement park. Twenty years later, I’m back in the industry, and my current military assignment is a fellowship at a theme park My wife and I won a fan photo contest and were featured on the jumbotron at a South Korean Baseball Game
Maj. Patrick Ernst, USAFR	Originally from the Cleveland, OH, area Fostered a dog for the first time this year Hopes to gain Lithuanian citizenship and retire to the EU
Craig Franzel	I am an extremely avid fly-fisherman make a yearly trip to Slovenia to practice my hobby I have been to Ireland and Japan for work dozens of times, so if you are looking for travel and restaurant tips, let me know I have seen the world’s two tallest structures (at the time) on the same day (Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Tokyo Skytree)
Camille Gozum	I can finish a book in a single day when I’m hooked in the story or topic I have taken meditation as a habit for over 10 years now, I meditate in the morning before my day begins My sister and I were recipients of multiple SAME scholarships in college, thank you SAME
Adam Hanks	My dad is as tall as Abraham Lincoln (without his hat) George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and my Dad all worked as surveyors – Jonah, 8 (it was presidents day recently, so lots of Abraham Lincoln facts…) My dad likes to get us illegal Kinder Eggs on his trips because we’re smart enough to not eat the toy inside the chocolate – Amelia, 10 (they aren’t illegal, I swear, you just can’t get them in the US)
Brent Kent	Alabama Football Fan – Roll Tide! Enjoys Camping with my family Avid golfer with a declining golf game
Kristen Lary	My Dog, Miggsy, Thinks She’s My Coworker If I’d Known ‘Scuba Instructor on a Mega Yacht’ Was a Career Option at 18, My Life Might Look Very Different: I’ve Experienced a Snowy Lambeau Field – As a Dolphins Fan
Lt. Col. Richard Mahn, P.E., PMP	I’m part owner and lifelong diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers! I love playing golf though my score reflects that golf probably doesn’t love me I love all things DIY and working with my hands
Sabrina Mohazzabfar, P.E.	I grew up playing competitive soccer, from age 8 through college at Cal Poly SLO I have attended (4) FIFA World Cups I have been to the top of the tallest building in the world
Curtis Reed,	In high school, I was in a rock band that got to play at Busch Stadium in St Louis before a Cardinals baseball game For my 18th birthday I went skydiving and the first parachute didn’t work, requiring me to use the spare I love the TV show Survivor and apply yearly. Hoping to get my shot one of these years!
Matthew Riggs	Husband to my awesome wife & dad of two incredible kids – both skiing before their 4th birthday! West Point collegiate mascot circa 2012-2014, as seen on TV! Descendent of a semi-infamous western outlaw, Barney K Riggs. I promise we’ve learned to manage our anger a bit better than Uncle Barney ever did.
Robert Sinclair	Ran with the bulls at the “encierro” in Pamplona during the festival of San Fermin Studied abroad in Ireland during college Plays in an over-30’s soccer league
Elena Soto	On any given day, you might catch Elena unknowingly switching between English, Spanish, and Cantonese An episode of X Files was filmed at Elena’s elementary school. That hallway will always be scary Elena enjoys collecting sports and pop culture trading cards. Ask her what her favorite card is!
Robert Trotta, PMP	I am a volunteer firefighter for my town I love sports, player rugby, competitive powerlifting, college football and currently enjoy coaching my sons football team I like to travel and have been to 19 countries. I hope to travel to every continent
Kayla Jonas	I love football with a passion. I’m a huge Bengals and Bearcat football fan. I have won 3 fantasy football championships and play in several leagues every year I’m an avid gamer and enjoy playing a variety of titles from board games to Xbox. I actively watch the Call of Duty League esports season every year. My favorite team is Optic Texas I have worked on several amusement parks including Cedar Point, Carowinds and Kings Island. My favorite project that I have worked on at an amusement park was Aeronautica’s Landing at Carowinds
Sgt. Maj. Melissa Wright, PMP	Growing up as one of six kids, I learned early on the value of collaboration, adaptability, and building strong relationships Over the past 15 years, I’ve moved 7 times Outside of work, I’m tackling the Appalachian Trail in smaller segments

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Hear From LDP Graduates!

The Leadership Development Program has allowed me to make several connections and relationships with other members and to gain leadership knowledge and skills that I could bring to the teams I work with. It also inspired me to find more opportunities to further get involved.
Brittany Schultze, Black & Veatch, LDP Class of 2022

Meet Past Leader Development Program Classes

Meet the 2024-25 Class

Alyssa Agustin, PMP

Amber Weber, MBA

Bobbi Jo Lang

Lt. Chibuzor, Oziligbo, P.E., PMP, CEC, USN

Chris Artz, P.E., CHMM

Christina Jettie, P.E.

