Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership, Impact, and Inspiration
Fostering Engineering Leadership for the Nation
Founded in 2016, the SAME Foundation was created to strengthen and expand the philanthropic efforts of the Society of American Military Engineers and to honor the lasting contributions of its members, partners, and stakeholders. Building on a century of progress in the engineering, architecture, and construction fields, the Foundation was established with a clear purpose: to foster engineering leadership for the nation.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors held its inaugural meeting on January 26, 2017—marking a pivotal milestone in advancing the goals of the 2020 SAME Strategic Plan. Today, as we carry forward the vision of the 2030 SAME Strategic Plan and look toward the Society’s second century of service, the SAME Foundation stands poised to make an even greater impact.
Through the generous support of its donors and partners, the Foundation is expanding opportunities to develop the next generation of military, government civilian, and A/E/C industry professionals. Together, we are helping STEM journeys begin and rising leaders soar, ensuring a strong, prepared, and inspired workforce for the future.
For a decade, the SAME Foundation has been investing in the future of the A/E/C profession and strengthening our nation’s STEM and national security workforce. What began as a bold vision in 2016 has grown into a powerful force for developing leaders, expanding opportunities, and inspiring the next generation.
As we celebrate 10 years of service, growth, and impact, we honor the supporters, volunteers, and partners who have helped bring the Foundation’s mission to life.
Watch Jane Penny and Sal Nodjomian discuss the inspiration and need for the SAME Foundation
A Decade of Milestones
- 2016 – SAME Foundation established to foster engineering leadership for the nation
- 2017 – First Foundation Board of Directors meeting shapes governance and mission
- 2019 – Leader Development Program formally launches with Foundation support
- 2020–2025 – Rapid expansion of program funding, outreach, and impact reports.
- 2025 –Foundation approved for listing in the Combined Federal Campaign: CFC# 59814
- 2025 – Foundation announces the inaugural Soaring Eagle Award
- 2026 – Foundation celebrates 10 years and announces future growth goals
- 2026 – SAME Foundation launches $6 million “Securing the Future” endowment campaign
Marking 10 Years of Impact
Explore our History and Impact
“Our nation must have a continuous pipeline of quality engineering and STEM leaders to address these complex national security and infrastructure challenges. The SAME Foundation was specifically created to attack this need by leveraging the charitable capacity of our Society and of engineering and related professions. This is your opportunity to make a difference.“
–Hal Rosen, F.SAME (Dist.), SAME Foundation President, 2020-2022
SAME Foundation Past Chairs
The following distinguished leaders have served as Board Chair and President of the SAME Foundation.
2020 – 2022
Join Us: Support the Next Decade of Impact
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Developing Future Engineering Leaders
The SAME Foundation engages the philanthropic community by identifying impactful Society leader development initiatives. Program outcomes present a diversity of impact that ensures the Society endures for the next 100 years.
Leader Development Program
Through support from the SAME Foundation, in 2019 SAME launched the Leader Development Program to identify and cultivate talent from within the Society’s membership to address the nation’s grand challenges. The program supports the development of the next generation of world-class military, government, and industry leaders through a curriculum of hands-on training, study, utilization projects, and active engagement in new opportunities.
Engineering & Construction Camps
Working with the network of Posts, volunteers, and sponsors, and support from the SAME Foundation, the Society develops, maintains, and grows a variety of camps to provide in-person experiences to students interested in exploring STEM-related skills and careers. The net outcome is more technical professionals available to meet the nation’s needs.
Camps Mentoring Program
The SAME Foundation supports the participation of members to serve as mentors at the Engineering & Construction Camps. Mentors play a vital role in providing a rigorous and supportive camp experience. By interacting with the campers, their guidance and advice, based on their own experience and education, creates strong bonds that last beyond the camps. Participants are no longer alone in pursuit of a STEM degree. They know they have someone to count on and get answers or support. This relationship is extremely valuable to their academic and professional trajectory.
STEM Pathways Program
Designed as a framework for SAME Posts to engage Indigenous communities in STEM, the “We Must Go to Them” project (created through the Leader Development Program) was selected for a grant from the United Engineering Foundation in 2021. The SAME Foundation has furthered its involvement in this important effort, now STEM Pathways, by underwriting the cost-match required to conduct pilot activities in Alaska, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Florida.
