The SAME Academy of Fellows will invest 24 new Fellows during its annual Investiture Ceremony, which will be held Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va. Established in 1995, the SAME Academy of Fellows recognizes those members who have rendered dedicated and outstanding service to the Society, to military engineering, and the A/E/C profession.
This year’s new Class of Fellows includes current or retired members of four uniformed services, public sector civilians, and private industry professionals—among them small business owners, architects, engineers, project managers, and more. They are part of SAME’s 30,000 members across the world, who, collectively, are a rich and diverse group of individuals from throughout the public, private and academic sectors, working to support SAME’s mission to “lead collaborative efforts to identify and resolve national security infrastructure-related challenge.”
Congratulations to the 24 new SAME Fellows who will be invested in March:
- Capt. George G. Bonner, P.E., CFM, F.SAME, USCG – Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center, Norfolk, Va.
Capt. George Bonner is a proven leader in Coast Guard Engineering and in SAME, particularly with the Hampton Roads Post, where he has served as Post President and on the Board of Directors. Capt. Bonner has been instrumental in advancing K-12, High School, College, and Young Member mentoring programs to promote STEM development and build engineers to meet our nation’s emerging challenges. In the Coast Guard, he has been a national leader in addressing sustainability and climate change challenges, notably on the Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise pilot project, where he is promoting collaboration across federal, state, local, and community stakeholders to integrate planning and adaptation strategies to enhance our nation’s infrastructure resilience.
- James E. Davis, CSP, PG, F.SAME – Pond & Company
Jim Davis has over 30 years of professional Health and Safety leadership experience, helping others to become successful in industries such as construction, geology, engineering, emergency response, environmental remediation, and disaster response. Since becoming a member of SAME in 2004, he has served in nearly every leadership position within the Mobile Post including Post President in 2010. His leadership efforts were instrumental in the Mobile Post’s recognition as the SAME Top Large Post as well as the establishment of the first local SAME Student Chapter at the University of South Alabama. Jim, Corporate Health and Safety Director with Pond & Company, continues his personal mission to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
- Jeffrey A. Davis, F.SAME – Kleinfelder
Jeff Davis has served on the Orange County Post Board of Direction since 2004. As Post President, he led the Post to Distinguished Post honors in 2010-2011 including a Membership Growth Award. Jeff is an active member of several Post committees including Chair of the Organizing Committee for Camp Pendleton Day, a joint event with the San Diego Post that has evolved over the past decade into a premiere A/E/C industry event in Southern California attracting more than 3,000 attendees, 500 exhibitors, and donating over $180,000 to local military charities. In addition, Jeff has helped establish an SAME Student Chapter at Saddleback Community College. In his day job with Kleinfelder, Jeff currently leads teams to drive business development activities throughout Southern California.
- Robert M. Harris Jr., P.E., F.SAME – Directorate of Public Works, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Robert Harris Jr. has been an SAME member for over 19 years, and served as Fort Bragg Post Secretary since 2002. He is Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, manages all Post MATHCOUNTS and STEM support, handles all continuing education administration, and is an active member of the Fundraising and Membership Committees. In 2012, he was program and track chairman for the Carolinas Joint Engineer Training, which drew over 300 people and raised $70,000 for the Fort Bragg Post and others in the region. Professionally, he has had a distinguished 33-year-career serving soldiers at “The Center of the Military Universe,” Fort Bragg, where his Engineering Division is responsible for the largest O&M design and construction program in the Army.
- Col. Thomas D. Heinold, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Retired Army Col. Thomas Heinold has contributed immeasurably to military engineering profession and SAME both as a uniformed officer and a civilian. As an engineer officer, he delivered engineering solutions to his units and multinational counterparts in Germany, Korea, Kosovo, and Iraq. As a civilian with USACE he has provided solutions through planning, designing and constructing major critical civil works projects. Within SAME, Col. Heinold has served continuously in Post officer positions and committees including Post President of Rock Island Post, he has put forth exemplary efforts to host two Joint Region Conferences and a National JETC, and has been elected by his peers to be the Great Lakes Regional Vice President.
- Ramon A. Herrera, P.E., F.SAME – Midtown Engineers LLC
Ramon Herrera was appointed as Young Member Chairman of the Houston-Galveston Post in his first year of membership in 2003, and has served as an officer, committee chair, or director every year since—including Young Member Director, Small Business Committee Chair, Community Outreach Committee Chair, Annual Sponsorships Committee Chair, Vice President of Programs and Post President. In 2015, Ramon received the SAME Post Service Medal for significant and faithful service to the Society at the Post level. Early in his career he founded his own engineering firm, Midtown Engineers, and has grown it to noteworthy success for over a decade. He has served as Principal-In-Charge and Engineer of Record on over 700 projects for the public and private sector.
