Guest Post: Insights From the Washington DC & Northern Virginia Posts Leadership and Mentoring Program

Article contributed by Spencer Butler, Jacobs; Lt. Cdr. Morgan Lee, USPHS; Pat Ernst, Deloitte; Sean Saksena, CES Consulting; Col. Ed Chamberlayne, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), PRIME AE Group, and Philios Angelides, P.E., F.SAME

The SAME Washington DC Post and Northern Virginia Post Leadership & Mentoring Program (LMP) is a valuable opportunity for professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry to develop their leadership skills and build relationships with other professionals.

This regional development program provides participants with the chance to learn from experienced SAME Fellows and mentors, network with peers, and gain valuable insights into the A/E/C industry. In this article, we share our experiences as participants in the LMP, highlighting the benefits of the program, four of the most impactful mentorship events, and how they have helped us to grow as leaders.

In April, this year’s LMP cohort convened at the National Guard Memorial Building to discuss leadership lessons from the perspective of Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Fleet Master Chief Delbert Terrell, USN. In his role as Fleet Master Chief of Personnel, Manpower, and Training, Terrell offered unique insights into the military and federal leadership skills that are needed to lead the newest generation of soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and Guardians. The service members who have begun their careers in the last few years face a world that is incredibly complex and volatile. There are conflicts and areas of contention in the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, rapidly growing and evolving cyber threats, and a world prone to information, and misinformation, overload. Terrell shared his perspective from his personal 35-year journey in the Navy and provided some insight on the Officer/SNCO/NCO organizational structure used throughout the military services, which is an important and sometimes misunderstood consideration for industry partners. Terrell left us with the thought that sometimes just one extra degree of effort or teamwork can have an extraordinary impact on the outcome.

One of the more thought provoking sessions from the LMP program was conducted by Maj. Gen. Tim Byers, P.E., F.SAME (Dist.), USAF (Ret.). Having an incredibly successful career in the military and private sector, his experience in leadership is broad and diverse. During the session, he provided insight on what lessons he’s learned throughout his career and challenged us to consider who we include in our inner network of business associates. For most people, we naturally gravitate to others who are similar to us. This biased behavior narrows our thought process, which could ultimately impact how we lead others. Byers’s lesson capitalized on that notion and challenged us to look deeper into how we expand our network. Different viewpoints are a crucial part of how we become more inclusive leaders. The impact of Byers’s lesson is long lasting and encourages a great amount of self reflection. As we continue to develop in our careers, these lessons help provide the foundation of what type of leaders we aspire to be.

Another particularly insightful session was given by Col. Peter Mueller, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.). Mueller presented various leadership models and real-world examples that broadened our understanding of effective leadership. The emphasis on self-awareness and continuous learning resonated with each of us as he highlighted the importance of introspection and ongoing development. The Army Leadership Model’s “Be, Know, Do” attributes provided a clear framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of leadership and how we can apply these lessons in our own professional growth paths. Additionally, Mueller’s breakdown of leadership levels, from direct to strategic, prompted us to reflect on our strengths and where we aspire to be in our careers. The discussion on developing a personal leadership philosophy rooted in core values was especially valuable, as this will allow us to guide future decisions and provide contributions to various organizational cultures.

At our cohort’s final event, we interacted with three of Washington, D.C.’s small business owners: Kyu Jung, Co-Founder & President, Procon Consulting; Jim Hoffman, President, Summer Consultants; and Amy Morris, President, T3 Design. The three business leaders shared their perspectives, lessons learned, and experience navigating the small business world. We learned three unique origin stories to becoming business owners, their early struggles, and the triumphs of “coming out on the other side.” This discussion shed a humanizing light on the entrepreneurial process that is pertinent to many in this industry who often come to an employee/entrepreneur crossroads where exposure to real world examples are invaluable to making an informed decision.

Our experience in the SAME LMP has been invaluable in providing us with a framework for leadership development and a network of support within the A/E/C industry. As we move forward in our careers, we are confident that the lessons learned and relationships forged through the LMP will continue to shape our leadership journeys. We strongly encourage anyone seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and contribute to the future of the A/E/C community to consider applying to this program or others like it at your local SAME Posts. Leadership development programs, like the LMP, offer significant value. Research indicates that well-structured leadership training can generate substantial returns by improving leadership effectiveness, boosting team performance, and ultimately driving organizational success.

Editor’s Note: The DC & NoVA Post Leadership & Mentoring Program is one of the first regional development programs within our Society. Formed in 2013 by former Executive Director Lt. Col. Bob Wolff, Ph.D, USA (Ret.), the program has run continuously and is responsible for developing approximately a dozen young professional and mid-careerists each year from private industry, government, and the military.  Facilitators of the program in 2024 included: Philios Angelides, P.E., F.SAME, The Angelides Group; Bree Beal, LEED AP, KCCT; Senior Master Sgt. Brad Wilson, USAF, Department of Defense; and Col. Ed Chamberlayne, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), PRIME AE Group; Justin Jacobs, Principal Federal Business Development, Walter P. Moore.

Visit the Post Resource Page to discover more about the important role of local SAME Posts and find a Post/Chapter near you.