Leader Development Program Graduates
Ilana Almquist
Holly Bigelow, P.E.
Lt. Col. Craig Bryant, P.E., USA (Ret.)
Maj. Mark DeSouza, P.E., USAR
Angela Gomez
Patricia Graham
Lt. Mike Guaigua, P.E., CEC, USN
Lt. Erin Krug, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, USNR
Sean Lebel, P.E.
Cdr. Sam Lee, F.SAME, CEC, USN
Melissa Lewis
Capt. Brendan Maestas, USAF
Ben Nichols, LEED AP
Zakary Payne, P.E., F.SAME
Claudia Penny
Jorge Rodriguez, P.E.
Stephen Shattuck
Tasmin Brown
Lt. Col. Joshua Carroll, P.E., PMP, USAF
Agapito Diaz, P.E., F.SAME
Maj. Thomas Fakler, P.E., ARNG
Summer Gladden, CF APMP, LEED AP, F.SAME
Lt. Kristi Gordon, P.E., CEC, USN
Maj. Gregory Hege, USAF
Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Joseph, P.E., LEED AP, CEC, USN
Cmdr. Aaron Kotlarz, P.E., PMP, CEC, USN
Jared Matthews, P.E.
Philip McAlpin, Jr.
Ree Miskimon
Maj. Arpan Patel, P.E., PMP, USAF
Vinnie Plocido
Bruce Preston, PMP, RA, NCARB, LEED AP, F.SAME
Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Remley, P.E., USPHS
Colleen Rust, PG, PMP
Scott Turygan, P.E., PMP, LEED AP
Capt. Victoria Cachro, USAF
Josh Cohen, P.E., PMP
Maj. Eric Collett, USA
Taylor Chassaignac, P.E.
Julie Eiter, P.E., LEED AP
Suzanne Grix
Frances Hinkley, P.E.
James Kline, P.E.
Lori Kropidlowski, CPSM, APMP, F.SAME
Pamela Little, P.E., PMP, F.SAME
Matt Matteson, P.E., PG
Joshua McClure, Ph.D., P.E., CFM, PMP, F.SAME
Capt. Kris Neset, P.E., USPHS
Travis Pital, P.E.
Faith Powell
Samantha Robbins
Maj. Bradford Shields, P.E., USAF
Capt. Ariel Waiters, USAF
Brian Wybrecht, P.E.
Lt. Cdr. Steven Becker, P.E., CEM, USCG
Chief Master Sgt. Adam Boubede, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.)
Cameron Bowsky, P.E.
Lt. Cdr. Jaison Eapen, USPHS
Josh Graham, P.E., CCM, PMP, F.SAME
Andy Harlan
Jacob Hilton, P.E., PMP, LEED AP
Maj. Mack Howell, P.E., PMP, USAR
Maj. Jenee Jagoda, PMP, USAF
Brittany Schultze
Merle Keener
James Kirk
Anne MacMillan
Camille Murray
Maj. Victor Nelson, P.E., PMP, USA
Brandi Smith
Jennifer Snape, P.E.
Maj. Andrew Storey, P.E., PMP, USA
Maj. Brec Wilshusen, P.E., F.SAME, USAF (Ret.)
Alexander Bohlin
Lt. j.g. Joseph Brejda, P.E., USNR
Capt. Emelia Brooks-Sisco, ANG
Capt. Kathleenann Brunstad, USAF
Aaron Burrows
Kevin Chatary
Rene Cortez, P.E., PG, F.SAME
Travis Cummins, P.E.
Larry Estrella, P.E., CEM, LEED AP
JR Gregory
Thomas Heesom
Capt. Kaylee Kostka, USAF
Mary Londquist, PMP
Lawrence Mullaly
Matthew Nelson
Kathryn Thomas
Christian Ward
Maj. Alyson White, USAF
Alyssa Agustin, PMP
Amber Weber
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, PMP
Lt. Cdr. John Nurthen, CEC, USN
Lynelle Brode, PMP
Megan Windeknecht
Samantha Long, PMP
Sam Barnett
Shirley Albritton, P.E., PMP
Stephen Price, PG, PMP
Tech Sgt. Joshua Dane, USAF
Zachary Pesicka, P.E., PMP
Ilene Carreon-Allen
Jacob Ambrose, P.E.
