SAME Charleston Post

### Context Profile for SAME Charleston Post

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - The SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) Charleston Post is dedicated to promoting collaboration and networking among professionals in the military engineering community. Their mission is to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and enhance the capabilities of the engineering community through education, training, and professional development. They aim to foster relationships between government and industry to improve project delivery and outcomes.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Events**: The organization hosts various events, including the "USACE Industry Day & Annual Oyster Roast," which provides networking opportunities between contractors and government representatives. Other activities include workshops, seminars, and social gatherings that focus on professional development and community engagement.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: They engage in fundraising through events like the Oyster Roast, which also serves as an awards ceremony.
   - **Community Programs**: They facilitate programs aimed at educating members about upcoming projects and opportunities within the military engineering sector.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the website and communications is **professional** yet **friendly** and **inviting**. The language is clear and direct, aiming to engage both industry professionals and small business owners. The content is informative, emphasizing collaboration and community support.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications or on their website. Their style remains formal and professional, focusing on clear and concise information delivery without the use of informal elements like emojis.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: The specific founding date of the Charleston Post is not mentioned on the website, but it is part of the larger SAME organization, which was established in 1920.
   - **Scale**: The Charleston Post has 11 total forms and 11 email campaigns, indicating active engagement with their community.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, the organization emphasizes the importance of networking and collaboration, suggesting a focus on measurable outcomes in professional relationships and project successes.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Information on volunteer opportunities is not explicitly stated, but the community-oriented nature of the organization suggests that they likely welcome volunteer involvement in events and initiatives.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Clarity and Directness**: Use straightforward language that conveys information clearly.
   - **Professional Yet Friendly**: Maintain a tone that is professional but also approachable, encouraging engagement from both industry professionals and small businesses.
   - **Focus on Networking and Collaboration**: Highlight opportunities for connection and collaboration in all communications.
   - **Event Promotion**: When promoting events, emphasize the benefits of participation, such as networking opportunities and insights from industry leaders.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating tailored content for the SAME Charleston Post, ensuring alignment with their mission, activities, and communication style.

LXCL:Grants entry to the event with access to standard amenities and activities.

