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Greater Kansas City Post

SAME Newsletter

Summer Newsletter
June 2013
In This Issue
UMKC SCE students visit USACE labs
Post tours battle site
JEC holds roundtable
Post accepting 2013 nominations
USACE KC District Change of Command Ceremony
Post holds Industry Day
CGSC Social held in April
JETC
UMKC Student Chapter holds meeting
Post by-laws revised
April lunch meeting held with KSPE & MSPE
SAME Arch Practice Committee
Post members attend Solar House Team function
Wounded Warrior Project update
Post to assist with NCEES course
Members receive longevity pins
Post awards scholarships
SAME - CGSC Partnership
Bridging the Gap Between Army & Industry
TME Calendar link
Treasurer's Report
Officers
Committees
Quick Links

 
 

Upcoming Events

 July Luncheon 

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 11

Californo's in Westport 

 

August Luncheon

11 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug. 13

 

Small Business Workshop 

9 a.m.-Noon, Aug. 19

Burns & McDonnell Auditorium  

 

VP Dinner  

 Sept. 18 at the Airline History Museum

 

7th Annual Sporting Clay Challenge

Oct. 3 at Powder Creek Shooting Park

 

Texoma & Missouri River Joint Engineering Training Symposium 

Oct. 9-11 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

 

SAME 2013 Small Business Conference 

Nov. 19-21 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City 

 

Matt Metcalf
Dear Greater Kansas City Post Members:

 

Greetings once again! I hope this update finds each of you well. It's been a very busy -- but rewarding -- few months and I'd like to highlight some key events that you have made memorable for our Post, as well as some future events:


On April 1-2, the Post held its Fifth Annual Industry Day event in conjunction with UMKC. Despite being delayed by back-to-back, major snowstorms the event was a tremendous success. Thanks to all of the Industry Day Committee members, the presenters, the event sponsors, and for all of you who attended the event. We had more than 350 attendees for the event from more than 35 states!

 

The Greater Kansas City Post (GKC Post) was well represented at the Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo (JETC) in San Diego, CA, held on May 21-23. During the conference, the GKC Post received all four streamers with Distinction and was awarded Distinguished Post at the Post Awards Breakfast. We were also pleased to be recognized as part of the Missouri River Region, which was awarded Top Region. Additionally, Kleinfelder was awarded the Society of American Military Engineers 2012 Seymour S. Greenfield Sustaining Member Award for eminent contributions to SAME at the Honors Luncheon.    

 

On June 11, the Post had a field trip to the Battle of Westport Site. More than 25 attendees participated in a walking tour of the battlefield for the last full-scale action of the Civil War in Missouri and west of the Mississippi. This major battle, the largest engagement west of the Mississippi River, marked the climactic end of a decade of war and turbulence along the Missouri and Kansas border.

 

Upcoming Events:

The Greater Kansas City Post has a lot more great events planned for 2013 including monthly luncheons, the Vice President's Dinner, CGSC Engineer Social, Young Member (YM) Events, the Annual Sporting Clays Challenge and the Small Business Workshop. On a Regional level, the GKC Post will be participating in the Texoma and Missouri River Joint Engineer Training Symposium, Oct. 9-11, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Additionally, the SAME 2013 Small Business Conference will be held Nov. 19-21 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo. Please continue to check our website as well as the GKC Post Upcoming Events updates sent weekly via e-mail.  

 

Thanks again for your involvement and dedication to the GKC Post and SAME!

 

Very Respectfully,

Matt Metcalf, PE  
Post President, Greater Kansas City Post

 

Annual Sponsors 2013
 Affinis 
Black & Veatch
Burns & McDonnell
Cabrera Services
Coastal Environmental
Ecology and Environment
HDR
HNTB
J.E. Dunn
Louis Berger Group
Poole Fire Protection
SAIC
Sevenson
SM Wilson
Stantec
Terracon
Wilson & Co 
Yaeger Architects
 
 
 
HDR 
Vicksburg-Group Shot

SCE Students tour USACE Laboratories   

Submitted by the UMKC School of Computer and Engineering 


UMKC's chapters of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and the Missouri Society Vicksburg-Tour of Professional Engineers (MSPE) teamed up this past spring to provide 18 School of Computing and Engineering (SCE) students the opportunity to tour the  United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research Development Center in Vicksburg, Miss.  

