The Society of American Military Engineers
New York City Post
The Year In Review – September 2006- August 2007
Meetings and Programs
At the close of our 2006-2007 season, the New York City Post was close to formalizing a warm welcome to our SAME members from the West Point Post and of the creation of the West Point Student Chapter of the New York City Post. By the time you have read this, all of the formalities will have been concluded and our West Point friends will be members of our Post – to all of them, a warm welcome!
The Post again participated in a “Mentoring Program” with Polytechnic University of New York. On September 13th, 2006, senior engineers from the Post attended a kickoff with engineering and sciences students at Poly. Following the kickoff, senior engineers were paired with a Polytechnic student for a six to twelve month period.
The Post’s first Regular Evening Meeting on Wednesday, October 4th, 2006 featured a Panel Discussion on “Catastrophic Disaster Planning for New York City - The Federal Perspective.” The panel included Mr. Ed Hecker, Chief of the Homeland Security Office at Headquarters US Army Corps of Engineers and Mr. Steve Kempf, Regional Administratior of FEMA Region 2 – based here in New York City. The Harvard Club remained the popular venue for this meeting as well as the remaining evening meetings in 2006 and 2007.
A Technical Session by our Environmental Affairs and Technologies Advancement Committee took place on Friday, October 27th, 2006 at the offices of the New York City Office of Emergency Management. The topic was “Sustainable Energy and Electrical Protection.”
Saturday evening, November 4th, 2006 brought the always anticipated Post event of the year – the 66th Annual Dinner Dance for the benefit of the NYC Post, SAME Scholarship Fund. We again saw well over 600 guests, spilling into the balconies as we again honored the Military Service Chiefs and many of our Scholarship Recipients.
On Thursday, November 9th, 2006, the Environmental Affairs and Technologies Advancement Committee co-sponsored the first in a series of “Green” events at the Meadowlands Environmental Center, Hackensack, NJ. LEED Certification Training was the topic for this meeting, held in partnership with the NJ Chapter of the US Green Buildings Council (NJ-USGBC).
On Wednesday, November 15th, the Environmental Affairs and Technologies Advancement Committee, in cooperation with NJ-USGBC, visited the BASF Near Zero House in Patterson, NJ.
The Post again co-sponsored, with our sister New Jersey Post, the annual “Federal Contract Opportunities Workshop” on Thursday, November 16th, 2006 at the Doubletree Newark-Liberty Airport Hotel. As in past years, goods were collected for the “support the troops” program and later distributed to troops and personnel serving in Iraq.
Our Environmental Affairs and Technologies Advancement Committee was at it again on Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 with a visit to the Radburn area of Fairlawn, NJ. Suzanne DiGeronimo, FAIA, conducted a guided tour of this unique community, offering comments from the perspective of Sustainable Development.
On Tuesday, January 16th, 2007, the Readiness and Homeland Security Committee, in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division and Huntsville Engineering Center, held a lecture on “The Psychology of Terrorism and How Does Terrorism End.” The guest speaker was Dr. James Jacob, Professor of Political Science and International relations, California State University.
The Environmental Affairs and Technologies Advancement Committee, with NJ-USGBC, held a “Green Technology Breakfast,” on Wednesday, January 17th, 2007, featuring the 3 new tracks of LEED: NC, EB, & CI, and why you should become LEED certified. The Guest Speaker was Ann Bowles, of USGBC. The event was held at the Meadowlands Environmental Center. Another in the series was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.with Bill Amann, M&E Engineering, and member of the USGBC-NJ Board. The topic was “LEED New Construction--Optimize Energy Performance.”
The Post held a Regular Evening Meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. The Guest Speaker was Colonel Aniello “Nello” Tortora, Commander and District Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. Colonel Tortora briefed the Corps’ program.
Yet another in the Green Breakfast series was held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Guests included Bill Lashbrook, PNC Bank, who discussed, “Build Green, Everyone Profits--what does that really mean?” Bill Amann of M&E Engineering discussed, “LEED New Construction--Optimize Energy Performance.” The April 18, 2007 Green Breakfast series featured Ed Clerico, of the USGBC-NJ Chapter, who discussed “Water Efficiency and Reuse--and LEED.”