ACEC/SAME Member Ticket

ACEC/SAME Non Member Ticket

Government Ticket

Buyer AuditoriumMark Clark Hall - The Citadel The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) invite you to our Joint Quarterly Meeting, featuring a special keynote address by the Hon. Garret Graves, U.S. House of Representatives (2015&ndash;2025). This event brings together industry partners, infrastructure leaders, and elected officials to highlight opportunities for collaboration across local, state, and federal levels. Mr. Graves, who represented Louisiana for a decade in Congress, will share insights from his work in state-level coastal protection and restoration, focusing on strategies to strengthen coordination among stakeholders. A moderated discussion will follow.Moderator: &nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Colonel Sam Volkman, PE, PMP, USA (Retired), Vice President, Johnson, Mirmiran &amp; Thompson, Inc. (JMT)</li></ul>Panelists:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Jeff J. Livasy, USACE Charleston District, Chief, Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mike Seekings, Charleston City Council, District 8</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Kaylan Koszela, Director of the Office of Resilience &amp; Sustainability for the City of Charleston</li></ul>Program11:30 AM | Networking &amp; Arrival12:00 PM | Lunch Served12:15 PM | Welcome &amp; Introductions (SAME + ACEC)12:30 PM | Keynote Address: Hon. Garret Graves12:55 PM | Moderated Discussion1:10 PM | Wrap-up1:30 PM | Event Concludes Garret Graves, CongressmanGarret Graves served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing south Louisiana from 2015-2025. During this time, he led numerous reforms on infrastructure, energy, disaster, resiliency, environmental and other areas and was ranked one of the most effective lawmakers in the House. &nbsp;Congressman Graves chaired the Elected Leadership Committee, comprised of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Majority Whip and other leadership positions and served as chair of both the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and the Aviation Subcommittee &ndash; shepherding major bipartisan reforms. &nbsp;In his final term, Graves was credited with negotiating solutions to the stalemate for Speaker of the House, the largest spending reduction in American history, the first major streamlining of environmental laws and eliminating a 40-year old cut to Social Security benefits. &nbsp;Prior to Congress, Graves was a private consultant and was tapped to lead a $20 billion effort for the State of Louisiana to rebuild levees and coastal wetlands following Hurricane Katrina. &nbsp;In this effort, he reorganized portions of five state agencies and established a new coastal agency with the lowest overhead rate in state government. &nbsp;Graves led efforts in the Deepwater Horizon disaster negotiation that resulted in the largest settlement in U.S. history from a single company. &nbsp;He also served on the staffs of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee and U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees and personal offices. &nbsp; Colonel Sam Volkman, PE, PMP, USA (Retired), Vice President, Johnson, Mirmiran &amp; Thompson, Inc. (JMT)Mr. Volkman joined JMT in 2024 and serves as JMT&rsquo;s Federal Facilities Design Build Program Manager and as a Project Manager in the Facilities Delivery Group. Prior to joining JMT, Mr. Volkman served as a U.S. Army Engineer Officer for twenty-eight years. His career culminated as the Deputy Commander of the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Notable career assignments include Command Engineer for U.S. Army Europe, ExecutiveOfficer in the U.S. Army G-9 (Pentagon), Commander of the 94th Engineer Battalion, and Deputy Commander of the San Francisco District, USACE. He served two tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan, and a tour in Haiti. Additionally, he served in the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany. Mr. Volkman is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Ranger School, and U.S. Army Airborne School. