Society of American Military Engineers

News Archive

SAME Awards $28,500 in Local Scholarships in 2010 - May 24, 2010

On May 14, the SAME San Diego Post Scholarship Trust awarded 10 scholarships totaling $25,000 to students who expressed a high level of interest and commitment to the engineering and architectural professions. Each student submitted a 500-word essay describing how they will benefit the architecture and engineering profession with their degree. They also submitted copies of their college transcripts, which helped demonstrate their seriousness about their chosen profession. Students then participated in a personal interview where they answered a series of questions from a four-person panel. There, they were given a chance to expound on their resumes and transcripts and provide additional insight into their passion for their field.

Special thanks go to the more than a dozen member firms that generously donated to the scholarship fund and supported the SAME mission to assist talented and dedicated students with their educational aspirations. In addition to the $25,000 awarded in May, there was $3,500 provided to the College Opportunity Fund for their distribution to a needy and deserving student of their determination. Last year’s golf tournament also provided significant funding to the program. For a complete list of scholarship sponsors, click on the following link: Scholarship Sponsors
Award Recipients
Gus Lindquist, Senior, New School of Architecture, Architecture, $4,000
Kevin Chen, Sophomore, Mesa College, Mechanical Engineering, $4,000
Carolynn Nepomuceno, Senior, University of CA, San Diego, Structural Engineering, $4,000
Brent Vandiver, Senior, San Diego State University, Civil Engineering, $3,000
Lorenzo Rodriguez, Sophomore, New School of Architecture, Architecture, $2,500
Karallyn Kruse, Sophomore, Woodbury University, Architecture, $2,500
Sam Green, Junior, University of San Diego, Mechanical Engineering, $1,500
Yi (Lillian) Liu, Senior, University of CA, San Diego, Chemical Engineering, $1,500
Rhys Williams, Junior, New School of Architecture, Architecture, $1,500
Laura Duhachek, Senior, New School of Architecture, Architecture, $600
SAME Science Fair Contest - May 3, 2010

Lindsay Brown, an 8th grader at Pershing Middle School, won this year’s SAME Science Fair. Lindsay’s project, titled “Watts Your Angle?” asked which angle was the best angle for solar panels to be most efficient in San Diego. Lindsay discovered that in San Diego, photovoltaic panels should face south and tilt up at an angle of approximately 33 degrees. She says “I’m really interested in solar panels; they’re the way of the future and help the environment.” Congratulations to Lindsay who received a $200 award from SAME San Diego Post.
April Lunch Presentation - CAPT Jim Worcester - May 3, 2010

April’s monthly lunch featured an entertaining and informative presentation by Captain Jim Worcester on the state of the Naval Construction Force (NCF). The NCF Mission is to support Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) and Navy ashore forces as required by the OPLAN and to provide additional support to the Fleet or Joint Task Force Commander as required. Over their 68 year history, Seabees have built countless miles of roads/runways, constructed complex facilities, and provided utilities to millions of people throughout the world. The PowerPoint presentation can be viewed and downloaded from our website http://www.samesandiego.org/pptArchive.php.

Captain Jim Worcester is Commander, 31st Seabee Readiness Group
Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center.
Pictured left is Seabee Petty Officer Second Class Kvatkov wearing their 100 lb pack.
Federal Business Opportunities Forum - April 14, 2010

The SAME Los Angeles Post will be hosting a Federal Business Opportunities Forum at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on 29 April 2010.

Click these links for Event Flyer and Agenda.
Combined Orange County and San Diego Post Meeting - April 12, 2010

The Orange County and San Diego Posts of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) are pleased to announce that Sponsor and Exhibitor registration is now open for the 5th annual Camp Pendleton Day Thursday, June 24, 2010 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the South Mesa Club Ballroom, MCB Camp Pendleton. Last year's event was an amazing success with over 600 attendees and 50 Sponsors/Exhibitors, and we expect this year to also be sold out. Similar to last year, the Program will focus on A/E/C opportunities at CPEN, but will be broadened to include future plans related to Energy and the need to accommodate the new Joint Strike Fighter platform.

