I hope everyone had a great summer and enjoyed time with family and friends. A highlight for me was visiting SAME’s magnificent STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps and attending several tremendous Post events, where I witnessed lots of energy, passion and purpose, and was able to recognize many volunteer leaders. Let’s keep it up: we are making a BIG difference!
As we prepare for a busy fall and SAME’s rapidly approaching Federal Small Business Conference in Pittsburgh (Nov. 15-17), a significant action was launched by the Executive Committee at the Post Leader’s Workshop in August: planning for our Centennial in 2020 and the creation of “Task Force 2020.” Properly closing out our first 100 years and kicking off our second century is a major priority of mine, so I’m “all in” as we move forward. We have the unique opportunity to really emphasize TEAMWORK, in addition to our energy, passion and purpose.
Teamwork can determine project success or failure; it doesn’t matter what step in project lifecycle we are undertaking. Teamwork is non-negotiable. Ask the leaders of our national summer camps: Scott Prosuch, Joe Angell, Henry Dulaney, and Jack Siebert. They will tell you teamwork is a driving factor that makes our camps so impactful for the aspiring engineers who attend. I personally witnessed the tremendous efforts that our all-volunteer camps operation—mentors, leaders and partners—put forth to flawlessly plan and execute these weeks. I saw Sustaining Member firms actively participate and was awed by the resources and volunteers provided by our military services. My thanks to everyone!
Our camps are just one example of the contributions SAME makes as we lead collaborative efforts to bring industry, government, and academia together to solve infrastructure-related challenges and grow our profession—all in support of national security.
We envision JETC 2020 to be a kick-off event for regional and Post celebrations that follow for the balance of the year. The date is already secured: May 27-29, 2020. Mark it on your calendars.
To ensure we strengthen this unique leadership role in our industry, we must look forward. Everyone will have a chance to support our Centennial Celebration. There will be something for every member along the spectrum of opportunities!
CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
Task Force 2020 is unique in that it includes all the leadership of the Society and will rely on the input of every member. We only turn 100 once. We have to get this right! The Executive Committee affirmed that the celebration will not just be JETC with a birthday cake—it will be a grand, co-sponsored event in our nation’s capital where our many stakeholders will acknowledge the critical role we play in serving our nation and our profession. We envision JETC 2020 to be a kick-off event for regional and Post celebrations that follow for the balance of the year. The date is already secured: May 27-29, 2020. Mark it on your calendars.
In addition to starting the planning early to make sure we get our 100th Anniversary right, Task Force 2020 will also serve as a catalyst to accelerate the implementation and impact of the 2020 SAME Strategic Plan.
We have made significant progress on every front and we are clearly focused on achieving our vision. My heartfelt thanks to each of you for the many truly wonderful things you are doing. Because of our dedicated volunteers and our sense of teamwork, we are making a big difference.
[Article first published in the September-October 2017 issue of The Military Engineer.]