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management from theUniversity of Missouri of Science and Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional. Mr. Volkman is married to Ms. Yelena Shnal, and together they have a nine-year-old son whom they enjoy spending time with. He is an avid runner and the winner of the 2007 New Mexico Marathon. Jeff J. Livasy, USACE Charleston District, Chief, Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch Jeff Livasy serves as the Chief of the Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch and Congressional Liaison for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, a position he began in March 2020. He leads a Branch staff of twelve consisting of Project Managers, a Program Office, Program Analysts, and Project Controls staff. He joined the Charleston District in June 2008 as a member of the Construction Branch after working for six years with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, Resident Office In Charge of Construction (ROICC) Charleston. In his current position, he oversees the District&rsquo;s Civil Works Program consisting of Navigation, Coastal Storm and Flood Damage Risk Reduction, Ecosystem Restoration, and Environmental Infrastructure projects. High profile projects include the Charleston Harbor Federal Navigation Project, the Lakes Marion &amp; Moultrie Environmental Infrastructure Program, and the Myrtle Beach, Folly Beach, and City of Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects. In his prior position, Livasy served as the Deputy for Construction Division and provided resource, execution, management, administrative, and oversight support for the District&rsquo;s three main programs - Civil Works, Military and IIS. He has a combined 22 years of project management and construction engineering experience. While with NAVFAC, Mr. Livasy served as the lead engineer and Construction Manager for several MILCON and numerous O&amp;M/SRM projects. Other assignments with NAVFAC included NAVFAC HQ, Engineering Field Activity Northwest, Operations Division, and the Civil Engineering Design Branch.Mr. Livasy earned both his Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2001. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia. In 2015, Livasy was recognized with the Department of the Army&rsquo;s Superior Civilian Service award for expertise in the areas of cost and time growth for Military Construction. In 2021 he received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal and Charleston District Commander&rsquo;s CDR&rsquo;s Award for Extraordinary Achievement. Mike Seekings, Charleston City Council, District 8Mike Seekings is serving his fourth term on Charleston City Council representing District 8 and is running unopposed for a fifth term in November 2025. On council, he chairs the Traffic &amp; Transportation and Audit committees, serves as vice chair of Ways and Means, and is a member of the Public Safety and Public Works committees. He also chairs CARTA and represents Charleston on the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority, BCDCOG, and CHATS boards.Seekings has been a leading voice on flooding and resilience, championing major stormwater, drainage, and seawall projects in his district and across Charleston. From the Low Battery Seawall to neighborhood-scale improvements, he has worked to strengthen infrastructure and protect residents from the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.A magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College and a University of Pittsburgh law alum, Mike clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit before founding his own law firm, where he represents owners in complex construction litigation. Beyond public service, he is an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, a private pilot, and one of Charleston&rsquo;s most avid runners. Kaylan Koszela, Director of the Office of Resilience &amp; Sustainability for the City of CharlestonKaylan Koszela serves as the Director of Resilience in the City of Charleston&rsquo;s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. She&rsquo;s been working for the City of Charleston since 2021, beginning as Special Projects Manager in the Mayor&rsquo;s Office, with a primary focus on projects across the city related to resilience and&nbsp;flood adaptation and mitigation. As the Director of Resilience, she works across city Departments to help the city plan, manage, and communicate future impacts of sea level rise. Additionally, she assists the City of Charleston with navigating federal funding and programs for priority projects city-wide to&nbsp;enhance the city&rsquo;s resilience. She also manages the city&rsquo;s partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.&nbsp;Prior to her time at the city, she spent nearly 14 years working in the United States Congress both in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Director and more recently, as the Outreach Director in Charleston for South Carolina&rsquo;s First Congressional District. She has a background on policy issues related to&nbsp;infrastructure, environmental resources, health care, and foreign affairs.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration greatly helps our mission. 🚀 If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer or talk to your friends about our cause! Thanks,Kalin Morrisonkalin.morrison@hanaengineers.com

