Pearls of Wisdom
Everyone has a story to tell about their journey to fellowship and lessons learned along the way. We hope the AOF 30th Anniversary Pearls of Wisdom testimonials inspire you to achieve your goals and aspirations.
Fellows, Want to Submit a Pearl of Wisdom?
Visit the submission portal to contribute your personal reflections.
The more you give, the more you receive. As a Fellow, please continue to support your local Post or a regional Post nearby. You can help by connecting them to speakers for a program, reviewing annual reports, assist in planning and implementing a STEM or IGE event, volunteering at a summer camp, mentoring fellow board members. Our efforts as Fellows are noticed and go a long way to support Posts. Be the Fellow that shows up and delivers. The rewards gained will sustain our Posts and Society for the next 100 years.
Beth Harris Durscher, CPSM, FSMPS | Fellow since 2020
John Constantinide, F.SAME, Department of the Air Force
“Every conversation, activity, meeting, committee membership, and leadership position is an opportunity be your best self in that moment. Those who are exceptional may not understand the path, but their actions create a story that shows a local impact that spreads. And, it starts with your best you in the moment.”
Fellow since 2024
Patrick Coullahan, F.SAME, Retired Military and Civilian Engineer
Mentorship is one of the most rewarding parts of being a member of the Society of American Engineers–it is nothing new, but it is such an important mutual learning process it must be embraced. It does not need to be formalized, but it does take energy and active engagement. Being a fortunate Protege myself of many SAME and Military Engineering luminaries over the years has helped me to succeed with their sage advice on people, engineering, construction, and military missions, and in turn has enabled benefitting even more from sponsoring, coaching, and becoming better together in Mentee-Mentor relationships. Take the effort to become a Subject Matter expert, adding credence to mentoring activities through the written word, conducting seminars/presentations to share knowledge. The payoff will continue for generations of military engineers.
Fellow since 1995
Jeff Davis, F.SAME
“Get actively involved in local SAME Post, identify an area to provide value, make small contributions regularly, be prepared to say no to good things so you can say yes to the best things, sustain it, allow things to develop from there.”
Fellow since 2016
Roland DeGuzman, F.SAME
“SAME is a tremendous platform for hiring. I served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) for 25 years and I valued the strong network of former Navy CEC officers around the world. I was always told that this network would help me land my first job after leaving the military. But for me, SAME helped me find my first job. I met a retired Army officer at an SAME event and I told him I was hanging up my Navy uniform. He sent my resume to a friend from his days as a Major and the rest is history: I got an interview, and they hired me pretty quickly. Don’t get me wrong, my Navy CEC network helped me land this job: my experience was what the company needed, and my connections confirmed my skills and expertise. But SAME helped me get in the door in the first place.”
Fellow since 2023
Beth Harris Durscher, F.SAME, CPSM, FSMPS
“The more you give, the more you receive. As a Fellow, please continue to support your local Post or a regional Post nearby. You can help by connecting them to speakers for a program, reviewing annual reports, assist in planning and implementing a STEM or IGE event, volunteering at a summer camp, mentoring fellow board members. Our efforts as Fellows are noticed and go a long way to support Posts. Be the Fellow that shows up and delivers. The rewards gained will sustain our Posts and Society for the next 100 years.”
Fellow since 2020
Mercedes Enrique, MBA, F.SAME, President and CFO
Leadership is about service—service to others, to a mission, and to the future. Through my journey with SAME since 2004, I’ve witnessed the power of collaboration in strengthening our national security and infrastructure. Whether engaging industry and government or fostering the next generation of STEM leaders through the SAME Foundation, I’ve learned that the greatest impact comes from bridging gaps, embracing innovation, and mentoring those who will lead tomorrow. Success isn’t just about expertise; it’s about relationships, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Fellow since 2021
Bill Grip, Higher Education Solutions Leader, MBP
Thinking back a few years, I didn’t think much about being a Fellow nor did I really know what a Fellow was. I knew I valued being a member of SAME and simply kept raising my hand to volunteer and contribute regardless of where life took me and my family. Low and behold, I was very fortunate to be selected.
The key to the success of any organization is the strength of its members and their willingness to raise their hands and contribute. SAME has grown to be the organization it is today through that very strength, and it will continue to grow only through the continued willingness of its members to contribute, add value and enjoy working around first class professionals. In my mind, this is why I keep raising my hand after 40+ years of membership.
So to the aspiring Fellows of the future, keep doing what you’re doing…. keep raising your hand, adding value and having fun doing it…… let’s together make the next 30 years of the AOF as fruitful, if not more so, than the first 30!