 

The expense paid trip allowed the 18 students to tour the center and visit the Lower Mississippi River Museum and participate in the SAME Vicksburg Post luncheon and presentation in late March. Accompanying the students were UKMC Civil Engineer faculty Dr. Ceki Halmen and Dr. Dean Kevin Truman, who serves as the SAME student chapter faculty adviser. GKC SAME, SCE, MSPE Student Chapter, the SCE Student Council, and the SCE Alumni Board provided funding for the trip.  

  Vicksburg-Simulation

The ERDC tour began with a welcome from ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory Director Dr. David Pittman. Dr. Pittman and his team provided SCE students information on careers at USACE and ERDC and encouraged students to investigate the USACE as a career possibility as job opportunities become available.  

 

Students then visited each of the four state-of-the art laboratories open for public touring. Researchers at each laboratory discussed their work, how they conducted their research and shared some of their results. However, researchers shared a limited amount of information because the bulk of the ERDC's research is classified. To gain an idea of the scope and size of the USACE ERDC's work, the public can review the organization's overview fact sheet and media fact sheet about the laboratories.  

 

Highlights of the ERDC tour include the following:

  • Viewing the  1-55 ft model of the McNary Lock and Dam and hearing about the research into lock and dam designs that are able to co-exist with local fish populations
  • Driving a barge in a simulated lock and dam
  • Experiencing and interacting with a simulation of driving a ship in San Francisco bay
  • Visiting the Hazardous Waste Research Center where research into removing lead from soil was described along with research into removing pollutants from sediments
  • Learning how ERDC utilizes an incredibly powerful centrifuge to conduct blast research
  • Viewing 3-D simulations of research data and experiments in the Information Technology Laboratory

The day following the ERDC tour, the students attended the Vicksburg Post's monthly luncheon/presentation. After the luncheon,  Col. Kevin Wilson of ERDC and Col. Jeffrey Eckstein of the USACE Vicksburg District talked with students encouraging them toward excellence in their studies and their careers.

 

The Vicksburg trip is one of several professional trips offered to SCE students. Other trips included the UMKC National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) student chapter members attending the 2013 Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., and the UMKC IEEE Student Chapter members participating in the IEEE Robotics Competition in Denver, Co.

  

Following is the text of a Thank You letter sent to the Post from UMKC:

  

Dear SAME President Metcalf and Board,

 

Please share with the GKC SAME Post members our appreciation for the funding that the GKC SAME Post is providing to our MSPE/NSPE student chapter to help us with our trip to the USACE Engineering Research Development Center in Vicksburg, MS.   The funding you provided has tipped us over into the "all systems go" category and we are very excited about the March 24 - March 27 trip.   Thank you!

 

It is my hope that our two student organizations can continue to cooperate on these sorts of professional development activities.  As indicated in our funding request, we have 10 MSPE/NSPE members (about 1/6 of our members) that are also SAME members.  This number grew by one earlier today as I just sent to Samantha a new student member application.   Of those 10 joint MSPE/NSPE/SAME members, 2 are now signed up for the ERDC trip and several have participated in past field trips.  I expect the ERDC trip to result in even more SAME membership applications and am glad we are able to create this synergy! 

 

An example of this synergy is our connecting today with COL Kevin Wilson at ERDC who is also the President of the SAME Post in Vicksburg.  We are hoping some of our UMKC students can attend the March 26 SAME Vicksburg post luncheon or dinner (we will be done touring ERDC sometime on Tuesday).   If all works out, we may even be able to mingle with the Jackson State University SAME student chapter members while in their neighborhood!   I promise to take lots of pictures for us all. 

 

Again, thank you for "tipping the scale" with the extra boost of funding!  The 18 students and 2 faculty currently signed up for the trip will do our best to represent MSPE/NSPE, SAME and UMKC well as we experience learning about the research some of the greatest minds in our nation are conducting in the interest of protecting and enhancing our lives and our liberty.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Jane Vogl, Assistant to Dean Kevin Z. Truman and Staff Advisor to MSPE/NSPE Student Chapter

University of Missouri-Kansas City

School of Computing and Engineering

 

SAIC
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BMcD
GKC Post takes field trip to the Battle of Westport Site
By Matt Metcalf, P.E., SAME GKC Post President  
The GKC Post had a field trip on June 11 to the Battle of Westport Site hosted by Daniel L.
Dan Smith (far right) briefing the group at Byram's Ford.
Smith. More than 20 attendees participated in a walking tour of the battlefield for the last full-scale action of the Civil War in Missouri and west of the Mississippi. This major battle, the largest engagement west of the Mississippi River, marked the climactic end of a decade of war and turbulence along the Missouri and Kansas border.