The SAME/AEA Dinner and Reception took place on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at West Point.
The Post held a Regular Evening Meeting on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at the Harvard Club. Our Guest Speaker was Cosema Crawford of MTA New York City Transit.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 saw another Green Breakfast series, with Jennifer Henry of USGBC, who discussed, “LEED for Neighborhood Development in NJ.”
The Post held its Annual Elections Meeting on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the Harvard Club. The Guest Speaker was Arthur D. Silber, Chief “THE Tunnel Project, NJ TRANSIT.” The Post elected the 2007-2008 Officers and Directors.
The Post teamed up with our Sister New Jersey Post on Thursday, June 7, 2007 to hold the first Joint Golfing Event at Picatinny Arsenal.
The Post again co-hosted the popular Harbor Inspection, with our sister NJ Post and the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, on June 15th, 2007, aboard the Corps vessel Hayward.
And, finally, a very busy year concluded with another Green Building meeting at the Meadowlands Environmental Center. The Guest Speaker was Athena Sarafides of NJDEP and USGBC-NJ Chapter. The topic was, “Local Government's Role in Fostering Green Building..”
Young Members Committee
Since its inception in 1988, the Young Member Committee (YMC) has organized an array of activities, including professional development seminars, technical presentations, fund raising, and participation in regional and national SAME conferences.
Committee members continue to develop their professional skills by sponsoring and organizing special meetings and activities, many in partnership with sister organizations. Chris Ragnauth continued as Chairman of this Committee.
NYC Post – An 87 – Year Tradition of Excellence
The venerable New York City Post of the Society of American Military Engineers, along with the National Society, celebrates its 87th year in 2007. The Post advances SAME’s objectives by promoting unity and excellence among civilian and military professionals and future professionals – in engineering and related fields – throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Strength and Leadership and Networking Opportunities
Since its formation on October 4th, 1920 the New York City Post has been chaired by outstanding leaders in both the military and civilian arms of the engineering and architectural professions. Attracting professionals at all levels, it continues as one of the few organizations in the country in which principals of major firms and military/ government executives have an opportunity, on a continuing basis, to network with one another and exchange important ideas and developments.
At its full schedule of meetings, the New York City Post has continually hosted nationally and internationally renowned guest speakers who have shared their expertise and interest in national defense and homeland security, the advancement of engineering knowledge, and the science of military engineering. These skills have positively influenced much more than the military community – these technologies have carried over to a wide range of projects designed to serve our Nation’s general population.
An Active Membership Focus
Traditionally, the New York City Post has avidly pursued and encouraged professionals in engineering, architecture, and construction, to become active members of the organization. In recent years, the Post has expanded its membership to include contractors, environmental professionals, lawyers, insurers, and marketing and media professionals who specialize in SAME-related activities. Our ongoing efforts to present technical topics of pertinence to today’s engineers, as well as the availability of Continuing Education Credits to those who attend make the Post even more relevant to those who wish to remain up to date in the field of engineering.
An Unparalleled Scholarship Program
To inspire students to pursue engineering careers and to begin an early association with SAME, the New York City Post sponsors an extraordinarily successful scholarship program (described in detail within this report). It also supports adjacent student SAME Posts by regularly informing them of activities, and encouraging their participation in Post activities.
Compliance with SAME Financial Guidelines
The New York City Post of SAME and its Scholarship Fund comply with all of SAME’s national financial guidelines. Each year, the finances of both entities undergo independent audits and both have consistently demonstrated sound financial practices.