Lt. Cdr. Patrick Debroisse, CMH-A, NOAA
Harold Eberbach
Capt. Billy Edenfield, PMP, USAF
Maj. Patrick Ernst, USAFR
Craig Franzel
Camille Gozum, P.E., ENV SP
Adam Hanks, P.E.
Brent Kent, PMP, CEM
Kristen Lary
Lt. Col. Richard Mahn, P.E., PMP, USA
Sabrina Mohazzabfar, P.E.
Curtis Reed, RA
Matthew Riggs, P.E., PMP
Robert Sinclair
Elena Soto
Robert Trotta, PMP, ENV SP
Kayla Jonas, RA
Sgt. Maj. Melissa Wright, PMP, USAR
A Timeline of the First Decade of SAME Foundation (Impact)
The Beginning
The SAME Board of Direction approves a plan to form a National Foundation to separate the Society’s day-to-day business from philanthropic efforts. A task force, led by Jennifer Fogg, is established to frame the initial concepts.
Hal Rosen, then-SAME Counsel, and Joe Schroedel, then-Executive Director, take on key roles in exploring the legal, regulatory, and managerial details that will emerge.
SAME Foundation Founding Board
A Founding Board is conceived to guide the nascent Foundation, comprised of esteemed SAME and military engineering leaders: Mike Loose, Bud Griffis, Robert Van Antwerp, Roger Wozny, and Delwyn Eulberg.
The SAME Foundation is formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3).
The SAME Executive Committee agrees to gift the Society’s Education & Mentoring Fund, over $1 million, to the Foundation as its initial resource to begin operating.
At the 2016 JETC in Phoenix, Ariz., the SAME Foundation is officially unveiled to the membership by then-SAME President Jane Penny.
SAME Foundation Board of Directors
- The SAME Foundation Board of Directors holds its inaugural meeting at the SAME National Office in Alexandria, Va.; John Mogge is selected as the first Board Chair.
- Fostering Engineering Leadership for the Nation is chosen as the Foundation’s compelling purpose.
- A repository for Post scholarship funds is created to ease management and administrative burdens, and three Posts move to invest their money with the Foundation while still maintaining full control over their assets: Houston-Galveston, Northern Virginia, and Narragansett Bay. This service would soon grow into a desirable option for many Posts to leverage the scale of the SAME Foundation.
With financial backing from the Foundation, the SAME Leader Development Program (LDP) is established to elevate mid-career professionals and cultivate leadership skills across Society membership.
Mike Darrow and Caroline Roberts lead the team to build the program and curriculum, with a goal to accept the first class starting next year.
The inaugural LDP class of 18 mid-career professionals from government and industry officially begins their yearlong curriculum at the 2019 JETC in Tampa, Fla.
In the 2025 SAME Strategic Plan, the Foundation is fully integrated into Goal 3: Develop Leaders for the Profession and leader development is embraced in SAME’s mission statement.
Three more Posts move their scholarship funds to under Foundation management: Omaha, Panama City, and Mid-Maryland.
The inaugural LDP class graduates in a virtual ceremony due to the cancellation of the in-person 2020 JETC as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 700 donors from across the Society contribute over $420,000 as part of the Foundation’s Founding Donor fundraising campaign.
Hal Rosen is selected as the Foundation’s second President.
Three more Posts invest with the Foundation: Tampa Bay, Huntsville, and Hampton Roads.
Kevin Remley, Colleen Rust, and TJ Fakler (members of the 2020-2021 LDP class) conduct a capstone project titled “We Must Go to Them” that aims to increase STEM outreach to American Indian and Alaska Native students. Following the success of the initial project, the Foundation enshrines it as an annual program. Several SAME Posts step up to help lead the program’s hands-on engagement to Indigenous youth.
Orange County Post moves its scholarship funds to under Foundation management.