The field trip began at the Visitor Center which overlooks the Big Blue River valley and the nearby historic Byram's Ford crossing.  The vista from the center sweeps across the fields to the river where war raged nearly 150 years ago.   From the tower of the center, the group was able to see the panoramic view where Union General Samuel Curtis constructed a defensive line stretching for 10 miles along the banks of the Big Blue River.  The group then caravanned to view Bloody Hill and Byram's Ford crossing. Following the trip, the GKC Post made a $250 contribution to the Monnett Battle of Westport Fund.

Black & Veatch ad
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Alysen Abel, JEC President, facilitated roundtable discussion.
JEC hosts roundtable discussion in April

By Matt Metcalf, P.E., SAME GKC Post President 

     

The Joint Engineering Council (JEC) of Kansas City held a roundtable discussion at the Burns & McDonnell offices on April 22. Rich McCollum and Matt Metcalf represented the GKC Post at the meeting. With more than 20 attendees, the group discussed best management practices and lessons learned for attaining new members, retaining existing members, offering meaningful programs, event venues, communications, scholarships and mentoring funds and community service events.

 

The JEC of Kansas City's mission is to promote the advancement and prestige of the engineering profession by encouraging cooperation among local engineering technical societies and assisting them in the pursuit of their goals and is comprised of 23 engineering organizations in the area.

Cabrera
 
GKC Post accepting 2014 Post nominations
From the GKC Post

The GKC Post Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the 2014 slate.  Please email your recommendations by 15 July 2013 to Post Secretary, Amy Lines, at [email protected].  Open positions include:
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Three elected directors
2013 Coastal Ad 
  
  

USACE Kansas City District Change of Command Ceremony 

By Larry Myers 

  

 Brigadier General Anthony C. Funkhouser requests the honor of your presence at the Change of Command between Colonel Anthony J. Hofmann (outgoing) and Colonel Andrew D. Sexton (incoming) on Friday, the nineteenth day of July, Two Thousand and Thirteen at ten in the morning.  Ceremony will be at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri. 

 

RSVP Online by 12 July 2013.  POC: Deborah Taylor / [email protected] 816.389.3202

 

Military: Duty 

Civilian: Business Casual  

Hanson
 
 

Industry Day 

GKC Post's Fifth Annual Industry Day a Success 

By Melissa Kelley

 

Due to inclement weather, the Greater Kansas City Post rescheduled the 5th Annual Industry Day to April 1-3, 2013. Even in light of the turbulent changes, the event was well attended with over 200 hundred people from the A/E/C community around the country.

The event kicked off with a social event in the exhibit hall on the night of the 1st, a full program the next day offering Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Federal Program Briefings. That evening, there was a social networking event at the SeaLife Aquarium in Crown Center where attendees could network and enjoy appetizers, cocktails and aquatic exhibits.

The event also featured One-on-One meetings on April 3 at the Bolling Federal Building. The meetings included the Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District Contracting Officers and Program Managers from each of the district's three program areas: Military, Civil Works, and Environmental as well as representatives other Federal agencies. 

 2013 Industry Day
SM Wilson
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Sevenson
 
 
Save the Dates!

 

GKC Post to present Small Business Workshop

SAME will be presenting a half-day workshop for small business owners from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 19 in the Burns & McDonnell Auditorium.  Please mark your calendar for a chance to join us for a chance to network and to attend the seminar specifically designed for small business owners.  More information will be available soon.

 

2013 Greater KC Post VP Dinner  
This year's VP Dinner will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Airline History Museum.  More details to come.

2013 Greater KC Post's 7th Annual Sporting Clays Challenge 
The event will be held on Oct. 3 at Powder Creek Shooting Park. Registration, which begins at 2 p.m., will be limited to 12 5-person teams. More info including registration information will be out in late August.
 
2013 Texoma/Missouri River Regional Joint Engineer Training Symposium 
Registration is now open for the 2013 Texoma/MO River Regional event.  This year's Regional will be held Wednesday, October 09 through Friday, October 11 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
2013 Louis Berger 
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Poole
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GKC Post hosts CGSC Social in April 

By Al Osborne, P.E.   
  
Attendees of the social enjoyed a meal at JW Crancer's in Leavenworth. 

 Al Osborne, Merrill Watt and Bill Yord attended the National SAME - Joint Engineer Operations Course (JEOC) Reception and Dinner on April 17 in Leavenworth, KS at JW Crancer's.  Nick Desport from SAME National spoke to the CGSC students about the benefits of SAME membership throughout their careers and Stoney Cox from Versar discussed mentorship and the advantages of finding the right mentor.  The event provided a great opportunity to inform the Command and General Staff College students of how the Greater Kansas City post can assist them while assigned to the college.