- Cdr. Jon H. Holbrook, AIA, LEED AP, F.SAME, USCGR (Ret.) – HDR Inc.
Retired Coast Guard Reserve Commander Jon Holbrook has served as the Programs Chair; Education, Training, and Professional Development Chair; First Vice President; President and on the Board of Directors of the Denver Post, and has been an avid supporter of outreach programs including: MATHCOUNTS, the SAME/Air Force Academy Engineering & Construction Camp, and the Colorado School of Mines Student Chapter. As Denver Post President in 2009, Jon led the initiative to establish a STEM Explorers Mentoring Program. He received the Post’s Mount Elbert Award in 2006, Mount Evans Award 2010, and Post President’s Award in 2014 for his continued leadership. He is currently Associate Vice President and Senior Federal Program Manager with HDR.
- Col. Russell R. Hula, F.SAME, USAF – Detachment 8, Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Air Force Col. Russell Hula has served the Society at the Post level in numerous positions over 15 years, including Executive Director, Post President, Military Representative, and Young Member Chair. He is an ardent supporter of SAME goals, including K-12 outreach and STEM. He has led fundraising efforts to provide scholarships to engineering and architecture students and provided opportunities for students to attend the SAME Engineering & Construction Camps. Among his many contributions as a Civil Engineering Officer, he led engineer and EOD efforts at Balad Air Base in Iraq, during the height of combat operations in 2006. Col. Hula is currently Commander, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Detachment 8, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.
- Keith F. Lashway, P.E., F.SAME, F.NSPE – International Masonry Institute
Keith Lashway for more than 12 years has served as the President of the NY Capital District Post— keeping the small, but vibrant Post active by tirelessly supporting the mission and goals of SAME and partnering with other associations in the Capitol Area to promote engineering at all levels. As a testament to his dedication, the Post earned the membership streamer six consecutive years. As an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities, Keith has dedicated his career to education and training. Among his many accomplishments, he was hand-selected as one of a four member team of Civil Engineering Professors to serve as an Advisory Group to the University of Qatar’s School of Civil Engineering.
- Mark A. Loes, ET, CWI, F.SAME – Braun Intertec Corporation
Mark Loes has strengthened SAME through leadership at the National, Regional and Post Levels, with a passion for always saying yes to difficult tasks that need to be addressed. This includes serving on the Warrior Transition Task Force, using his experience to help SAME align military training opportunities for non-commissioned personnel with certification requirements. Mark has been a dedicated member of the Greater Kansas City Post, including serving as Post President in 2010. A major focus of his professional career for more than 35 years has been mentoring students and young engineers. Mark is currently Business Development Manager, for Braun Intertec Corporation, which he joined in 2015 after more than a decade with Kleinfelder.
- Col. Joe D. Manous Jr., Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – Institute for Water Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Retired Army Colonel Joe Manous Jr. has had a distinguished military career followed by almost a decade of public service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Institute for Water Resources. During his 34 years of SAME membership, he has made significant contributions at the Post and National level, including service as College Outreach Chair and currently, as President of the Northern Virginia Post. During his three years leading the College Outreach Committee, Col. Manous oversaw a 40 percent increase in Student Chapters and instituted a number of programmatic initiatives such as a Student Chapter Guide, Student Leaders Workshop, and Distinguished Student Chapter Streamer. Within the Institute for Water Resources, he has earned a reputation for expertise in assessing strategic direction within the field of water resources.
- Lt. Col. Charles S. Markham, PMP, EIT, F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – Directorate of Public Works, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Markham began his relationship with SAME in 1982 as a Second Lieutenant and has been an active leader for multiple posts, including President of three different posts in two countries (Mount Tacoma, Portland and Korea). These posts’ successes were regularly recognized with Distinguished Post Streamers. He continually emphasized post leader and young member development, and growth of future engineers through scholarship programs. As an Army Officer, private sector engineer and currently a Department of the Army Civilian engineer as Deputy for Programs & Operations at the Directorate of Public Works, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, he has been a dedicated contributor to the public engineering and construction community.