Readiness and Homeland Security Committee
The Readiness Committee continued to maintain a close liaison with the Corps of Engineers Emergency Operations Center and the New York City Office of Emergency Management. In the event of a disaster, SAME and the Corps would work together to bring to bear needed resources to the disaster area. Through the efforts of Lt. Col. Robert Adamski, USA (Ret) and incoming Chairman, Lt. Col. Joseph Porrovecchio, USAR (Ret) (who took over as Col. Adamski took over the National Readiness and Homeland Security Committee), the Post has begun to move from a traditional Readiness Plan to an increasingly more collaborative relationship with Federal, State, and Local governments and Agencies.
Awards
The Post received the National Education and Training Streamer, the National Security Streamer (with Distinction), and the Relationship and Recognition Streamer.
2007-2008 (Current) NYC Post Board of Direction
OFFICERS
President
Colonel Nello Tortora, USA
Vice President (Mil)
Lieutenant Colonel Leonard J. Law, USA
Vice President (Civ)
Vincent Mangiere
Jr. Vice President
Chris Ragnauth
Secretary
Michael Scarano
Treasurer
James N. Parks
Assistant Secretary
Richard V. Cicchetti
Assistant Treasurer
Eileen F. Schulman
DIRECTORS
Lt. Col. Robert Adamski, USAR (Ret) (2006 - 2009)
Rick Alvarez (2007 - 2010)
Tom Anderson (2007-2010)
Albert Bast (2006 - 2009)
Howard Chynsky (2005 - 2008)
Judith DeScenza Cooper (2007 - 2010)*
Pat DeFillippo (2006-2009)
Michael Della Rocca (2005 - 2008)
John Dionisio (2006-2009)
Robert Hoffman (2007-2010)
Greg Kelly (2005 - 2008)
Francis J. Lombardi (2005 - 2008)*
Sal Mancini (2006-2009)
Col. Joe Manous, USA (2007-2010)
Joan McDonald (2005 - 2008)
Mysore Nagaraja (2005 - 2008)
Col. John B. O'Dowd, USA (2005 - 2008)*
Col. Richard J. Polo, USA (2006-2009)*
Harvey S. Sands (2006 - 2009)*
Judy Schriener (2006-2009)
Edward Schmeltz (2006-2009)
John F. Spencer (2007 - 2010)
Angelo Tomasetti (2006 - 2009)
Luis Tormenta (2007-2010)
* Past Post President
LEGAL ADVISOR
Robert A. Rubin
SPECIAL ADVISORS
Frank Arland
Leo Field
Col. F. H. Griffis*
Keith Itzler
Nick Ivanoff
Michael J. Kaleda
Martin H. Kendall
Maher Labib
Hugh Lacy
Howard Mager
Greg Matthews
Jay McGraw
Achille Niro
Lt. Col. Joseph Porrovecchio, USAR (Ret)
Stuart Piken
Joseph Puzio
Milo Riverso
Thomas Schoettle
Dominick Servedio*
Allan M. Shapiro*
Phil Simmons
Jan Tuchman
Lt. Col. Edward B. Wenners, USA (Ret)
* Past Post President
THE NYC POST SAME
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
President
Col F. H. Griffis, USA (Ret)
Vice President
Judith DeScenza Cooper
Secretary-Treasurer
Lt. Col. Edward B. Wenners, USA (Ret)
Ass’t Secretary-Treasurer
Michael Scarano
STANDING COMMITTEES
Awards Committee
Michael J. Kaleda, Chairman
Dinner-Dance Committee
Vincent Mangiere, Chairman
Education and Mentoring Committee
Chris Ragnauth, Chairman
Environmental Affairs and Technology Advancement Committee
Lt. Col. Joseph Porrovecchio, USAR (Ret) Chairman
Meetings and Programs Committee
Lt. Col. Leonard J. Law, USA
Membership Committee
Albert Bast, Chairman
Publicity and Development Committee
Greg Kelly, Chairman
Readiness and Homeland Security Committee
Lt. Col. Joseph Porrovecchio, USAR (Ret) Chairman
Student Activities Committee
Judith DeScenza Cooper, Chairwoman
West Point Affairs Committee
Col. John B. O’Dowd, USA (Ret)
Young Members Committee
Chris Ragnauth, Chairman