HNTB 2011 ad
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Wilson
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2013 Joint Engineering and Training Conference (JETC) 
By Melissa Kelly

The Greater Kansas City Post was very well represented again this year at the SAME Joint Engineering and Training Conference. This year the event was held in San Diego, California on 21-24 May, 2013. The first day of the conference featured a Young Member, NCO and Fellows event on the USS Midway, followed by an Ice Breaker for the full membership. The event was very well attended and included official tours of the ship, as well as an unofficial tour provided by GKC Post Treasurer, Al Osborne.

 

There were many events at JETC attend by members of the GKC Post. Along with the dozens of break-out sessions geared towards Professional Development and Continuing Education, there were many other events including the Society Ball. Additionally, there was a Post Awards Breakfast where the Greater Kansas City Post was awarded its Streamers and recognized for Distinguished Post, which was accepted by Matt Metcalf, Post President.

CDM
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Yaeger Architecture 
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Ann Ewy and Matt Metcalf presenting at UMKC.

Ann Ewy and Matt Metcalf presenting at UMKC.

 

UMKC Student Chapter holds Spring Meeting

By Matt Metcalf, P.E. 

 

The Spring Semester University of Missouri-Kansas City Student Chapter meeting was held on April 25.  It was hosted by Student Chapter President Samantha Baker and was attended by over 15 students.   Ann Ewy and Matt Metcalf gave a presentation that covered SAME History, value of SAME Membership, discussed the differences between public and private sector career paths, provided interview tips, discussed networking, and gave an overview of what to expect as a new graduate.

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GKC Post to vote on revised by-laws 

From the GKC Post   

 

The GKC Post is wrapping up the revision and approval process for its by-laws.  These will be voted on at the July 11 Luncheon. The by-laws can be found here and also on the GKC Post web site. Changes to the by-laws were made to more accurately reflect how the GKCP operates as well as to bring the By-laws inline with the HQ SAME Post By-laws Template.  A big thank you to Dave Howe, Merrill Watt, and Ann Ewy for carrying out this important process for our Post!


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GKC Post holds April Luncheon in conjunction with KSPE & MSPE
From the GKC Post

The GKC Post held its April Lunch Meeting with members of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers and the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers on April 18 at the Plaza III Steakhouse.

The event provided the opportunity for the organizations to learn about the Geeks vs Geeks -- 2013 Robotics Challenge from LEARN Science & Math Club President Rebecca Kidwell and hear a presentation entitled "Infrastructure and Initiatives Update from the Port Authority of Kansas City", which was presented by Joe Perry, who is the Director of Real Estate and Trade Development for the Port Authority of Kansas City.  

More information about the LEARN Science & Math Club can be found here. More information about the Port Authority of Kansas City can be found here.
 

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tri state
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SAME Architectural Practice Committee to hold meeting in July  

By Matt Turner, PMP, LEED AP BD+C

  

The SAME Architectural Practice Committee is slated to hold its next quarterly call in July.
J.J. Tang 
The GKC post will provide information on how to join the call when it becomes available and additional information about the committee is available online on the SAME site.

The SAME Executive Committee approved the establishment of the new Architectural Practice Committee, effective Nov. 16, 2012.  The intent of this committee is to promote architectural practice within SAME, broaden the organization's exposure in the architectural community, and recruit more architects, along with expanding networking and mentoring opportunities.

 

The committee is chaired by Junjian "J.J." Tang, AIA, LEED AP. Tang is the lead architect and designer for HDR Architecture's Federal Group. The committee holds quarterly teleconference meetings focused on the betterment of SAME's architectural community.  Typical agendas include committee focus area initiatives update, 1 AIA LU/HSW credited presentation, and open discussion of participants.


mark one
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stinson
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New Members
SAME GKC Post welcomes the following new members.
  • Justin Apprill, US Engineering 
  • Andrea Cekovsky, Greenhorne & O'Mara 
  • Bob Dotson, Health Facilities Group, LLC 
  • Kate Finley, Conti Corporation 
  • Bruce Jackson, Asset Group 
  • Chris Johnson, Leo Daly 
  • Ken Kreisch, Siemens Industries, Inc. 
  • Steve Lewallen, Health Facilities Group, LLC
  • LTC Brian S. Manus, Mission Command Training Program 
  • Fred Molloy, URS Corporation
  • COL. John M. Moore
  • Daniel E. Nelson, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron  
  • Jason Oldham, MW Builders  
  • Carolyn J. Pearson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Jodie Peotter, P.G., ECCS Nationwide Mobile Laboratories 
  • COL Vernie L. Reichling, Jr.
  • Joe Riedel, Aerotek Government Services
  • Steve Roberts, Continental Mapping Consultants 
  • Jamie Romanovskiy, Conti Corporation  
  • Ryan P. Stobaugh
  • MAJ Carl Stratton 
  • Jamie Suing, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.  
  • Danny VanDoren, Farris Engineering 

professional engineers
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walsh
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GKC Post members attend Missouri S&T Solar House Team function  

