

Council Mission
The Mission of the SAME Young Professionals (YP) Council is to be an advocate for and engage young professionals in support of the SAME Strategic Plan through outreach, training, networking, and recognition. The Council provides educational programming, hosts networking activities, promotes leadership and engagement opportunities, and emphasizes recognition of young professionals within the Society.
Join the SAME Engage YP NetworkAnnual Volunteer Opportunities. Engineering and Construction Camps. Each Spring, SAME’s Engineering and Construction Camps recruit volunteers to serve as mentors and camp counselors. Visit the E&C Camp COI webpage to learn more. Contact the E&C Camp YP Liaison with any questions.
Credentialing Assistance Program
SAME believes that the engineering community is strengthened when engineers and other practitioners obtain professional licensure and certifications. To assist this, the Credentialing Assistance Program (CAP) is provided as a member benefit to reimburse anyone who obtains certain credentials. Reimbursement can apply to exam fees or study materials. For complete information and restrictions visit the CAP webpage. For additional information, contact Tim Dahms, Vice Chair for Credentialing.
Council Chair
LCDR Tim Dahms, P.E., CEC, USN, NAVFAC
Council Immediate Past Chair
Suzanne Grix, MBA, Forgen
Organization Structure
Communications Vice Chair: Cristen Sheppard, AICP, PP, mcfa
Conferences Vice Chair: Jaimie Wright, The Lewis Group
Credentialing Vice Chair: Wille Parks, RA, LEED AP BC+C, RRMM Architects
Programs Vice Chair: Sal Forgione, Associate AIA, PMP, HDR
SAME POC: Sarah Feighery, SAME National Office


Highlight your achievements or those of another YP in TME! Please use the following Spotlight Nomination Form to submit or contact the Communications Vice Chair with any questions.
Have a Post Event or YP Achievement to share in our next newsletter or across our social media platforms? Contact the Communications Vice Chair with any submissions.
The Conference committee organizes networking events for Young Professionals as part of SAME’s two major annual conferences, the Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC) in May and the Federal Small Business Conference (SBC) in November. These include YP and Fellow networking events, Pre-Conference Connections, and support for reviewing and providing feedback to YPs submitting abstracts to speak at the conferences. YPs are also provided with an opportunity to apply to receive a stipend to attend the conference in the event they or their company are unable to afford to send them. Click the below ribbon for more information.
Stipend Overview
- Up to 10 stipends will be awarded per conference
- The application period will close March 1 and September 1
- Stipend recipients will be notified via e-mail by March 15 or September 15
- Stipends will receive complimentary airfare to attend the conference (or mileage and parking reimbursement for those within driving distance). Bookings must be completed by
April 1 or October 1. - Stipend recipients will receive a complimentary hotel stay of up to four nights (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) to attend. Stipend recipients are required to stay at the assigned hotel.
- Stipend recipients receive complimentary Full Conference Registration.
- Upon notification of being offered a stipend, awardees will need to confirm they are able to accept the stipend. Then they will receive instructions on how to register for the conference and make hotel and travel reservations.
- Before accepting stipends, nominees must obtain approval from their supervisor and federal employees (military and civil service) should seek advice from their local ethics counselor. Military personnel are expected to obtain the government rate at their selected hotel and should adhere to current regulations regarding wear of the uniform.
- Recipients must provide a short 1-2 paragraph summary of their activities at the conference that demonstrates the value of their attendance. Summaries should be submitted to Sarah Feighery no later than two weeks after the conference. Failure to send the summary could result in a registration fee charge to your record.
- Up to 10 stipends will be awarded per conference
- The application period will close March 1 and September 1
- Stipend recipients will be notified via e-mail by March 15 or September 15
- Stipends will receive complimentary airfare to attend the conference (or mileage and parking reimbursement for those within driving distance). Bookings must be completed by April 1 or October 1.
- Stipend recipients will receive a complimentary hotel stay of up to four nights (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) to attend. Stipend recipients are required to stay at the assigned hotel.
- Stipend recipients receive complimentary Full Conference Registration.
- Upon notification of being offered a stipend, awardees will need to confirm they are able to accept the stipend. Then they will receive instructions on how to register for the conference and make hotel and travel reservations.
- Before accepting stipends, nominees must obtain approval from their supervisor and federal employees (military and civil service) should seek advice from their local ethics counselor. Military personnel are expected to obtain the government rate at their selected hotel and should adhere to current regulations regarding wear of the uniform.
- Recipients must provide a short 1-2 paragraph summary of their activities at the conference that demonstrates the value of their attendance. Summaries should be submitted to Jeannine Finton no later than two weeks after the conference. Failure to send the summary could result in a registration fee charge to your record.
Rules: Stipends to attend the 2025 Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo (JETC) will be awarded to active SAME Young Professionals (YP) and Enlisted members who have demonstrated support of SAME at the Post, Regional, and/or National level and who might not otherwise be able to attend. Young Professional recipients must attend the YP Community of Interest (COI) meeting, and the Enlisted Members must attend the Enlisted Member COI meeting at JETC.