“We Must Go to Them” is renamed STEM Pathways and secures a $61,000 grant from the United Engineering Foundation (the first of multiple it will receive), fueling outreach events in Alaska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Florida.
A new program is established to provide financial support for mentors to attend SAME’s STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps. In the first year, it sends 24 mentors to inspire and guide the 217 students at the five week-long engineering camps held in conjunction with the military services.
An annual resource request process is formalized within SAME’s governance to evaluate and prioritize funding support for SAME programs aligned with the Foundation’s compelling purpose.
Central Virginia Post moves its scholarship funds to the Foundation’s repository.
Dave Nash becomes the third President of the SAME Foundation.
The inaugural Foundation Fundraising Reception is held during the 2023 Capital Week in Rockville, Md.
The Foundation signs its first corporate partner, Actalent (now A3), providing $50,000 per year over four years principally in support of LDP.
Mike Wehr is named the new SAME Executive Director and Executive Director of the Foundation.
A capstone project led by Kathryn Thomas of the 2023-2024 LDP class and funded by the Foundation addresses the critical challenge of labor shortage by working with a carceral system in Florida to provide instruction and training to inmates who will earn a certificate they can utilize to join the dredging workforce following their release. The project also provides a blueprint for future seed funding provided by the Foundation to support UPICs and SAME Posts.
Three more Posts invest with the Foundation: Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Louisiana.
STEM Pathways receives another grant from the United Engineering Foundation for $119,000 to support the next phase of the program, which expands outreach to over 1,500 students and a first-of-its-kind symposium to discuss how to best partner with Indigenous communities.
The Foundation is selected for a $100,000 grant from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying to support credentialing and STEM outreach, along with a $50,000 grant from the Baker-Hughes Foundation.
The 2024 STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps season sets a new record with 265 high school students and 116 mentors. A new camp in partnership with the Navy held at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., debuts this year.
The Foundation begins subsidizing travel costs for servicemembers from all over the world to attend SAME’s Career Transition Workshop, learn more about taking the next step in their career, and meet with recruiters from leading industry firms and other organizations.
The Albuquerque Post invests with the Foundation.
The Foundation organizes its first Silent Auction at Capital Week and raises $75,000.
Tim Byers becomes the fourth Foundation President.
Two new programs are underwritten by the Foundation, the Credentialing Review Course and Credentialing Assistance Program, which provide financial support and resources for members to pursue engineering-related certifications and licensure.
A capstone project led by 2024-2025 LDP members Alyssa Agustin and Samantha Long pilots a new STEM camp in Hawaii that becomes the 6th national STEM camp the following year.
Sam Barnett, also with the 2024-2025 LDP class, partners with the Defense Acquisition University on his capstone project, fostering industry-government engagement by developing webinars aimed at advancing understanding among acquisition professionals of emerging project delivery methods.
The Foundation Board of Directors formalizes its process for planned giving and begins spreading awareness of this opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
The Foundation is approved for listing in the Combined Federal Campaign: CFC# 59814
The Foundation’s inaugural Soaring Eagle Award, which recognizes integrity, vision, and courage in engineering leaders, is presented to Terri Mestas of Sound Transit as part of the 2026 Capital Week in Rockville, Md.
LDP reaches over 100 total graduates during the program’s history.
The Camps Program sets a record with nearly 1,000 applications submitted and 315 students selected.
The Foundation commits more than $310,000 through the year in STEM, leadership, and career professionalism programs within SAME, a record amount.
The Foundation establishes the Securing the Future campaign for permanent endowments, with the first two being the Walter O. Bachus Gold Medal Endowment and Wishart-Smith Endowment.
At the 2026 JETC in Portland, Ore., the Foundation celebrates its 10th Anniversary since being formally announced at the 2016 JETC.
Securing the Future
As the SAME Foundation launches its $6 million “Securing the Future” Endowment Campaign, we are laying the groundwork for sustained, long-term support of these critical programs. By investing in the endowment, donors help ensure that leadership development, mentoring, STEM outreach, and national security–focused initiatives will thrive for generations to come.
Questions? Contact Kathy Off, SAME Director of Governance & Philanthropy.
The first 10 years were just beginning.
Join us in securing the next century of engineering leadership for the nation.
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