To maximize the benefits to our public and private sector members, increase conference quality and participation, and reduce members’ travel commitments, we are continuing to consolidate the number of conferences. In addition, we are partnering with other organizations to reduce the overall number of competing events. Beginning in 2006, we will strive to no longer have conferences hosted by only one region. Most of our regions have already partnered with other regions, so this will not be a significant change. In the future, though, you will see some regional conferences co-sponsored by three regions.

One of our Society’s strategic objectives is to partner with other professional organizations and the uniformed services so that we can bring more value to our members at these regional conferences. We have made tremendous progress in this area. For example, in Portland, Ore., SAME is offering a two-day review course for the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation, followed by the CFM Exam. This program is offered through a partnership with the International Facility Management Association. The course will be a great opportunity for those in facility management to gain a credential that certifies them as a professional facility manager. (See same.org/calendar.)

In Chicago, Ill., we have partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to co-locate the Engineer and Scientist Career Planning Workshop (CP-18) in a nearby hotel so that the approximately 100 CP-18 attendees from USACE districts, divisions and HQ can take advantage of some of the regional conference events. We also will host the Senior Executive Group, the Fall Board Meeting, and the Fellows Investiture at this conference.

In Jacksonville, Fla., we again will host the Infrastructure Security for the Built Environment (ISBE) Congress in conjunction with a regional conference. This conference was attended by more than 500 people last year in St. Louis, Mo., and this year promises to be another significant event in providing SAME members with the latest information on infrastructure security in both the public and private sectors. And finally, in Kansas City, Mo., we are investigating several partnering opportunities to include specialized training on design-build, construction management, facilities management, or services contracts as part of the conference, in conjunction with other professional associations.

In other SAME news, June 30, 2005, marked the retirement of our colleague, Rear Adm. Erroll M. Brown, USCG. Rear Adm. Brown was the first African-American promoted to the rank of admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard and had a distinguished career that included being a key part of our SAME family. We thank him for his leadership while serving as the Chief Engineer for the Coast Guard during the past two years, and wish him well in his retirement. We also welcome Rear Adm. Dale Gabel, the new Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics for the Coast Guard.

As always, I am excited about the future of SAME, and I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events this fall.

Rear Adm. M.K. Loose, P.E., F.SAME
U.S. Navy, Civil Engineer Corps
SAME President, 2005-2006