By Matt Metcalf, P.E., SAME GKC Post President  

  

 Larry Myers and Matt Metcalf represented the Greater Kansas City Post at a reception for the Missouri S&T Solar House Team at Union Station on January 29 that was hosted by Missouri

Chameleon House, 2013 Missouri S&T Solar House

S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader and sponsored by
KCP&L, Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Mid-America Regional Council and the Kansas City Chamber.

The Missouri S&T Solar House Team is a student design team that seeks to advance the University, community and environment through focused research, public education and sustainable design. The team has more than 60 undergraduate members who work tirelessly to design and construct a 100% solar-powered home. The team utilizes a multidisciplinary team of faculty advisers to assist throughout the process. The U.S. Department of Energy partially funds the project in the form of grants but the bulk of the fundraising is carried out by the students. With a project budget well in excess of $500,000, soliciting donations of all sizes from a blend of large corporation and generous individuals is crucial to the success of the team.

 

The Missouri S&T Solar House Team competes annually in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.   US DOE invites twenty teams to design and build energy-efficient solar-powered homes to compete in ten contests that judge their functionality, livability, and aesthetic appeal. The aim of the contest is to successfully design and build a home entirely powered by solar energy. Universities from around the world submit proposals with the hope of being accepted into the competition. If accepted, the competing team transports their home to the Solar Decathlon, which in the past has been at the National Mall in Washington D.C., although for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013, the contest will take place at Orange County Park in Irvine, CA.

 


Ecology & Environment 
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Affinis 
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GKC Post continues to support Wounded Warrior Project
By Matt Metcalf, P.E., SAME GKC Post President

The Greater Kansas City Post recently convened an ad-hoc committee to help the Post further support the Wounded Warrior initiative.   The committee will be led by Mark Loes from Wounded Warrior logo Kleinfelder. The goal of the program is to:
  • To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
  • To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
  • To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

Mr. Loes will be working with the committee to identify short term and long term goals, identify how the Post can offer support to the program, and to align these items with Sally Sowell, outreach branch manager, ACS, at Fort Riley.

 

If you are interested in serving on the Wounded Warrior Committee, please contact Mark Loes at 913.647.5022 or via email at [email protected].

 


 
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GKC Post plans to assist with NCEES course
By Jason Meyers, P.E.

The GKC Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) takes an active role in promoting professional registration to all members of the Kansas City area engineering community. In previous years, this has included offering and conducting group study sessions for Post members taking the NCEES Professional Course Exam.

 

This program was used successfully by more than 150 individuals and the Post also proudly included many students from the Command General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. While this was a beneficial program, the Post believed that a live course taught by university professors and expert working engineers would be even more effective.

 

In 2010, the Post and other local professional engineering organizations helped sponsor a live PE Exam Review Course presented by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Computing and Engineering. This was the first live PE Exam Review course offered in the metropolitan area in a number of years. The response, measured by the number of participants and their positive feedback, speaks to the effectiveness of live instruction and to the value of this course.

 

The course will be offered again in September 2013 and the Greater Kansas City Post is sponsoring a limited number of tuition reduction scholarships to existing or new members. For new members, involvement in SAME committees in encouraged and attendance to at least one SAME event in the next year is required.

 

If you have additional questions, please contact Jason Meyers by email or by phone  at 816.349.6814. Please indicate if you are a current member of the GKC Post.

 

  
 
2013 Stanley  
 
  

GKC Post members receive longevity pins   

From the GKC Post 
  

The SAME GKC Post congratulates the following members on receiving their SAME Longevity Pins and thank them for their dedication to the Post.

  • LT Allen Ewell - 25 Years Join Date - 1/1/87
  • Phil Dula - 15 years, Join Date - 7/1/99
  • Jackie Hacker 10 years, Join Date - 4/19/02 

If you are a member of SAME and qualify for a Membership Year Pin, please email Amy Lines.  Pins are available for 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 year membership anniversaries.