Eva Gonzales, P.E.

Lt. Col. Jack Johannes, P.E., USA (Ret.)

Maj. Jesse Davis, P.E., CCM, USA

Kyle Young

Lt. Cdr. John M. Nurthen

Lynelle Brode, PMP

Megan Windeknecht

Sam Barnett

Samantha Long, PMP

Shirley Albritton, P.E, PMP

Stephen Price, PG, PMP

Tech Sgt. Joshua A. Dane

Zachary Pesicka, P.E., PMP

Learn more about the class of 24 – 25

Meet the 2023-24 Class

Aaron Burrows

Alexander Bohlin

Alyson White

Christian Ward

Emelia Brooks-Sisco

Joseph Brejda

JR Gregory

Kathleenann Brunstad

Kathryn Thomas

Kaylee Kostka

Kevin Chatary

Larry Estrella

Lawrence Mullaly

Mary Londquist

Matthew Nelson

Pamela Nugent*

Rene Cortez

Thomas Heesom

Travis Cummins

Learn more about the class of 23 – 24

Meet the 2022-23 Class

Lt. Cdr. Steven Becker, P.E., USCG, Coast Guard Base Miami Beach (South Florida Post)

Chief Master Sgt. Adam Boubede, USAF, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron (Kaiserslautern Post)

Cameron Bowsky, P.E., Matrix Design Group (Pikes Peak Post)

Lt. Cdr. Jaison Eapen, USPHS, USPHS/OS (New Jersey Post)

Josh Graham, P.E., CCM, PMP, HDR (San Antonio Post)

Andy Harlan, Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (Nashville Post)

Jacob Hilton, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, Dewberry (Fort Bragg Post)

Capt. Mack Howell, TP.E., USAR, Ball Maritime Group (Savannah Post)

Capt. Jenee Jagoda, USAF, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron (Kittyhawk Post)

Brittany Kallenberger, Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. (Greater Kansas City Post)

Merle Keener, GuernseyTingle (Virginia Peninsula Post)

James Kirk, The Weitz Company (Phoenix Post)

Anne MacMillan, Bluestone Environmental Group, Inc. (Boston Post)

Camille Murray, Eurofins Calscience (Orange County Post)

Maj. Victor Nelson, P.E., PMP, USA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Detroit Post)

Catherine Niles, AFG Group, Inc. (Washington DC Post)

Brandi Smith, Wood (Kentuckiana Post)

Jennifer Snape, P.E., Batture (Louisiana Post)

Capt. Andrew Storey, P.E., USA, U.S. Army Student Detachment (Honolulu Post)

Maj. Brec Wilshusen, P.E., USAF (Ret.), 55th Civil Engineer Squadron (Omaha Post)

Meet the 2021-2022 Class

Capt. Victoria Cachro, USAF, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron (Korea Post)

Josh Cohen, P.E., PMP, Kiewit (Louisiana Post)

Capt. Eric Collett, USA, HQ USACE (Washington DC Post)

Taylor Daigle, P.E., Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (Louisiana Post)

Julie Eiter, P.E., LEED AP, Black & Veatch (Greater Kansas City Post)

Suzanne Grix, Forgen LLC (Sacramento Post)

Frances Hinkley, P.E., Jacobs (Mobile Post)

James Kline, P.E., LC, National Institute of Building Sciences (Mid-Maryland Post)

Lori Kropidlowski, Ahtna Solutions LLC (Anchorage Post)

Pamela Little, P.E., PMP, Pond & Company (Atlanta Post)

Matt Matteson, P.E., PG, Wood (Detroit Post)

Dr. Joshua McClure, P.E., CFM, PMP, Halff Associates Inc. (Fort Worth Post)

Cdr. Kris Neset, P.E., USPHS, Centers for Disease Control (Pikes Peak Post)

Travis Pital, P.E., PacRim Engineering (San Diego Post)

Faith Powell, HDR (Seattle Post)

Samantha Robbins, Stone Environmental Engineering & Science Inc. (Kittyhawk Post)

Capt. Bradford Shields, P.E., USAF, Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center (Kaiserslautern Post)

Capt. Ariel Waiters, USAF, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (New Jersey Post)

Brian Wybrecht, P.E., U.S. Army Europe-Africa (Rhein-Main Post)

Download Participant Bios

Meet the 2020-2021 Class

Tasmin Brown, Senior Project Manager, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (California Region: San Francisco Post, Walnut Creek, CA)