Fellow since 2012
Mike Herman, PE, F.SAME, BG (CA-Ret)
My career has been helped at every stage by my mentors, both military and civilian. In my thirties, I was mentored by a member of my firm in his seventies. He knew so much about our profession, and was willing to share it. He inspired me to someday try to be as good a mentor to those who would look to me as the “old guy”. Mentorship includes connecting, teaching, counseling and inspiring others, particularly those who share our profession. It typically results from an informal connection, and often lasts beyond the formal work relationship. I am fortunate to still be in regular contact with some of my mentors from more than 40 years ago. I believe that SAME is a great place to find a mentor!
Fellow since 2015
Charysse Knotts, F.SAME, P.E., PMP, LEED AP
Always engage with everyone… all the time. Always offer a helping hand… with a smile. The thanks and appreciation you receive in return are as motivating as the motivation and mentoring you give others.
Fellow since 2021
Jeanne LeBron, F.SAME, AtkinsRealis
Fellowship has afforded me opportunities to network with many who would normally have been outside my pay grade. I’ve been on task forces working directly with Service Chiefs; on committees with decision-makers from industry and government agencies; I’ve had access and ability to influence ideas that would eventually become policy. SAME has helped me grow personally and professionally. My career has benefited from being a Fellow. I know I would not be as successful had I not fully participated in SAME and all that it has to offer.
Fellow since 2008
Jay Manik, F.SAME, Retired
Mentoring the next generation of SAME leadership and providing meaningful opportunities for growth are two key pillars of the SAME Fellows core reason for being, and these have helped me focus my time and effort in SAME during my time as a Fellow. Being mindful of succession planning within your Post through a thoughtful program of mentoring and growing the next generation of SAME leaders will keep our Society vibrant for the next 100 years.
Fellow since 2007
Ben Matthews, F.SAME, Michael Baker International
As members consider their journey to Fellow, they often face the same questions. What’s in it for ME? What’s in it for MY FIRM? What’s in it for SAME? While it is a great recognition, the Fellows designation is also a reminder about why we are involved in this Society. There are five elements in the Fellows charter that I try to embody every day…supporting the mission and strategic plan, being a role model and mentor, supporting our Posts, and being patriotic. I firmly believe since my time as a young professional that SAME rewards you exponentially from the time/energy that you put into it. As for my employer? It is not about the publicity, but people do equate all the great things that Fellows do to the firms that support them. Bottom line: When the SAME Fellows and membership rally around key issues it is possible to create waves of volunteer energy to drive partnerships, deliver solutions, and develop people.
Fellow since 2016
Ed Mears, F.SAME, HDR
Show up and listen. If your not invited, get a friend to invite you. Listen to learn the needs of an organization and you may find (hear) where you can meet the organization’s need. Then…volunteer.
Fellow since 2020
Gen. Patrice Melancon, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.), CWG Consulting
When I think about pearls, I envision something that has taken a long time to create, something that is very pleasing to the eye, and something that is very durable. This is what I envision mentoring to be. It’s not about a quick-fix phone call, it’s about developing a trusting, enjoyable relationship between a younger person and a maybe-not-so-young person with the intention of sharing wisdom. That relationship can be beneficial both ways, but typically is to help the younger person develop their skills in their profession. That relationship, if developed properly can be very durable! I hope I can continue to serve as a mentor within SAME, as well as other areas of my life, well into my retired years!
Fellow since 2014
Col. Charlie Perham, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.), Matrix Design Group
I was reluctant initially, but one of my mentors (Sal Nodjomian) encouraged me and nominated me. After a failed attempt in 2019, I became a Fellow in 2020. For me, being a Fellow opened the door to being on the National Leadership Team (NLT) and ultimately the President of the Society. The benefits of serving on the NLT and Board of Direction for nearly 10 years is impossible to measure: personal and professional growth, deeper friendships, a significantly expanded professional network, increased visibility for my firm, and most importantly, knowing I’m still contributing to our national security.
Fellow since 2020
Timothy Scheffler, F.SAME, Deputy Chief, Engineering Division, Air Force Global Strike Command
Our profession is one of practiced collaboration, communication, and cooperation. The trades in our profession do not execute their crafts in isolation, they do so as apprentices and masters. As engineers, we learn first theories and then realities of our practice through implementation under tutelage of those more experienced. Our individual disciplines are often insufficient to yield wholistic solutions, rather we must cooperate within and between diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve our desired goals. Further, we do not conceive, build, or develop for arbitrary purposes, but rather for a service and increased quality of life to our fellow man, our society, and our nation. In this profession, mentoring is a necessity. Never miss an opportunity to learn from the professionals around you and never pass up on an opportunity to encourage and grow the next generation.
Fellow since 2025
Dan Soto, AF Global Strike Command Civil Engineer, US Air Force
Practice getting comfortable with change. It makes you a better leader and follower. It also makes you better professionally and personally.
