Black & Veatch

Some recognitions are rare. This one is historic, putting Black & Veatch in a category of one.

The global mission-critical infrastructure solutions leader has become the only company to win the Society of American Military Engineers’ (SAME) J.W. Morris Corporate Member Award in the large business category three times on its own — not including any mergers — since the honor’s 1981 inception.

The award recognizes enterprises that go above and beyond in advancing SAME’s mission in building leaders, bolstering government and industry collaboration, and tackling the nation’s most complex national security infrastructure challenges.

Black & Veatch will receive the award May 21 at SAME’s Society Ball & Awards Gala during the Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo (JETC) in Portland. The company previously won the award in 1985 and 2020; because large companies must wait five years before resubmitting a nomination, this year’s honor marks a rare, significant return.

“Our people consistently have led, volunteered, mentored and partnered across SAME at every level, and that long‑term engagement is what made this recognition possible. I’m incredibly proud of the generations of professionals who built the foundation for this achievement.”

Named in honor of late retired Lt. Gen. John W. “Jack” Morris ­— the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ chief from 1976 to 1980 — the award recognizes sustained, organization‑wide engagement, not one‑off achievements. Criteria range from leadership at the post, regional and national levels to mentoring young professionals, supporting STEM and community outreach, and actively contributing to SAME conferences, committees and publications.

That long‑term commitment is where Black & Veatch shines. For decades, the employee‑owned company has supported SAME through dozens of regional posts, encouraged young member participation and mentorship, and consistently stepped forward with leaders willing to serve. That engagement has endured across eras, from the Cold War to today’s increasingly complex, multi-domain security environment.

At its core, the recognition underscores shared purpose: Black & Veatch and SAME are deeply committed to delivering resilient, mission‑critical infrastructure that supports national security while developing the next generation of engineering and construction leaders.

“What makes this recognition meaningful is the depth of commitment behind it,” said Tom Rose, who in March 2026 joined Black & Veatch as senior vice president and the leader of its federal business. “I’m honored to step into a role shaped by strong leadership and a culture of service to SAME. We will continue building on that legacy by supporting the profession, investing in people and showing up for the mission year after year.”

As Black & Veatch looks ahead, this historic third J.W. Morris Award isn’t a capstone. It’s a reaffirmation that when industry, service and purpose align, the impact lasts — and everyone benefits.