The Stipends will provide complimentary registration, round-trip flights, and a hotel stay of up to four nights. Recipients will be accepted based on: SAME Participation; Professional Development; and Accomplishments. Questions on YP and Enlisted stipends can be directed to Sarah Feighery.
Applications will close March 7, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- Young Professionals (Industry, Government, or Military) who are 39 or under at the time of 20254 JETC or Enlisted Members (Active, Guard, or Reserve)
- SAME member for at least 18 months prior to stipend application deadline date. Join Date before October 1, 2022.
- Active member of a SAME Post, Field Chapter, and/or National COI for the past years (as reflected in the application form)
- Completion of the online application form, which includes a short summary of SAME Participation, Professional Development, and Accomplishments
- A Letter of Endorsement from the Post or Field Chapter President or COI Chair supporting the nominee of a stipend.
*Note: Priority will be given to individuals who have never attended JETC or have not previously been awarded a stipend.
Stipend ApplicationSAME is invested in providing members with the tools and resources to develop and advance their careers within the A/E/C profession. The Credentialing Committee is working to help members understand the importance of credentials, what credentials apply to the A/E/C profession, and how to get and maintain them. Visit the Credentialing Opportunities webpage or contact the Credentialing Vice Chair with any questions.
SAME believes that engineering community is strengthened when engineers and other practitioners obtain professional licensure and certifications. To assist this, the Credentialing Assistance Program is provided as a member benefit to reimburse anyone who obtains approved credentials. Reimbursement can apply to exam fees or study materials! For complete information, restrictions, and to find the application, visit the Credentialing Opportunities Webpage or contact the Credentialing Vice Chair with any questions.
The Programs Committee helps organize and screen webinars focused on topics of interest to Young Professionals by finding presenters to participate in and support SAMEs robust educational webinar opportunities.
2025 Young Professional/Enlisted Member JETC Stipend Application
Rules
Stipends to attend the 2025 Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo (JETC) will be awarded to active SAME Young Professionals (YP) and Enlisted members who have demonstrated support of SAME at the Post, Regional, and/or National level and who might not otherwise be able to attend. Young Professional recipients must attend the YP Community of Interest (COI) Meeting and Enlisted Members must attend the Enlisted Member COI Meeting at JETC.
The stipends will provide complimentary registration, round-trip flights, and a hotel stay of up to four nights. Recipients will be accepted based on: SAME Participation; Professional Development; and Accomplishments. Questions on Young Professional and Enlisted Stipends can be directed to Sarah Feighery.
Applications will close March 7, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- Young Professionals (Industry, Government, or Military) who are 39 or under at the time of 2025 JETC or Enlisted Members (Active, Guard, or Reserve)
- SAME member for at least 18 months prior to stipend application deadline date. Join date before October 1, 2022
- Active member of a SAME Post, Field Chapter, and/or National COI for the past year (as reflected in the application form)
- Completion of the online application form, which includes a short summary of SAME Participation; Professional Development; and Accomplishments
- A letter of endorsement from the Post or Field Chapter President or COI Chair supporting the nominee of a stipend
* Note: Priority will be given to individuals who have never attended JETC or have not previously been awarded a stipend.
- Up to 10 stipends will be awarded.
- The Application Period will close March 7, 2025
- Stipend recipients will be notified via e-mail by March 21, 2025.
- Stipends will receive complimentary airfare to attend the 2024 JETC (or mileage and parking reimbursement for those in driving distance). Bookings must be completed by April 7, 2025.
- Stipend recipients will receive a complimentary hotel stay of up to four nights (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) to attend. Stipend recipients are required to stay at the assigned hotel.
- Stipend recipients receive complimentary Full Conference Registration.
- Upon notification of being offered a stipend, awardees will need to confirm they are able to accept the stipend. Then they will receive instructions on how to register for the conference and make hotel and travel reservations.
- Before accepting stipends, nominees must obtain approval from their supervisor and Federal employees (military and civil service) should seek the advice from their local ethics counselor. Military personnel are expected to obtain the government rate at their selected hotel and should adhere to current regulations regarding wearing of the uniform
- Recipients must provide a short 1-2 paragraph summary of their activities at the conference that demonstrates the value of their attendance. Summaries should be submitted to Sarah Feighery, no later than 2 weeks after the conference. Failure to send the summary could result in a registration fee charge to your record.
Application deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025
View the application form to applySAME National Webinars
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- Webinar
The Power of Asset Risk to Build a Data-Driven Future
Military and municipal utilities face a common challenge; how to harness today’s high-quality data sources to effectively prioritize and focus repair and rehabilitation efforts on the most critical assets. -
- Virtual Webinar Platform
SAME DC – First Friday Webinar – Mar. 7, 2025 – Disaster Response Contracting (1 PDH)
Join the SAME DC Post for this month’s virtual First Friday Webinar “Disaster Response Contracting: How To Be Ready To Serve” (1 PDH) featuring speaker Judy Bradt, CEO at Summit Insight. Free for SAME Members (any Post) and Students; $25 for non-members. Sponsorship for this event is available through annual or event sponsorship. Contact: Bree […]