- Benjamin E. Matthews, P.E., F.SAME – Atkins North America
Ben Matthews has been a dedicated SAME member for 13 years and one of the most active Young Members to date, serving as National Young Member Council Secretary while he was in the Air Force and becoming National College Outreach Committee Chair after transitioning to the private sector in 2007. During his three-year tenure as Chair, Ben nearly quadrupled the number of Student Chapters from 11 to 39. He also was the major catalyst in starting the LinkedIn SAME group, which now has almost 11,000 members. He received the SAME President’s Medal in 2010. Most recently, he served as 2014 Dallas Post President, leading the Post to Distinguished Post status. Named an ENR “Top 20 Under 40” in 2015, Ben is currently Air Force Division Manager with Atkins.
- Col. Peter W. Mueller, P.E., PMP, F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – Architect of the Capitol
Retired Army Colonel Pete Mueller, since joining SAME in 1987 as an Army Engineer Captain assigned to the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, has served in many leadership positions in numerous Posts across the United States, including Baltimore, Fort Campbell, Charleston, Cape Fear and, most recently, Northern Virginia Post where he is currently 2nd Vice President. Col. Mueller also has been a member of the SAME Facility Asset Management Committee, a panelist at the Transition Workshop for transitioning veterans, and served multiple years as a moderator for the annual Federal Agency Program Briefings. After retiring from the Army, he joined Parsons where he led several key military projects as a program manager, and is now Director of Planning and Project Management for the Architect of the Capitol.
- Gita Murthy, Ph.D., F.SAME – RORE Inc.
Dr. Gita Murthy has served on the San Diego Post Board of Direction since 2006 and is currently Post President. She has served in many roles, including the Public Relations Chair, Science Fair Program Chair, and Small Business Chair. She has also served on the Post Scholarship Committee, Camp Pendleton Day Committee, and was a Trustee of the Post’s Education and Mentoring Trust. She also was the Co-Chair for the successful 2013 JETC in San Diego. That year she also was named Chair of the SAME Small Business Council. As the founder and CEO of RORE Inc., Dr. Murthy has led the environmental engineering and construction firm from infancy to a $35 million firm, having managed nearly 30 IDIQ contracts as a prime contractor for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other public sector clients.
- Gwennette Parker, F.SAME – The Parker Connection
Gwen Parker has been a dedicated member of the SAME Savannah Post Board since 2004 and served as Post President 2006-2008. She has been Chair of the Post’s Annual Engineering Week Technical Training Conference; Co‐Chair of Annual Industry Day Program for nine years; Chair of Annual Small Business Showcase for five years; and Streamers Committee Member & Chair. She also helped establish Student Chapters at Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern University. Over a 30-year career working at USACE Savannah District, with a large engineering firm, and now as owner of her own company, The Parker Connection, she has been dedicated to assisting small business through educating, mentoring and counseling them on the nuances of attaining work with the federal government.
- Col. Robert J. Ruch, F.SAME, USA – U.S. Army Engineering & Support Center, Huntsville
Army Col. Bob Ruch for over 30 years has distinguished himself in service to his country and SAME. He served as President of the Omaha Post and the Philadelphia Post while a District Commander with USACE; now Commander of Huntsville Center, he serves on the Huntsville Post Board of Directors, where he remains a strong advocate for the Society’s goals and objectives, including promoting STEM and supporting industry-government collaboration. And he is a frequent and enthusiastic speaker, supporting SAME events in his roles with the Army. During his military career Col. Ruch served in some of the most storied tactical units in the Army, including Division Engineer for the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, from 2006-2008, and he commanded an unprecedented three USACE districts.
- Capt. Robert D. Schlesinger, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, F.SAME, USN (Ret.) – Michael Baker International
Retired Navy Captain Bob Schlesinger has been very engaged as a Regional Vice President, Elected Director on the Board of Direction, member of the National Awards Committee, and as Seattle Post President since joining SAME in 2005. In his role on the National Board, Capt. Schlesinger was a key contributor in the SAME Strategic Plan review process last year. His service as Northwest RVP re-invigorated the region, and helped several posts start beneficial new initiatives including the Portland Post’s “Meet the Chiefs” event. Capt. Schlesinger’s 29-year Navy career included assignments as Commanding Officer of NAVFAC Northwest; Director for Facilities and Environment at Navy Installations Command; and twice he served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He is currently a Senior Vice President with Michael Baker International.