  
  

GKC Post Award Scholarships  

Matt Metcalf, P.E., SAME GKC Post President 

 

The SAME GKC Post Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the award of four $1000 college undergraduate scholarships to the following recipients: 

  • Sean Micheal, Junior, Civil Engineering, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)
  • Carolyn Pearson, Graduate Student, Civil Engineering, UMKC
  • John Herrman, Graduate Student, Engineering Management, University of Kansas
  • Samantha Baker, Senior, Mechanical Engineering, UMKC
Congratulations!  Look for future announcements for next year's scholarships in December. 
2013 Bay West ad   
  
SAME and CGSC continue to grow partnership through Industry Internship Program
By Sara Dinkel

Black & Veatch's Federal Services Division was selected as one of two local companies to help development and implement an Industry Internship Program as 

MAJ Selina Herndon with Black & Veatch's Steve Mitts and LTC Kevin R. Casey, CGSC Faculty Member

 

 

part of the curriculum offered to Army Engineers Major at Fort Leavenworth's Command and General Staff College (CGSC). This initiative was in partnership with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) - Greater Kansas City (GKC) Post to develop and improve upon ties among the military, academia and industry. Offered as an elective course, select CGSC students were given the opportunity to work with Black & Veatch professionals to study and prepare for future senior Engineer leadership positions within the United States Army.

 

 

"One of the reasons I believe Black & Veatch was chosen, and helped make the pilot course a success, was introducing our interns to the practical application of our project management system and how it brings real benefit to our clients,  

MAJ Jared Runge with Black & Veatch's Steve Mitts and LTC Kevin R. Casey, CGSC Faculty Member
including USACE. Because the interns were in the process of acquiring their PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, this experience demonstrated how the process works in real-life, "cradle to grave" said Steve Mitts, Chief of Technical Development with Black & Veatch. "As a pillar in the Kansas City Engineering and business community, we were honored to be given the opportunity to pay if forward and host the interns in our offices."

 

 

MAJ Jared Runge and MAJ Selina Herndon were chosen to spent time in Black & Veatch's offices this spring semester, before receiving their post collegiate orders. MAJ Runge will be departing for a Director of Public Works assignment in Italy while MAJ Herndon will report to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan. 

2013 Lab Data   
  

Bridging the Gap between Army and Industry 

By Maj. Jason Legro, Army Engineer

  

Note: Maj. Jason Legro recently participated in the CGSC-Industry Pilot Program through the GKC Post. The following is an account of his experience through the program.  

 

As a Command and General Staff College, (CGSC) student in class 13-01, I had the opportunity to train with industry while stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Three engineer officers were selected to participate in a pilot program which allowed us to tell our story to civilian engineers and for them to show us aspects of how their company operates. The idea for this partnership was first cultivated during a local Society of American Military Engineer meeting. LTC Kevin Casey is part of the Department of Tactics at the CGSC and organized this project. I was selected to collaborate with JE Dunn Construction. This is my after action report and it is centered on key people and their responsibilities.

 

JE Dunn is the 10th largest general building contractor in the Unites States and has 20 offices in 14 states. They were the general contractor for the Lewis and Clark Center on Fort Leavenworth were all CGSC students attend classes. In 2012, they earned $2.3 billion in revenue.

 

In order to earn an elective credit for CGSC I met with Brent Ferguson, a senior project manager at JE Dunn, on several occasions. He developed a schedule were I would learn about JE Dunn and in turn, he and other employees would learn about the Army. Mr. Ferguson introduced me to aspects of their company by setting up meetings with leads from various departments. These topics included risk management, building information modeling, sustainability, quality control, marketing, training, information technology, operations and site visits to current projects on post.

 

 Adam Denno is a senior data and risk analyst who does not consider risk from an accident prevention viewpoint, but from a financial perspective. Mr. Denno investigates the financials of subcontractors, owners and suppliers in order to assess their financial health. By studying financial records and insurance ratings he can better understand if a subcontractor, client, or supplier will be able to meet contract requirements. He also studies both national and regional economic trends and uses analysis to better understand and compare business opportunities. We discussed the Army's composite risk management process and he noted that the process is similar, yet the application is different.

 

Trent Nichols is a regional Building Information Modeling (BIM) director at JE Dunn and he integrates the BIM process into the business's operations. BIM creates a three-dimensional model of a facility prior to construction. It also creates saves costs and shortens the length of the project by identifying constructability challenges during the design phase rather than during construction. This technology is most beneficial in preventing rework in mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

 

Jenny Bloomfield Sciara is the manager of sustainable construction at JE Dunn. JE Dunn promotes green building and recycling construction waste, waste management and even calculates carbon footprint reductions. JE Dunn built its new home office building in Kansas City, MO as a way to showcase the company's work to clients. For, its building meeting strict requirements, JE Dunn was awarded a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold rating by the United States Green Building Council.

