WELCOME TO
TENNESSEE VALLEY POST

About the Post

Origins of the Tennessee Valley Post

In late 2013 initial discussions between Perry Barker and Ray Alexander began the path to establish a SAME Post in Oak Ridge. Barry Totten and Sheldon Johnson joined the dialogue.  During the first half of 2014, with many meetings/discussions and assistance from Chris Green, the Nashville Post offered to sponsor the formation Field Chapter in Oak Ridge..

The East Tennessee Technology Corridor Field Chapter (ETTC FC) was founded in August 2014.  Ray Alexander was the Senior Representative, with a full cadre of staff (Additional Founding Members: Linda Albrecht, Lorie Baker-Wallace, Mike Lee, and Bill Sawrey). Barry Totten became the Senior Representative in late fall of 2014. The FC was fully operational with regular meetings and events through early 2016. Bob Sidoti, Regional VP at the time, was instrumental in guiding the FC leadership to finalize the documents in early 2016 to become a full fledged Post.

The Tennessee Valley Post (TVP) in Oak Ridge, TN was chartered in April 2016, as the 105th Post for SAME. Later that year the TVP earned its first Streamer for Relationships. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 the TVP was designated as a Distinguished Small Post. Also in 2019, TVP was the Top Small Post, in recognition of contributions advancing the SAME mission.

Since inception, the meeting venue has been at the Event Center on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, although there have been several different names/owners. Now operated by Calhoun's.

Story of the Tennessee Valley Post Coin Design/Logo
The coin design was a collaborative effort from the Leadership Team to develop a concept. This concept was originally drawn by Erica Beck (daughter of founding member Sheldon Johnson) and further refined by Heidi Hoffmann (Jacobs).

Symbology: The map of Tennessee with star pinpoints the geographic location of Oak Ridge. Junction of the two rivers (French Broad and Holston) form the Tennessee River, east of Oak Ridge.  The three stars represent the three sections of the State--East, Middle and West Tennessee, through which the Tennessee River flows. The Tennessee Valley Post, as Team #105 was established in 2016.

Founding Members

About the National Society

Mission, Vision, Values
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), the premier professional military engineering association in the United States, unites architecture, engineering construction (A/E/C), facility management and environmental entities and individuals in the public and private sectors to prepare for—and overcome—natural and manmade disasters, and to improve security at home and abroad.

The SAME Mission

• “To promote and facilitate engineering support for national security by developing and enhancing relationships and competencies among uniformed services, public- and private-sector engineers and related professionals, and by developing future engineers through outreach and mentoring.”

The SAME Vision

• “To be a premier global engineering organization leading the professional and personal growth of all members in support of military readiness and development of solutions to national security challenges.”

The SAME Values

• Integrity: Unwavering commitment to always do what is right, regardless of consequences.
• Patriotism: Support our national ideals and take pride in our country.
• Public Service: Recognize the critical contribution that public servants make in supporting the economic and environmental needs of the nation.
• National Security: Recognize the dedication of our national security team, comprised of the uniformed services, civil service and contractors, in defending freedom.
• Technical Competence: Deliver high-quality solutions.
• Excellence: Strive for the highest standards of performance in all actions, both personal and professional.
• Environmental Stewardship: Preserve, protect, conserve and restore our national resources through sustainable development.