Fellow since 2020
Colleen Symansky, F.SAME, USCG Civil Engineering Unit Cleveland
Being an SAME Fellow has given me a vast network of likeminded A/E/C Industry professionals. This inlcuded SAME Post ideas, advice, and support as we stood up a new Post in Cleveland, OH. And also expanded my outlook on career planning as look towards the future outside of a uniform. The Academy of Fellows and has also opened up doors for new engineering and industry relationships within my Coast Guard world of work and lending my knowledge and experience to other SAME members has also been very rewarding.
Fellow since 2023
Susan Thames, F.SAME, Miller-Remick
In 2019 I became a Fellow. It was the highlight of my career and an acknowledgement that I was on the right path with my leadership abilities. Connection is a very important quality. As I became more involved with SAME, the driving message was volunteer – you won’t regret it. Through my connections with other professionals in the A/E/C industry, I was able to elevate my involvement from the Society NJ Post level to SAME National level and the Foundation Board. When I speak about SAME, I always include in my conversation that we are a family. We have been through memorable times, and we are always there to support one another. Being a Fellow is not only an honor, but an opportunity to utilize your leadership abilities and mentor other members of our Society. It is also an opportunity to identify a gap and lead the charge to fill the gap by leading a conversation with your connections.
I encourage anyone interested in becoming a Fellow, to evaluate their local, regional and national involvement with our Society. Question what leadership roles you held. How have you made an impact with SAME and your local community?
Fellow since 2019
JB West, F.SAME, Retired Civil Engineer
I became a member in 1973 to assist in a Regional Conference hosted by the Ft Wort Post. In 1993 I assisted with hosting a National conference hosted by the Dallas and Ft worth post jointly. As a result of that National conference the Ft Worth Post established a Scholarship fund. I became a rater of candidate applicants. In 1995 I became Chairman of the FT Worth Post Scholarship Program and I held that position until 2023 when I gave up that position so a younger could head up the scholarship. Because of my age I did not want the program to suffer in the event of my death. I still serve as an evaluator. I have held several positions in the Ft worth, Dallas, and Frankfurt Germany Post. I also have served as a regional VP. So with that bit of history, why have I continued to be active in SAME after retiring some 14 years ago. I believe in the goals of the association and enjoy interacting with other Architect and Engineers and keeping up with current trends and projects in the engineering community.
Fellow since 1998
Eric Wilbur, F.SAME, Wilbur Consulting
I have found being a fellow opens up a whole new level of connection and networking with proven leaders in the Society and our industry. The level of commitment and dedication of the fellows inspires me to continue to lead, mentor, coach, and serve other members in our Society. And, when I can’t do those things, I am confident I can find a fellow that can and will step in to serve. All this to say that the SAME Fellows are incredible servants who lead our Society to solve the incredible challenges our industry faces.
Fellow since 2022
Senior Master Sgt. James Wirshing, F.SAME, USAF (Ret.)
What can you do to ‘Pay It Forward?’ Maybe you can do something like increasing your Post’s membership numbers. Maybe you can do something future-oriented, like working with a Student Chapter or a STEM Camp. Maybe you can find a niche that is meaningful to you, like developing greater membership by enlisted members of all service branches. Maybe you will be inspired to write guidelines for how prospective members can be recognized and encouraged to join and engage with SAME. Whatever you can do, do it. Seek Cascading Synergies!
Fellows since 2024
Heather Wishart-Smith, F.SAME, Wishart-Smith Strategies
From mentors, mentees, and experience, I’ve learned to listen, care, and remember.
I’ve learned that they don’t pay you big bucks to look good in a suit – leaders have the hard conversations and face tough topics head-on.
I’ve learned that you don’t fire people just to get rid of the bad ones, you do it to keep the good ones.
I’ve learned that in safety and ethics, there is no compromise – principles are not like rubber bands that can return to their prior state once they’ve been stretched or bent.
I’ve learned that if you don’t learn from a bad experience, you’re missing out on a good opportunity.
And I’ve learned that one of the best things I can do is help others want the corner office. Because if I’m stressed, overwhelmed, or neglecting my personal life – what kind of role model am I for those who should succeed me?
Fellows since 2009
Don Young, F.SAME, P.E., CCM, MBP
Based on 26 years with USACE and 18 years at MBP, I would like to share two pearls of wisdom: (1) Ensure your organization is not a ‘zero defects’ culture; and (2) Don’t shoot the messenger bringing bad news. Both can negatively impact your team and drown out any initiative or new ideas for the organization. Leadership is a unique set of skills that evolve over time and require a sustained endeavor to remain effective in current and future roles.
Fellow since 2013