 

Joel Pasley is the Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) director at JE Dunn. Most JE Dunn construction projects will have a full time, on site, QC manager and will also have QA managers who oversee multiple projects. All structural designed projects at JE Dunn undergo a peer review. A professional engineer, from an outside agency, will review plans and specifications as a means of validating the safety of a project's design.

 

Margaret Bowker is the director of marketing at JE Dunn. She has 26 people in her department who work directly for her. Their job is to bring clients into the door. The Midwest office of JE Dunn earned $1.3 billion last year and every week they sell approximately $55 million of construction. Her department looks for opportunities 18-24 months into the future with the goal of having continuous revenue streams. The company's marketing plan is similar to a division commander's annual training guidance. JE Dunn's division heads feel ownership with the marketing plan because they help create it. The marketing department creates files on all potential clients and track hobbies, interests, vehicles owned, even the colors they like and dislike. They match up people from JE Dunn who share like interests with the potential client because ultimately the deals are closed on personality and likeability.    

 

Pattie Whitmer leads JE Dunn's training division. Like the Army, JE Dunn invests in training and continuing education for their employees. Their multi-day orientation course for new hires is offered four times a year. Likewise they have basic and advanced courses for both project managers and superintendents.   There are senior level classes as well for those who show potential to become directors. All training is taught in-house by certified trainers. I shared with Mrs. Whitmer the Army's 8-Step Training Model and described our process of officer and enlisted education. She commented that she wished they could dedicate that much time for training. JE Dunn places importance on training and if an individual is selected to attend training he or she must attend. Some supervisors can be reluctant and want the individual to attend a meeting that conflicts with scheduled training. In order for the training to be missed the president of the company would provide the direct supervisor a letter - something that rarely happens.

 

Patrick Miller oversees the development section of JE Dunn's Information Technology (IT) department. JE Dunn excels at information management using an integrated accounting and project management system. They are able to sign and submit time cards, approve or deny and comment on submittals, and access virtually all files from their portal website from their smart phones. This capability saves countless hours and makes work more efficient. It would be great if we could sign evaluations and awards from our smart phones using a plug in device to read a CAC card.

 

     Mr. Ferguson spoke to me in detail about operations and how he sees his role a senior project manager at JE Dunn. He emphasized the importance of communication skills, managing both people who and who do not report to him, and most importantly building relationships. As a future S3/XO, I understand the importance of building relationships with peers, superiors, and those at both higher and subordinate headquarters.

 

I visited several current project sites on Fort Leavenworth with Mr. Ferguson. We visited to Judge Advocate General (JAG) renovation projects. These renovations were unique because both are historic buildings. One of these projects consisted of drilling 40 geothermal wells in order to reduce costs associated with heating and cooling the building. The second building required structural work. Much of the basement of the building was excavated by hand because the area was not accessible with modern excavation equipment. A conveyor system was assembled in order to assist with removing excavated material. I found that many creative engineering solutions were required on this project site.

 

We also visited the CARL Library and Eisenhower Hall renovation project. I learned that a major component of this project was cataloguing all of the library books, moving them to a storage location, and then returning the books to the library shelves. JE Dunn hired a library cataloguer to complete this work. The client was not pleased with the performance of the library cataloger contractor because they felt the books were not cared for enough. JE Dunn terminated the contract with the contractor for convenience once all the books were in storage. JE Dunn then used internal manpower to return and reshelf the entire library catalogue. I liked how the renovated shelves had motion activated track lighting.

 

I attended a weekly coordination meeting for the JAG renovation projects. Donny Tennyson, a project manager, chaired the meeting for JE Dunn and his construction superintendent was present. Two members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were present along with a post representative. The meeting went smoothly because Mr. Tennyson prepared a detailed agenda, construction calendar, and updated request for information spreadsheets. I noted the importance of having both a set agenda and involved individuals to know their roles and responsibilities. One topic discussed was weather delays and it can impact both renovation projects and military operations.

 

My time spent training with industry with JE Dunn Construction was my most worthwhile time at CGSC. As an engineer I loved visiting the construction sites and seeing ongoing construction. I enjoyed learning about some of the challenges industry works through and methods that make them more efficient. Lastly I cherished sharing my experiences and bridging the gap between industry and the Army. 
2013 Stantec
  

TME Editorial Calendar

 

 The editorial calendar for The Military Engineer (TME) can be found here. Each issue has a main theme and a special report. Deadlines for content also are included.