We have added Early Bird discounts, so please submit your Sponsor/Exhibitor registration soon! Attendee registration is available through the Orange County website at http://sameoc.org.

Click these links for Event Flyer and
Sponsor-Exhibitor Flyer.
Scholarship Opportunities for 2010 - February 23, 2010

The San Diego Chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will grant between 5 and 10 scholarships to local college and university engineering and architectural students in 2010. The scholarships will range in value from $1,000 to $5,000 each and awarded exclusively to individuals pursuing a degree in Engineering or Architecture.

Applications will be accepted directly from the students. The candidates must be U.S. citizens who are undergraduates and display enthusiastic promise in their studies. Grade point average will not be the only consideration.

Interviews will be scheduled with the candidates deemed best qualified by the SAME Scholarship Committee following a review of individual application packages. The criteria for interview selection will be:

· Academic achievement and professional activities
· Work experience
· A 500 word essay

In addition to the cash award and a scholarship certificate, each scholarship winner and one guest will be invited to the SAME Awards Ceremony luncheon.

The scholarship application package for each individual must be received no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, April 2, 2010, in the following format:

1. Completed standard scholarship application form, along with a copy of most current transcripts.

2. Resume of academic achievements, professional activities, and employment record, if applicable.

3. A 500-word essay (typed, double-spaced) on: How You Intend to Benefit the Profession with Your Degree. Issues addressed may include regional, state or national topics.

Interviews will be conducted during April, at a time and place to be announced. Award presentations will be made at the SAME membership lunch meeting in May.

Click these links for scholarship flyer and
undergraduate application.
NAVFAC Designing and Building Symposium - February 11, 2010

ACEC in association with SAME is holding a NAVFAC Symposium. It is being held March 2 at the Manchester Hyatt, San Diego.

All NAVFAC Business Line leaders will be discussing their specific opportunities. There will also be a panel discussion on LEED certification of Navy and Marine Corps projects (an architect, builder, NAVFAC Rep and USGBC).

Captain Keith Hamilton, Commanding Officer of NAVFAC Southwest, will be the lunchtime keynote speaker and the afternoon will feature breakout sessions that further explain opportunities for large and small businesses, as well as sessions on alternative energy and Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection design.

Click here to access the brochure for the event.
If there are any questions they can be directed to Jenny Devine from ACEC California (see brochure) or Rick Rubin, Chairperson for the event at 858-614-5002.
Operation Thin Mint - February 8, 2010

SAME San Diego Post with the Girl Scouts of Imperial County is collecting donations for Operation Thin Mint, an initiative which sends cookies to deployed troops.

Pictured left is CDR Marko Medved showing off his box of cookies from Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

CDR Medved's daughter, Carly, will join us at our lunch February 10th to collect donations and speak about Operation Thin Mint.
Thanks for attending: Small Business Outreach - January 26, 2010

Thanks to all who attended the San Diego Post of SAME's Small Business Outreach event on January 13th at the Holiday Inn. A well known panel of experts from the Navy, Centre City Development Corporation, and the San Diego Small Business Administration shared their agency's small business goals, as well as information about upcoming contracts and ways for small businesses to participate in contracting opportunities. The event also allowed small businesses to showcase their firms and network with large business sponsors and attendees.

(Speakers Pictured: Left to Right)
Charlene McAdory (Centre City Development Corporation)
Lora Morrow (NAVFAC Southwest Small Business Programs)
Linda Coakley (San Diego Small Business Administration)
Daniel Fung (NAVFAC Southwest Capital Improvements)
Thanks to our January Small Business Outreach Sponsors - January 21, 2010

We'd like to thank the following large and small businesses for their sponsorship of the January 2010 Small Business Outreach Event.

