Started in 2013 as a partnership with Syracuse University, SPARK has since been scaled to competitions comprised of multiple universities. As part of each competition, diverse, cross-discipline student teams are provided real-world problem statements and given 24 hours to develop and present their solution. Guided by subject matter experts from OBG and industry partners, the teams ideate, develop concepts, and pitch their solutions to a panel of academic and private sector judges to win a cash prize. We are pleased to announce the participating universities for SPARK Metro 2018 include Villanova University, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University. Details at www.obg.com/Spark
We would like to recognize Amy D’Alonzo-Basehoar as our Member Spotlight. Amy is active at all levels of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) including as an At-Large Director for the Philadelphia Post; Co-Chair for the Steering Committee for the Philadelphia Post’s Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites Symposium hosted in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Regional Fellows Point of Contact for SAME’s North Atlantic Region; Social Media Coordinator for the New Jersey Post; and Member of SAME’s National Awards and Recognition Committee. She has been serving the Society as a member of the National Awards and Recognition Committee since 2008 and in June of 2015 became the Committee’s Chair. Mostly recently, she was the Chair of the Recognition Committee for the Baltimore Post, a position she held for 14 years. Amy was elevated to the rank of Fellow by the SAME Academy of Fellows in 2014. This achievement, which is the highest classification one can receive within SAME, is a result of Amy's dedicated and outstanding service to both SAME and to the A-E-C profession throughout her career. Amy has a distinguished track record as a business development professional and client and proposal manager in the private sector since graduating from Alvernia College (University) with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications. Amy is also a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Philadelphia; a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania; and Chair of the Church of St. Benedict’s Family Life Committee. Thank you for everything that you do Amy!
Founded in 1920, SAME is the premier professional association uniting public and private sector individuals and organizations from across the environmental, architecture, engineering, construction, technology, facility management, contracting and acquisition disciplines in support of national security. For almost 100 years, SAME members have been at the forefront of our nation’s greatest engineering achievements. Today, SAME members continue to solve 21st Century challenges, including energy and environmental sustainability, global stability, the war on terror, cyber security, and resilience against the effects of natural and man-made disasters. SAME, as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2020, has grown alongside its members. The organization now offers extensive opportunities for training, education, and professional growth through conferences, workshops, networking events, webinars, technical publications, leadership development and strategic partnerships, including now with IGEL — The Wharton-led, Penn-wide Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership (IGEL). The SAME Philadelphia Post and IGEL have partnered to promote knowledge, discussion, and business practices for business sustainability. Together, we are offering further collaboration to support our collective missions for energy and environmental stability across the globe.