SAME’s Ukraine Field Chapter: Building Partnerships in a Time of War 

SAME’s Ukraine Field Chapter Finds its Footing Amid Conflict

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the global security environment was upended overnight. In the face of this crisis, SAME sought new pathways to deliver industry-government engagement where it was needed most.  

Building on over 100 years of successfully leading collaboration between the A/E/C industry and government agencies to address pressing engineering issues, SAME put its expertise to work to make new connections in preparation for the considerable engineering undertaking of reconstruction in Ukraine. Emerging from this effort is the Ukraine Field Chapter, one of the Society’s fastest growing international efforts and reflective of SAME’s growing international presence. 

Meeting at the Point of Need 

Ukraine Field Chapter President, Brig. Gen. Glenn Goddard, P.E., PMP, USA (Ret.), is no stranger to the Ukrainian region. After the Russian annexation of the Crimea and Donbas in 2014, the United States stepped up its engagement in the region. As a commanding general of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, Goddard regularly assisted with humanitarian preparedness and population management training in Ukraine. “We were trying to give them the tools to fight with if necessary,” he said. “We used that time effectively to help get Ukrainian training up to speed.” 

“[The SSTS] have a vision that they want to be the Corps of Engineers for Ukraine, That’s where SAME is trying to help them out and bring in skill sets and give them advice on how to grow to that level.”

Ukraine Field Chapter President, Brig. Gen. Glenn Goddard, P.E., PMP, USA (Ret.)

In 2022, just two months after the invasion, Goddard began his civilian role as the Ukraine Program Director for Parsons. “It’s a fascinating job,” Goddard said. “I can overlap my military background and all of the experience with engineering and ask: How can we help the Ukrainian people in their noble fight for survival?”  

Today, Goddard’s work bridges government agencies like USACE and NAVFAC in coordinating efforts to strengthen air defenses, tighten border security, and prepare for the eventual reconstruction of post-war Ukraine.  

Goddard brought this passion and energy to SAME to help the Ukraine Field Chapter become one of the fastest growing field chapters in the Society. Its humble beginnings can be traced to informal gatherings at SAME conferences, where casual “Ukraine Breakfasts” were held to discuss reconstruction and partnership opportunities. This led to the formation of the Ukraine Reconstruction Working Group, which seeks to educate, prepare, and position SAME’s Corporate Members for reconstruction activities and share this information with the Society’s membership in a more formal way. SAME furthered the conversation during its national events by hosting the working group at Capital Week in 2023, 2024, and 2025. At JETC in 2024, an information session hosted by the group recorded standing room only attendance. The group also deepened engagement with Ukraine’s military construction organization, the State Special Transportation Service (SSTS), by hosting SSTS members for panel discussions with attendees at SBC 2023 and 2025 SBC. From these conversations, interest throughout the Society grew quickly.

“[The SSTS] have a vision that they want to be the Corps of Engineers for Ukraine,” Goddard explained. “That’s where SAME is trying to help them out and bring in skill sets and give them advice on how to grow to that level.” 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is an intentional choice as a role model for the SSTS. In the United States, the Corps is critical to national infrastructure, environmental initiatives, and supporting national security by providing military engineering expertise: everything Ukraine needs to weather the crisis and rebuild.  

SAME in Ukraine 

SAME’s Posts and Field Chapters form a critical linkage across industry and government, bringing members together to address local and regional engineering requirements. As the foremost way that SAME meets pressing issues right at the point of need, it was identified that a Field Chapter in Ukraine was a necessary next step to deepen SAME’s engagement in the region. The Ukraine Field Chapter was officially chartered on July 29, 2025. Since its first official event in September, the field chapter has reached 61 individual members and 10 corporate members. Three hybrid events, with help from the American University in Kyiv and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, each drew 150 registered participants. “It shows a strong level of interest.” Goddard said. 

The Ukraine Field Chapter, with the continued support and mentorship of its host chapter, the Blue Ridge Post, is working to transition to full Post status by its one-year anniversary in the summer of 2026. 

A Global Presence 

SAME’s growing international presence reflects the Society’s historical legacy of being “where it is needed, when it is needed,” as national security needs  drive a global-focused mindset. Field Chapters in Poland, Italy, and Australia have all seen increased activity and engagement in recent years. Events like the Japan Industry Forum in Tokyo, the Indo-Pacific Regional Summit in Honolulu, and large-scale industry days held in Korea and Guam highlight the growing need to build relationships and capabilities in complex and rapidly changing global environments. 

The war in Ukraine was top of mind at the recent 2026 Europe Tri-Services Regional Summit held in Frankfurt. The international event that brought together industry experts, government officials, and military leaders was in many ways a culmination of what the Ukraine Field Chapter is working to achieve: connecting expertise, strengthening infrastructure, and preparing for the long-term recovery of the war-torn country.  

“Everybody wants to help in this effort,” Goddard said. “It’s exciting times.” 

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