Lieutenant Commander Aaron Kulp serves as the Comprehensive Military Construction Program Director at Public Works Department Bethesda, NAVFAC Washington. Commissioned in 2011, he brings over a decade of military and civilian engineering experience, including deployments to Djibouti and Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance. He has held key facilities and acquisition roles at Naval Station Everett, Coastal Riverine Group ONE, and OPNAV. LCDR Kulp holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Saint Martin’s University and a master’s in Infrastructure Planning and Management from the University of Washington. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Seabee Combat Warfare qualified.

Michael Huffstetler is the 2025–2026 President of the Society of American Military Engineers and leads Federal Programs at DLR Group. With over 38 years in the A/E/C industry, he brings experience in both military and civilian sectors, including service as a U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Officer and liaison to the Pentagon Renovation Program. A SAME member since 1988 and Fellow since 2021, he focuses on strengthening industry-government collaboration, delivering impactful infrastructure solutions, and attracting new talent to the profession. His leadership spans domestic and international projects for agencies across the federal government. 

Peter Rouse serves as Associate Director of Federal Services at Colliers Engineering & Design, bringing over 25 years of executive leadership and business development experience in the A/E/C industry. He specializes in federal government construction programs and is known for driving operational efficiency, strategic planning, and client engagement. An active SAME member since 2014, he serves as Chair of the U.S. Naval Academy Student Chapter and Co-Chair of SAME’s National Student Chapter Advisory. He holds degrees from Bowie State and George Washington University and is a Ph.D. candidate at Princeton. His accolades include the Congressional Award and Eagle Scout honors. 

Ms. Austin serves as the Design Director for the Planning, Design and Construction Directorate at NAVFAC Washington. She previously held leadership roles with NAVFAC EURAFCENT in Italy and NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, overseeing design and engineering efforts across multi-billion-dollar portfolios. A registered architect and LEED® Accredited Professional, she began her federal career in 1994 after eight years in private practice. She is a Virginia Tech graduate and holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership from Old Dominion University. Ms. Austin is a recipient of the SAME Urbahn Medal and has held leadership roles within AIA Hampton Roads. 

Commander Angel Aviles serves as the Public Works Officer at Naval Support Activity South Potomac, overseeing operations at PWD Dahlgren and PWD Indian Head. A registered Professional Engineer and Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, he has held leadership roles across expeditionary, installation, and fleet assignments, including tours in Djibouti, Bahrain, Guantanamo Bay, and with the Third Fleet. He holds engineering degrees from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the Naval Postgraduate School. His certifications include JPME Phase I, DAWIA Contracting Level III, and DSCA Phase II. His personal awards include multiple commendation and achievement medals recognizing both leadership and humanitarian service. 

Katheryn Balonek serves as the Contracting Business Line Leader for NAVFAC Washington, bringing extensive experience across multiple NAVFAC Commands. Since beginning her federal career in 2006 as a Naval Acquisition Development Program intern at NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, she has held progressive roles in Norfolk, Naples, and Yokosuka, including Contracting Director for NAVFAC Far East. Known for promoting efficient, compliant acquisition strategies, she is dedicated to delivering high-quality facilities and services that support the Navy’s mission. Balonek holds both undergraduate and graduate business degrees from Old Dominion University and proudly supports her hometown team, the Buffalo Bills.

Javier Molinari, PE, serves as Construction Director at NAVFAC Washington, where he leads a regional team of engineers, construction managers, and schedule analysts. He provides strategic oversight for construction operations, workforce planning, and performance assessments. With over a decade at NAVFAC, he has held key roles in construction engineering, materials specification, and technology implementation. A licensed Professional Engineer and subject matter expert in airfield concrete and electronic construction management, Molinari previously worked in the private sector leading QA programs and product innovation. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, and is active in ACI and ASTM.

Captain Daniel J. Schmitt serves as Commanding Officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington and Regional Engineer for Naval District Washington. A Professional Engineer and Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, he holds a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina. His career spans command tours with Naval Mobile Construction Battalions and leadership roles in expeditionary operations, facilities management, and legislative liaison. A graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows program, CAPT Schmitt has earned multiple personal and unit commendations for his distinguished service. 

Commander Robert J. Thompson serves as Assistant Operations Officer and Director of Public Works for NAVFAC Washington. Commissioned in 2009, he holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and an M.S. in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. His career includes operational tours with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Eleven and Maritime Civil Affairs, along with key facilities roles in Italy, Japan, and at the Pentagon. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas, Seabee Combat Warfare qualified, and DAWIA Level III certified. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals and multiple commendation medals.