Buyer AuditoriumMark Clark Hall - The Citadel The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) invite you to our Joint Quarterly Meeting, featuring a special keynote address by the Hon. Garret Graves, U.S. House of Representatives (2015–2025). This event brings together industry partners, infrastructure leaders, and elected officials to highlight opportunities for collaboration across local, state, and federal levels. Mr. Graves, who represented Louisiana for a decade in Congress, will share insights from his work in state-level coastal protection and restoration, focusing on strategies to strengthen coordination among stakeholders. A moderated discussion will follow.Moderator:  <ul><li>Colonel Sam Volkman, PE, PMP, USA (Retired), Vice President, Johnson, Mirmiran &amp; Thompson, Inc. (JMT)</li></ul>Panelists: <ul><li>Jeff J. Livasy, USACE Charleston District, Chief, Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch</li><li>Mike Seekings, Charleston City Council, District 8</li><li>Kaylan Koszela, Director of the Office of Resilience &amp; Sustainability for the City of Charleston</li></ul>Program11:30 AM | Networking &amp; Arrival12:00 PM | Lunch Served12:15 PM | Welcome &amp; Introductions (SAME + ACEC)12:30 PM | Keynote Address: Hon. Garret Graves12:55 PM | Moderated Discussion1:10 PM | Wrap-up1:30 PM | Event Concludes Garret Graves, CongressmanGarret Graves served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing south Louisiana from 2015-2025. During this time, he led numerous reforms on infrastructure, energy, disaster, resiliency, environmental and other areas and was ranked one of the most effective lawmakers in the House.  Congressman Graves chaired the Elected Leadership Committee, comprised of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Majority Whip and other leadership positions and served as chair of both the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and the Aviation Subcommittee – shepherding major bipartisan reforms.  In his final term, Graves was credited with negotiating solutions to the stalemate for Speaker of the House, the largest spending reduction in American history, the first major streamlining of environmental laws and eliminating a 40-year old cut to Social Security benefits.  Prior to Congress, Graves was a private consultant and was tapped to lead a $20 billion effort for the State of Louisiana to rebuild levees and coastal wetlands following Hurricane Katrina.  In this effort, he reorganized portions of five state agencies and established a new coastal agency with the lowest overhead rate in state government.  Graves led efforts in the Deepwater Horizon disaster negotiation that resulted in the largest settlement in U.S. history from a single company.  He also served on the staffs of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee and U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees and personal offices.   Colonel Sam Volkman, PE, PMP, USA (Retired), Vice President, Johnson, Mirmiran &amp; Thompson, Inc. (JMT)Mr. Volkman joined JMT in 2024 and serves as JMT’s Federal Facilities Design Build Program Manager and as a Project Manager in the Facilities Delivery Group. Prior to joining JMT, Mr. Volkman served as a U.S. Army Engineer Officer for twenty-eight years. His career culminated as the Deputy Commander of the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Notable career assignments include Command Engineer for U.S. Army Europe, ExecutiveOfficer in the U.S. Army G-9 (Pentagon), Commander of the 94th Engineer Battalion, and Deputy Commander of the San Francisco District, USACE. He served two tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan, and a tour in Haiti. Additionally, he served in the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany. Mr. Volkman is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Ranger School, and U.S. Army Airborne School. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management from theUniversity of Missouri of Science and Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional. Mr. Volkman is married to Ms. Yelena Shnal, and together they have a nine-year-old son whom they enjoy spending time with. He is an avid runner and the winner of the 2007 New Mexico Marathon. Jeff J. Livasy, USACE Charleston District, Chief, Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch Jeff Livasy serves as the Chief of the Programs &amp; Civil Works Branch and Congressional Liaison for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, a position he began in March 2020. He leads a Branch staff of twelve consisting of Project Managers, a Program Office, Program Analysts, and Project Controls staff. He joined the Charleston District in June 2008 as a member of the Construction Branch after working for six years with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, Resident Office In Charge of Construction (ROICC) Charleston. In his current position, he oversees the District’s Civil Works Program consisting of Navigation, Coastal Storm and Flood Damage Risk Reduction, Ecosystem Restoration, and Environmental Infrastructure projects. High profile projects include the Charleston Harbor Federal Navigation Project, the Lakes Marion &amp; Moultrie Environmental Infrastructure Program, and the Myrtle Beach, Folly Beach, and City of Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects. In his prior position, Livasy served as the Deputy for Construction Division and provided resource, execution, management, administrative, and oversight support for the District’s three main programs - Civil Works, Military and IIS. He has a combined 22 years of project management and construction engineering experience. While with NAVFAC, Mr. Livasy served as the lead engineer and Construction Manager for several MILCON and numerous O&amp;M/SRM projects. Other assignments with NAVFAC included NAVFAC HQ, Engineering Field Activity Northwest, Operations Division, and the Civil Engineering Design Branch.Mr. Livasy earned both his Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2001. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia. In 2015, Livasy was recognized with the Department of the Army’s Superior Civilian Service award for expertise in the areas of cost and time growth for Military Construction. In 2021 he received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal and Charleston District Commander’s CDR’s Award for Extraordinary Achievement. Mike Seekings, Charleston City Council, District 8Mike Seekings is serving his fourth term on Charleston City Council representing District 8 and is running unopposed for a fifth term in November 2025. On council, he chairs the Traffic &amp; Transportation and Audit committees, serves as vice chair of Ways and Means, and is a member of the Public Safety and Public Works committees. He also chairs CARTA and represents Charleston on the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority, BCDCOG, and CHATS boards.Seekings has been a leading voice on flooding and resilience, championing major stormwater, drainage, and seawall projects in his district and across Charleston. From the Low Battery Seawall to neighborhood-scale improvements, he has worked to strengthen infrastructure and protect residents from the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.A magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College and a University of Pittsburgh law alum, Mike clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit before founding his own law firm, where he represents owners in complex construction litigation. Beyond public service, he is an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, a private pilot, and one of Charleston’s most avid runners. Kaylan Koszela, Director of the Office of Resilience &amp; Sustainability for the City of CharlestonKaylan Koszela serves as the Director of Resilience in the City of Charleston’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. She’s been working for the City of Charleston since 2021, beginning as Special Projects Manager in the Mayor’s Office, with a primary focus on projects across the city related to resilience and flood adaptation and mitigation. As the Director of Resilience, she works across city Departments to help the city plan, manage, and communicate future impacts of sea level rise. Additionally, she assists the City of Charleston with navigating federal funding and programs for priority projects city-wide to enhance the city’s resilience. She also manages the city’s partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to her time at the city, she spent nearly 14 years working in the United States Congress both in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Director and more recently, as the Outreach Director in Charleston for South Carolina’s First Congressional District. She has a background on policy issues related to infrastructure, environmental resources, health care, and foreign affairs.

SAME Charleston Post

Special SAME & ACEC Event: Partnering for Resilience in SC feat. Hon. Garret Graves

Ave of Remembrance

ACEC/SAME Member Ticket

$40

ACEC/SAME Non Member Ticket

$50

Government Ticket

$15

Add a donation for SAME Charleston Post