SAME and AEE Announce Strategic Partnership

Leading Organizations to Advance Sustainable Energy, Security, and Engineering Excellence

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) have announced a new strategic partnership, uniting their expertise to drive innovation in sustainable energy, infrastructure resilience, energy security, and professional development.

This collaboration brings two organizations together with deep commitments to engineering excellence. Founded in 1920, SAME has a legacy of connecting military, government, and private-sector professionals to solve critical infrastructure challenges and help advance engineering readiness for national security. With 22,000 members and 100 Posts (Chapters) worldwide, SAME’s network spans architecture, construction, engineering, cybersecurity, and facility management. AEE, a global leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, will work alongside SAME to expand training, certifications, and advocacy for energy resilience in defense and federal sectors.

Key Areas of Collaboration

• Professional Development: Joint training initiatives and expanded certification pathways for military personnel, veterans, and federal employees.
• Conferences & Events: increased presence and participation at flagship conferences and events, including AEE World Energy Conference & Expo and SAME Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC).
• Global Outreach: Advance global knowledge-sharing between civilian and military sectors by developing co-located regional events and international programs that enhance energy resilience for military operations.

Leadership Perspectives

Bill Kent, AEE Executive Director, emphasized the partnership’s potential:
“AEE and SAME share a mission to equip engineers with the skills needed for a sustainable future. By combining our networks, we can accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions—whether in civilian infrastructure or defense applications.”

Maj. Gen. Mike Wehr, USA (Ret.), SAME Executive Director, added:
“SAME is committed to fostering partnerships that strengthen our nation’s engineering workforce. Collaborating with AEE allows us to integrate innovative energy practices into the critical infrastructure projects that safeguard our communities and national security.”

Looking Ahead

The strategic partnership will roll out joint programs in 2026, including co-branded training sessions, conference tracks, and advocacy efforts. Both organizations invite professionals to engage in upcoming events and initiatives. For SAME, the Energy Security COI will lead coordination of the SAME/AEE partnership, ensuring critical energy topics related to infrastructure readiness and national security are addressed through key education and training platforms. As part of its mission to lead collaboration, SAME is committed to developing strategic partners across the A/E/C sector and STEM fields.

About AEE

Founded in 1977, the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a nonprofit professional society of over 17,000 members and 32,000 active certifications in more than 140 countries. AEE provides energy professionals with the knowledge, tools, and networking they need to improve energy efficiency and sustainability in all sectors of the global economy.

About SAME

Founded in 1920, SAME’s mission, to lead collaboration in support of national security priorities, is advanced through three interrelated strategic goals: Drive Partnerships, Deliver Solutions, and Develop People. 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 the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, and contracting disciplines. Through the SAME Foundation, the organization also is helping inspire and invest in the next generation of STEM professionals and leaders for the nation. Learn more at www.same.org.