Large Businesses:
AMEC Earth and Environmental
barnhart, inc.
Brown and Caldwell
Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
Clark/McCarthy, A Joint Venture
Collins Engineers, Inc.
gkkworks
Gould Electric
Harper Construction Co.
Johnson Controls
KCH
MACTEC
R. A. Burch Construction Co., Inc.
RBF Consulting
RQC
SimplexGrinnell
Stanley Consultants
Stronghold Engineering Inc.
Swinerton Builders
Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech EC Inc.
Webcor Builders
Winzler & Kelly

Small Businesses:
ACCURATE ENGINEERING INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
AGS, Inc.
AP Construction, Inc.
CHADUX Corp
Chris Gustard Design Collaborative
CPM Partners
DIRTT
EMAX
Flanders Architectural Consulting, Inc.
Flores Lund Consultants
Gulf South Research Corporation
Hal Hays Construction, Inc.
Hunter Pacific Group
John Gallup & Associates
Katz & Associates
Kevcon, Inc.
KTU+A
KWIK-BUILD PANELS, LLC
Laboratory Data Consultants, Inc.
Murrieta Development
Pyramid Services, Inc.
Richard Brady & Associates
RORE Inc.
Sullivan International Group, Inc
The Paul Design Group
Tidewater, Inc.
Turbo CM
Toys for Tots - December 11, 2009

Thanks to all who donated a toy to Toys for Tots at the monthly luncheon on December 9th.

Pictured are the two Marines, Lance Corporal Medrano and Lance Corporal Assenti, who joined us for lunch to tell us about the origins of the program and pick up the donated toys to give to deserving children in San Diego.
Small Business Outreach Event - 13 January 2010 - December 3, 2009

The San Diego Post of SAME is hosting a Small Business Outreach event to be held from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm on January 13th at the Holiday Inn. The Small Business Outreach event will be held during the January SAME Post luncheon. A well known panel of experts from the Navy, Centre City Development Corporation, and San Diego Small Business Administration will share their agency’s Small Business goals and Opportunities for New Partnering Relationships.
The panel of experts includes:
• Linda Ryan (Navy Small Business Outreach)
• Charlene McAdory (Centre City Development Corporation)
• Linda Coakley (San Diego Small Business Administration)

Attendees: Small/Large Businesses and Navy Participants
Tentative Agenda:
• Agency representatives Presentation of Small Business goals and Outreach Program and Opportunities for New Partnering Relationships.
• Open forum for audience question and answer session
• Marketing Roundtable Networking Session for small and large business attendees
Small and large businesses participating in the event will be allocated space on a table for their company brochures, and will be recognized in the SAME monthly newsletter and during the event with individual name tags.
Note: After the luncheon there will be a free raffle for all small businesses, with the winner receiving a one year SAME San Diego Post Membership for 2010.
Small Businesses: Luncheon fee $25/person
Large Businesses: Sponsorship fee $100 and luncheon fee $25/person.
Reservations are required. Please make a reservation under the "Upcoming" tab to attend the luncheon (http://www.samesandiego.org/upcoming.php).
Also, Small and Large Business Sponsors must email your company logo (in JPEG format), business size, and the names of attendeess to Steven Geyer (steve.geyer@ttemi.com) so that name and table tags can be prepared. Please note No Shows will be billed.
SAME San Diego Golf Tournament: October 9, 2009 - June 23, 2009

Please join us for our October 9 SAME San Diego golf tournament. Location will be the Marine Memorial Golf Course at Camp Pendleton. Awards will be given for closest to the pin and longest drive. Make a hole-in-one on the designated hole and win a new automobile. The prizes and awards will be handed out at a catered (no-host bar) reception immediately following the completion of play. Only non-metal golf spikes or tennis shoes are allowed on the course. Please plan to show up 30 minutes prior to start for registration and administrative items.

To register please complete the application form. For those interested in sponsoring this event, please see our sponsor letter. For questions or concerns please contact either John Harris RBF Consulting (858) 614-5016 or Christopher Bush, PARSONS (310) 906-9550. We'll see you there.
21st Annual Navy Gold Coast Opportunity Conference - May 21, 2009

August 4-5 2009, the San Diego Chapter of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association) and Navy Co-Hosts NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Engineering Command) and the Office of Small Business Programs are proud to present the 21st Annual Navy Gold Coast Opportunity Conference.