Kleinfelder Ad 

Treasurer's Report

 

January-May 2013

Total Income:                        $124,876.11                                           

Total Expenses:                     $  69,050.80

Net Income:                          $  55,825.31               

 

   

 

 

 


officers
  

President                             Matt Metcalf, Tepa, LLC

Vice President                      Ann Ewy, USACE

Secretary                            Amy Lines, Kleinfelder

Treasurer                            Al Osborne, Tepa, LLC

Immediate Past President       COL Anthony Hofmann, USACE

 

Board of Directors

Steve Iverson, USACE

Rex Ostrander, USACE

Matt Turner, Yaeger Architecture

Bill Yord, Louis Berger

Garrett Cross, Lochner

Brent Ferguson, JE Dunn

Rich McCollum, HDR

Jason Meyers, Burns & McDonnell

Melissa Kelley, SKW, Inc. 

 

   

 

Audit

Rob Rastorfer

Education & Mentoring

Bill Yord

College Outreach

Neeli Langdon

PE Refresher Course

Jason Meyers

Scholarships

Bill Yord

K-12 Outreach

Rob Rastorfer

Membership

Jackie Hacker

Nominating

Chris Prinslow

Programs

Clif Rope

Small Business

Amy McCurdy

Strategic Planning

Ann Ewy

Young Members Co-Chair

Melissa Kelley

Young Members Co-Chair

Kyle Marlay

Assistant Treasurer

Garrett Cross

Awards

Melissa Kelley

Communications

Jason Sweet

Council of Fellows

Jerry Adams

E&M Endowment

Jerry Adams

Fort Riley Field Chapter

Rex Ostrander

Whiteman AFB Field Chapter

Christopher Prinslow

Historian

Jason Meyers

Joint Engineering Council (JEC)

Rich McCollum

 
 
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Sustaining Members

5H Technologies � AECOM � Affinis Corp. � AMEC � ARCADIS/Malcolm Pirnie � Argus Consulting Arrowhead Contracting, Inc. � ASSET Group � Barr Engineering Co. � Bay West, Inc. � Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc. � Bibb Engineers  � Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. � BMK Corporation, Inc. � Brown and Caldwell  � Burns & McDonnell � Cabrera Services, Inc. � CAPE � CB&I � CDM Smith � CH2MHILL � Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. � Coastal Environmental Group, Inc. � CORE Contruction Services � CTI and Associates, Inc. � Cyntergy AEC � EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. � Eaton Corporation � ECC � ECO Constructors LLC � Ecology & Environment, Inc. � EMR, Inc. � Family Environmental Compliance Services � GBA Architects and Engineers � GLMV Architecture, Inc. � Greenhorne & O'Mara � Greenleaf Construction Co., Inc. � H.W. Lochner, Inc. � Hanson Professional Service Inc. � HDR � Health Facilities Group, LLC  � HMN Architects �  Horner & Shifrin Inc. � HydroGeoLogic Inc. � JE Dunn Construction � Kaw Valley Engineering � Kennedy/Jenks Consultants � Kleinfelder � LEO A DALY � LMG Construction Services LLC � Los Alamos Technical Associates, Inc. (LATA) � LRS Federal LLC � Mark One Electric Co., Inc. � Mason & Hanger � Massman Construction Co. � McTech Corporation � ME Group, Inc. � Mead & Hunt, Inc. � Micah Group Energy & Environmental � Midland Surveying, Inc. � MW Builders � Parsons � Patti Banks Associates dba Vireo � Poole Fire Protection, Inc. � Professional Environmental Engineers Inc. � Professional Services Industries, Inc. � Remediation Services, Inc. � Rialto Building Rosemann & Assoc. PC � S.M. Wilson & Co �  Science Applications International Corp. � SCS Engineers � Sealaska Constructors � SEH � Seneca Companies, Inc. � Sevenson Environmental Services Inc. � Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc. � SHE � Siemens Industries, Inc. � Smith Seckman Reid Inc. � Spica Consulting � Stanley Consultants Inc. � Stantec, Inc. � Strategic Value Solutions, Inc. � Tepa, LLC � Terracon Consultants, Inc. � TerranearPMC, LLC � Tetra Tech, Inc. � The Louis Berger Group, Inc. � The S.M. Stoller Corporation � The Walsh Group  � Tidewater, Inc. � TMG Services Inc. � Tompkins Architects � TranSystems � URS Corporation � Wilson & Company, Inc. � Woolpert, Inc. � Yaeger Architecture