National IGE Report: November-December 2025

In September, the 2025 SAME Indo-Pacific Regional Summit convened nearly 1,200 military leaders, industry partners, and representatives from several allied nations for high-level strategic discussions on the future of the region.

Held in Honolulu, the event marked the culmination of a year-long focus on Indo-Pacific engagements within the Society, following events in Alaska, Guam, and Japan, and presented a focused opportunity for businesses and agencies to connect, build relationships, and forge partnerships on the front lines of national security.

Committed Leadership

The event opened with Mike Huffstetler, F.SAME, SAME National President, providing welcome remarks and introducing The Honorable Josh Green, MD, Governor of Hawaii, as keynote speaker. Throughout three days of briefings, sessions, and networking, participants heard loud and clear from agency leaders the need for collaboration with industry to tackle the formidable mission of project delivery across the Indo-Pacific.

Senior panelists included Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Energy, Installations & Environment); Brig. Gen. Joseph Goetz, USA, Commander, USACE Pacific Ocean Division; Rear Adm. Omarr Tobias, CEC, USN, Commander, NAVFAC Pacific; and Brig. Gen. Michael Zuhlsdorf, USAF, Director of Logistics, Engineering, & Force Protection, Pacific Air Forces. Said Tobias: “We rely on the ingenuity and innovation of our A/E/C partners as we continue to bridge the distance together.”

Goetz, meanwhile, summed up the importance of partnership, which illustrates the need for forums like Indo-Pacific Regional Summit and directly aligns with SAME’s core objective. “Our mission is clear: we build deterrence in the Indo-Pacific so that it remains free and open,” he said. “We do this by strengthening relationships, improving infrastructure, and working shoulder to shoulder with our allies, partners, and industry leaders. These forums allow us to align our vision and build networks of trust. It’s how we ensure a strong, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific for the future.”

Joint Perspectives

On the final day, attendees heard from several engineering leaders with the military services on engineering activities in the region and how they are integrating to maintain a shared view of the theater and deliver facilities and infrastructure projects.

During the event, there also were presentations and participation from Australia, Japan, Guam, and Korea, underscoring the international importance of the A/E/C sector coming together.