The purpose of Gold Coast is to provide a forum to educate, guide, and assist businesses, especially small businesses, in working with the government, primarily the Department of Defense. Attendance is not restricted to those who do business directly with the government, but open to all relevant businesses both Large and Small.

Along with listening to interesting and motivating speakers, please plan on attending informative and relevant general/plenary and break-out sessions. Attendees will visit over 250 industry and government exhibitors and enjoy plenty of networking.

Just when we had you at ‘Hello’, the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) has listed this conference as a continuous learning event. Government attendees can earn up to 15 continuous learning points. Now go on and register at www.acteva.com/go/navygoldcoast. while there are still spaces available.

Additional information can be found here.
Combined SAME Luncheon in June - May 21, 2009

For June's luncheon the San Diego post will be combining with the Orange County post. The luncheon will be at Camp Pendleton discussing "US Marine Corps Opportunities related to Grow the Force Initiative and the Stimulus Package."

More information can be found in the flyer.

Registration and Payment information at www.sameoc.org.
Please contact Alicia Meza at 714-433-7727 or Alicia_Meza@URSCorp.com for details.
Renewable Energy for the Workplace Workshop (FREE) - March 12, 2009

Attend this free workshop on sustainability efforts throughout the region and learn from local business leaders who have integrated solar electric, solar thermal and wind into their operations. The workshop is FREE and lunch is sponsored by Qualcomm.

More information on the SDRSP can be found here: http://www.sdrsp.org/.

Flyer attached for more information.
2009 SAME Scholarship Sponsorship Opportunity - February 27, 2009

SAME is asking for your help in sponsoring the 2009 SAME Scholarship Program. There are various levels of sponsorship that are accompanied by different recognition and benefits. Your donation will help us provide scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing a college degree in Engineering or Architecture as well as one scholarship to an eligible Post Member pursuing a post-graduate degree. We will grant up to 10 qualifying scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,000. A total of $25,000 will be awarded and your donation will aid in helping us achieve this goal.

Click these links for scholarship details and graduate application, undergraduate application, and sponsorship details and benefits.
2008 Stuff a Backpack Event - February 17, 2009

In addition to the annual LEED workshop held in November, The San Diego Post of SAME hosted a Stuff a Backpack collection event for the Rescue Task force: Happy Hearts for Hurting Heroes. They support wounded troops by providing necessities when they are separated from their personal belongings after Med-evac.

The event was a success with Individuals and firms raising $6.000 and donating items such as back packs, CD players (portable), CD music, video games, disposable shavers, shaving cream, luggage/name tags, white t-shirts, basketball, flip flops, sweat shirts & pants, socks, comb, and many more.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.rescuetaskforce.org/military.html
2008 Toys For Tots Event a Success - February 17, 2009

In December 2008, SAME San Diego post hosted another successful event collecting donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. Members and guests attending the luncheon were encouraged to bring a new toy for this worthwhile program that has now become a San Diego Post yearly tradition. They did not disappoint. Two large boxes were over flowing with the toys brought in.

A Marine from the program came to lunch and was on hand to speak with us and answer any questions. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at the holidays, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. To learn more about toys for tots, visit http://toysfortots.org/default.asp.
2009 Seabee Camp to be held 19 thru 25 July - February 17, 2009

The 2009 Engineering and Construction “Seabee” Camp will be held from 19 July through 25 July, 2009 at the Navy Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, CA. Forty high school sophomores and juniors are expected to attend. The purpose of the camp is to give the students an appreciation for a career in engineering or related fields. An expressed interest in engineering and a GPA of 3.0 or better are desired for the successful applicants. Camp applications may be found at www.same.org. The San Diego Post intends to sponsor two campers so if any Post member knows of a potential candidate, please encourage him or her to apply. The application deadline for the Seabee Camp is May 15, 2009.

In addition our Post and others will send eight young members to camp as mentors plus a senior mentor. Also we need the support of several sustaining member firms to help with three camper exercises including the cardboard boat construction and race event, the reinforced concrete beam construction and the popsicle stick truss bridge construction event. Special thanks goes to sustaining members Sundt, Clark, URS and Carter Burgess-Jacobs who all provided great support for the 2008 camp.