- Tiffany H. Seibt, F.SAME – Aerostar SES LLC
Tiffany Seibt has made significant contributions to SAME the last 12 years, including as Mobile Post’s first female President in 2013-2014, and currently as Liaison for the University of South Alabama Student Chapter. She has strengthened the Post’s small business programs, organizing the first Small/Large Business Open Forum, and initiated a segment of monthly programs to connect contractors with local USACE business opportunities. Her planning of the South Atlantic/South Central Regional JETS in 2006 and 2013 was instrumental to their success. Professionally, Tiffany has distinguished herself in over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting—as an owner of Aerostar Environmental Services, providing environmental services to DOD clients—and continuing today with Aerostar SES LLC, as a Senior Program Manager.
- Marci R. Snyder, F.SAME – Woolpert
Marci Snyder has been a passionate SAME member for 13 years and has been active in all Posts of the Ohio Valley Region, with Kittyhawk her home Post. While serving as RVP, the Ohio Valley Region saw prosperous membership growth and continues to grow with initiatives that complement SAME’s Strategic Goals. Marci served as Kittyhawk Post President (2007-2008), during which the Post grew membership 20 percent and was named a Distinguished Post. Marci has demonstrated tremendous service over the last 15 years, working in business development and marketing positions with Woolpert. In particular, she was instrumental in the firm’s Capture Plan Process for sales pursuits, which has yielded an 82 percent success rate—a 60 percent improvement over the previous five years.
- Kirk W. Ticknor, P.E., CFM, F.SAME – Directorate of Public Works, Fort Benning, Ga.
Kirk Ticknor is the model of grass roots involvement for the SAME mission and engineering profession over his 27 years of membership—including four years as Iowa State University Student Chapter President (1981-1985). He has helped grow the Fort Benning-Columbus Post into a thriving organization whose members contribute substantially to SAME’s mission. He is a strong supporter of STEM at all levels and since 2010 has been the Post’s Professional Development & Mentoring Chair. Professionally, Kirk’s projects have resulted in major improvements to public safety, including the removal of hazardous materials from waste disposal sites such as the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant. He is currently Operations & Maintenance Division Chief for the Directorate of Public Works at Fort Benning.
- Col. Bryan P. Truesdell, P.E., F.SAME, USA – North American Aerospace Defense Command/U.S. Northern Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
Army Colonel Bryan Truesdell, currently Pikes Peak Post President, has supported SAME as a member for 23 years, most notably through leadership and mentorship of young engineer officers and future engineers. As President of the Japan Post, a post the size of the East Coast of the Unites States, with three field chapters, he used technology to conduct board meetings and membership meetings focusing on professional development and certification of young American engineers working in Japan. During his military career, Col. Truesdell commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Engineer Battalion; 65th Engineer Battalion; 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion; USACE Japan District, and is currently Command Engineer, NORAD and USNORTHCOM.
- Lt. Col. Robert H. Yauger, P.E., F.SAME, USAR (Ret.) – Gannett Fleming Inc.
Retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Robert Yauger has been a dedicated member of SAME since joining the Society in 1994. He has served as an elected leader or appointed committee member since joining the Pittsburgh Post Board as Secretary in 1999, including serving two consecutive elected terms as Post President (the first time in the Post’s history), and currently serves as a Director on the Board. As President, he developed a schedule that enabled Sustaining Members and organizations to showcase their talents, capabilities, and support to SAME—often at their office or project site. Rob served 22 years as an Army Reserve engineer officer, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is currently Geotechnical Project Manager at Gannett Fleming.
- Andrew F. Young, P.E., F.SAME – Transportation Division, Multnomah County, Ore.
Andrew Young has been an inspirational leader in SAME since joining in 2001. He is an integral part of the Portland Post and has long been a volunteer for Veteran’s support initiatives and Construction Safety issues. He has held more than 15 leadership positions as a Portland Post Board Member and Post Leader, including Post President (2008-2009), during which attendance at meetings more than doubled thanks to his outreach and engagement. Andrew also was an active member of the Illinois Institute of Technology Student Chapter from 1986-1991 while an ROTC student. He served as an engineer officer in the Army before joining the private sector. He worked many years as a Project Manager with MacKay Sposito, and now is a Civil Engineer and Project Manager in the Transportation Division of Multnomah County, Oregon.
The 2016 Academy of Fellows Investiture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., preceding the Golden Eagle Awards Dinner, which this year will honor Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), for contributions to the engineering profession; and Adm. Vernon E. Clark, USN (Ret.), for contributions to national security.
Learn more the SAME Academy of Fellows.
Learn more about attending the SAME Golden Eagle Awards Dinner.
