Huffstetler Sworn In as 106th SAME President

Michael Huffstetler, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, F.SAME, was sworn in as the 106th SAME National President at the 2025 Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC) on May 13. Huffstetler takes over the role of President from Sharon Krock, SPWS, F.SAME, 105th National President of SAME.

In this role, Huffstetler will lead the National Leadership Team and the SAME Board of Direction in overseeing the governance and strategic efforts of the Society, its 25,000 members including 1,500 member companies, and over 100 Posts and Field Chapters around the world. His vision for the coming year is evident in his stated theme, his stated theme to “Build the Bond”: the 105-year bond forged by SAME between industry and government in support of national security. To fulfill this, Huffstetler has outlined his three priorities for the Society: first, meeting government and industry at the point of need; second, optimizing our impact and focusing on speed, relevance, and results; and third, fueling our profession by boosting the talent pool through the Society’s high-octane programs. Each of these priorities is aligned with the goals of the 2030 SAME Strategic Plan, to drive partnerships, deliver solutions, and develop people.

During his introductory remarks at JETC, Huffstetler highlighted his leadership journey within SAME and also some of the indelible moments that motivated him to continue giving back to the profession through SAME. In particular, one that stands out came in 2017, while he was attending a Southeast Region Industry Day. The keynote speaker, then-Maj. Gen. Ed Jackson, USA, in describing the why of why government and industry should endure the challenges and long hours of supporting public sector projects, his simple phrase was “This is noble work.” As Huffstetler described, “Ed’s phrase connected the ‘Why’ of government and the ‘Why” of industry. ‘This is noble work’ is a shared why, a higher calling that underlies SAME’s purpose to preserve this enduring relationship. It inspires us to seek out not only what we can do, but what we must do.”  

Huffstetler will be supported on the National Leadership Team by Past President Sharon Krock, SPWS, F.SAME; President-Elect Ben Matthews, P.E., F.SAME; and Vice Presidents Carrie Ann Williams, CPSM, F.SAME; Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon, P.E., F.SAME, USAF (Ret.); and Albert Romano, F.SAME. In his role as President, he oversees the National Leadership Assembly and Board of Direction, the Society’s two national governance bodies.

A dedicated SAME member since 1988 and a Fellow since 2021, Huffstetler brings to the role over three and a half decades of leadership in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. His career spans the public and private sectors, military and civilian projects, and domestic and international operations.

His military career began as a U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Officer, including five years on exchange assignments with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He first served as a project manager and executive officer with the Transatlantic Division, overseeing Air Force construction efforts in the Middle East. He then became Liaison Officer to the USAF Chief of Staff and the Pentagon Renovation Program, representing USACE’s Baltimore District. Following his military service, Huffstetler transitioned into the private sector, leading teams on construction and A/E projects for federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security (including the U.S. Coast Guard and Secret Service), the National Park Service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He currently serves as Principal and Federal Programs Leader at DLR Group.

Huffstetler has long been a cornerstone of SAME leadership. His past roles include National Vice President (2023), Appointed Director – IGE (2022), Chair of the Membership Community of Interest (2020–2022), and Board Member for the Omaha Post (2016–2022). He also mentored young professionals through the Omaha Post Student Annual Mentoring Program (2007–2009).

His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Omaha Post Douglas A. Plack Golden Eagle Award (2022), SAME President’s Medal (2022), and the SAME President’s Coin (2021).

SAME is proud to welcome Michael Huffstetler, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, F.SAME as the 106th President of the Society, and we look forward to his leadership and experience as industry and government work together to navigate both challenges and opportunities in support of our warfighters and our national security.

Founded in 1920, SAME, through its 25,000 members, builds leaders and leads collaboration among government and industry to develop multi-disciplined solutions to national security infrastructure challenges. Since its founding, a storied list of leaders have served as Society President.

With a National Office in Alexandria, Va., and over 100 local Posts and Field Chapters around the world, the Society unites military, public, private, and academic sector individuals and organizations from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, and contracting disciplines.