For further information on the Camp please email 2009 senior mentor Pat
Donnelly, pdonnelly@pointsandiego.com or former mentor Roger Frauenfelder, hrandgf@att.net.

Note: go to http://picasaweb.google.com/seabeecamp08 to see photos from the 2008 camp.
January 2009 President's Message - January 26, 2009

As we begin 2009, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) San Diego Post reflects on an extremely successful 2008. Each year, the San Diego Post submits their annual Awards Streamer outline of accomplishments to SAME Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Awards Streamer submission is detailed and comprehensive outlining all the activities and achievements that have been accomplished under four main categories:
- Relationships and Recognition Streamer
- Education and Training Streamer
- Outreach and Communication Streamer
- Readiness and Homeland Security Streamer
These accomplishments are significant and demonstrate the dedication and focus of the San Diego Post to supporting the mission and values of the Society of American Military Engineers. The focus of the San Diego Post in 2009 will be to continue to improve our programs which support the goals of the National organization. We will promote activities and programs that support national security through the development of relationships among military professionals, public and private engineers and related professionals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the San Diego Post Board of Directors and the Membership for their support and participation during 2008. We look forward to another outstanding year in 2009.

You may view an overall summary of the San Diego Post’s significant accomplishments on our website.
Thanks to our January Small Business Outreach Sponsors - January 24, 2009

We'd like to thank the following large and small businesses for their sponsorship:

Large Businesses:
Brown and Caldwell, Centennial Contractors, CH2MHILL INC, EDAW, Harper Construction Co, Hensel, Phelps, Kleinfelder, Ledcor Construction, MACTEC, R A Burch Construction Co Inc, RBF Consulting, SimplexGrinnell, Soltek Pacific Corporation, Syska Hennessy Group, Tetra Tech, Tetra Tech EC Inc

Small Businesses:
Allen Engineering Contractor Inc, Bird Solutions International, BSE Engineering Inc, CopperTop Enterprises, EMAX, GeomorphIS, Hal Hays Construction Inc, Howard Associates, HVAC Engineering, Independent Energy Solutions Inc, Integrated Environmental Services, John Gallup & Associates, Nasland Engineering, Nautilus Environmental, PacRim Engineering, Q&S Engineering, Redhorse Corporation, RORE Inc, RQC, SDE, Structural Technology Consultants, SW Engineering Inc, The Geldner Group
Thank you to our 2008 Golf Sponsers - October 30, 2008

Commander-in-Chief Level: Harper Construction
Joint Chiefs Level: Allen Engineering, Engineering Partnersm, AMEC, CDM Federal Programs, SDG&E, Parsons
Admiral Level: Applied Energy LLC., A&P Constrcution and Development, Kennedy.Jenks Consultants, Geosyntec Consultants, Ledcor
Captain Level: Geotechnics, Kleinfelder, Winzler&Kelly, Peter Van De Werff Construction, RBF Consulting, Dahl Taylor & Associates, Brown & Caldwell, Soltek Pacific Construction, Sullivan International, Rolf Jensen & Associates, Syska Hennessy Group
Annual Golf Tournament Announced - July 17, 2008

This year's annual golf tournament was announced at the July business lunch. The tournament will be held on 10 October 2008 at Camp Pendleton's Marine Memorial Golf Course. The golf tournement is the primary fundraisers for the scholarships S.A.M.E. awards each year.

For information on how your firm can sponser the event, please contact John Harris at (858) 614-5016.
2008 Seabee Camp - June 30, 2008

This summer's camp will be held between July 19 and July 26 at Naval Base Ventura County. The camp is being sponsored by the Oxnard-Ventura and San Diego SAME Posts as well as SAME Hq's. We expect 40 campers this year who will be sophomores and juniors from highschools across the U.S. including Hawaii and Alaska. We even have one camper coming from Korea.

All the campers have expressed an interest in Engineering and Construction. The purpose of the camp is to introduce to the practical aspects of the profession and the possibility of going into engineering and construction through the military.