2021 was another year of firsts for SAME. Through ongoing disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, the Society has adapted to the changing landscape, and members found ways to innovate and continue their dedicated work to supporting the nation’s infrastructure and engineering needs.
Our Top Ten articles from the Bricks & Clicks blog for 2021 showcase the breadth of ways that the Society is making an impact and carrying out the five goals of our 2025 SAME Strategic Plan. From insights on removing barriers for service members transitioning into private industry to developing tomorrow’s engineering leaders to celebrating our Centennial with the official publication of the SAME Century Book, our most-read articles look back at another unprecedented year–and optimistically look forward to our next century.
10. Educating, Engaging, and Inspiring a Century of Engineers
In celebration of National Engineer’s Week, SAME took a look back at how members are fulfilling Goal 4 of the 2025 SAME Strategic Plan to enrich the STEM pipeline for the nation. Whether it is financial support through a local Post scholarship programs, exposure to STEM through one of our SAME Engineering and Construction Camps, or continuing education through an online webinar or conference, SAME is taking the next step in the holistic education of our next generation of engineers.
9. Preview SAME’s 2021 Virtual Capital Week: March 22-26
SAME’s 2021 Virtual Capital Week, a members-only event held March 22-26, offered opportunities for attendees to learn about the upcoming federal engineering, construction, and environmental programs; network with senior leaders; and hear directly from contracting representatives, flag and general officers, and other decision-makers within the engineering components of the military services and select federal agencies. In 2021, Virtual Capital Week also featured “fireside” chats with the service chiefs to get details on the way ahead as well as industry-government engagement sessions, a virtual expo hall to support market research needs, and updates from Congressional staffers on how the new administration will be addressing strategic and budgetary decisions facing the federal A/E/C market.
8. Making Essential Connections: An Interview with Small Business COI Chair Mario Burgos
In this interview with Mario Burgos, President & CEO, Burgos Group, and Chair of the Small Business COI, he discussed how the COI is fulfilling the five goals of the 2025 SAME Strategic Plan, how engagement with SAME has returned value for his own small business, and what he’s looking forward to most at the upcoming 2021 Small Business Conference in Atlanta.
7. Post Best Practices: Working Together to Deliver Value
In this Post Best Practice, Bricks & Clicks chatted with Jeff Davis, California Regional Vice President, for his insights on what have been the keys for the seven Posts of the California Region (Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Oxnard-Ventura, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco) to maintaining engagement during the pandemic, where he sees the future of online programming headed, and tips for other Posts and Regions looking to enrich their virtual offerings.
6. Removing Barriers to Hiring Veterans
Guest contributor Vinay Nair, P.E., CCM, PMP, discusses why hiring managers should seek out veterans, how to combat lack of knowledge or misconceptions about military resumes, and advice to make a veteran’s transition into the company culture as smooth as possible.
5. 2021 Deltek Clarity Government Contracting Survey is Now Open
The annual Deltek Clarity Government Contracting Survey helps industry firms of all sizes benchmark their business and gain a better understanding of how others within the market are performing. This detailed snapshot of the contracting landscape is packed full of one-of-a-kind industry benchmarks and trends.
4. SAME Century Book: Celebrating 100 Years of Society History
The Century Book, SAME: The Second Century Begins – Preparing for the Future by Building on the Past, marked the first 100 years of the Society of American Military Engineers. Filled with a combination of unique archival material from the past century of engineering history and an unprecedented look at tomorrow, the SAME Century Book is a never-before-attempted survey of the Society’s past, present, and future. Dive into the compelling stories, unique perspectives, and rare insights into the sweeping contributions of members over the years.
3. Transcending “Facilities”: An Interview with Facility Asset Management COI Chair Lisa Cooley
In this interview, Bricks & Clicks chatted with Lisa Cooley, Vice President of Federal Solutions with Gordian, and Chair of the FAM COI in 2021, on her leadership vision for the COI, what she’s looking forward to most in the 2021 Virtual Facilities Management Workshop, and where she sees the future of facility management headed in the post-pandemic world.
2. Welcome SAME’s 2021-2022 Leader Development Program Class
The third cohort of SAME’s Leader Development Program was announced in April. These 20 members will spend the next year conducting a curriculum of hands-on training, study, and active engagement to grow personally and professionally. As a capstone to the program, they will also complete an independent or collaborative utilization project focused on a key need or interest-area of SAME and the A/E/C profession. The national Leader Development Program is designed to identify and cultivate talent from within the Society to support the development of the next generation of military, government, and industry leaders and help meet the crucial leadership needs of the country and the profession.
1. Building a Post-Service Career in the Construction Industry
Our #1 article for 2021 conducted four interviews with construction leaders at Hill International on insights from their transition from military service into the construction industry. While each leader’s experience transitioning to the construction industry was unique, there are also several similarities and common themes. For anyone considering a career in the construction industry after serving in the military, read on to hear about the challenges, surprises, and accomplishments of the transition process.