Maj Joshua Carroll, Engineering Flight Commander, 8 Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan Air Base (International Committee, Republic of Korea)

Agapito Diaz P.E., Project Manager, AECOM (Pacific Region: Guam Post, Hagatna, Guam)

CPT Thomas Fakler, P.E., Civil Engineer, Ulteig (Great Lakes Region: Minneapolis-St Paul Post, Fargo, ND)

Summer Gladden CF APMP, LEED AP BD+C, Proposal and Marketing Manager, Leebcor Services, LLC (Middle Atlantic Region: Central Virginia Post, Williamsburg, VA)

LT Kristi Gordon, P.E., CEC, USN, FEAD Director, PWD Meridian, NAVFAC SE (Lower Mississippi Region: Vicksburg Post, Meridian, MS)

Capt Gregory Hege, Chief, Operations Engineering Element, 628 CES (Carolina Region: Charleston Post, Charleston, SC)

LT Christopher Joseph, P.E., LEED AP, USNR, Project Manager, Stanley Consultants, Inc. (Texoma Region: San Antonio Post, Round Rock, TX)

LT Aaron Kotlarz, P.E., CEC, USN, Public Works Officer, Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa (International Committee, Japan)

Jared Matthews, P.E., Mechanical Engineer, Merrick & Company (South Atlantic Region: Space Coast Post, Merritt Island, FL)

SMSgt Philip McAlpin, Jr., Operations Flight Superintendent, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron (Missouri River Region: Minot Post, Minot, ND)

Ree Miskimon (North Atlantic Region: Baltimore Post, Baltimore, MD)

Capt Arpan Patel, P.E, USAF, Team Chief – Civil Engineer, Air Force Civil Engineer Center (South Central Region: Panama City Post, Burke, VA)

Vinnie Plocido, Senior Planner, WSP (Ohio Valley Region: Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, PA)

Bruce Preston, Director of Operations, TSK Architects (Southwest Region: Phoenix Post, Mesa, AZ)

LT Kevin Remley, P.E., Senior Environmental Engineer, Indian Health Service (Northwest Region: Gem State Post, Fort Hall, ID)

Colleen Rust, PG, PMP, Project Manager, Sundance Consulting Inc. (Rocky Mountain Region: Albuquerque Post, Albuquerque, NM)

Scott Turygan, P.E., PMP; Civil Engineer; US Army Europe, G34 Protection (European Region: Rhein-Main Post, Mainz, Germany)

Download Participant Bios

Meet the 2019-2020 Class

Ilana Almquist, Marketing Coordinator, Coffman Engineers, Inc. (Pacific Region)

Holly Bigelow, Program Manager, Wood (European Region)

MAJ Craig Bryant, P.E., Operations Officer, Fort Hood, TX (Texoma Region)

Mark DeSouza, Civil Site Design Project Manager, Thomas & Hutton (Carolinas Region)

Angela Gomez, Business Manager, KOMAN Construction LLC (Southwest Region)

Patricia Graham, Project Geologist, EnSafe Inc. (New England Region)

LT Mike Guaigua, Civil Engineer Corps, U.S. Navy (International Committee)

Erin Krug, P.E., Structural Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Great Lakes Region)

Sean Lebel, P.E., Operations Manager, AECOM (Mid-Atlantic Region)

LCDR Sam Lee, Civil Engineer, U.S. Navy (Northwest Region)

Melissa Lewis, Supervisor Project Management, Scott Air Force Base (Missouri Region)

Capt Brendan Maestas, Instructor, Wright-Patterson AFB (Ohio Region)

Ben Nichols, Project Executive, Harkins Builders, Inc. (North Atlantic Region)

Zakary Payne, Associate, Matrix Design Group, Inc. (Rocky Mountain Region)

Claudia Penny, Assistant Project Manager, HCR Construction, Inc. (South Atlantic Region)

Jorge Rodriguez, Senior Engineer, M.S. Hatch Consulting, LLC (California Region)

Stephen Shattuck, Civil Engineer, formerly with LandMark Engineering (South Central Region)

Download Participant Bios

Interested in LDP?
Applications for the 2026-2027 class will open fall 2026.

SAME’s Leader Development Program was a rewarding and unique experience. I was able to leverage the experience and knowledge from other aspiring leaders and mentors from similar A/E/C backgrounds and grow personally as well as apply lessons back to my primary profession. This network still exists and helps me even today, years after I graduated the program.
Capt. Arpan Patel, USAF, LDP Class of 2021