SAVE Certification Reorganization

On behalf of the SAVE Board and our entire membership, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Laurie Dennis, Ginger Adams, Anna Bremmer, and Patrice Miller for their hard work and dedication. Their efforts have been instrumental in bridging the gap from the start of our certification reorganization to this point. Thank you for your diligence!

The reorganization of the SAVE Certification Board began in September 2023 with the aim of enhancing our certification processes, updating our certification infrastructure, strengthening transparency, improving customer service, increasing the number of certified professionals, and attracting new members.

In light of the ongoing changes related to centralizing certification within SAVE, it is imperative that we harmonize our certification processes globally by adopting a unified and systematic approach. The transition to an online Certified Value Specialist (CVS) certification application process, alongside the Board's commitment to stabilizing the certification framework, has made the completion of the Certification Board reorganization a top priority.

The proposed changes aim to achieve the following objectives:

1. Strengthen and Maintain Certification Quality: Uphold the status of SAVE as the premier authority in Standards related to the Value Methodology (VM).
2. Enhance Customer Service: Prioritize customer engagement to facilitate the certification of new members and ensure a seamless experience.
3. Clarify Governance Structure: Resolve confusion stemming from the attachment of the certification function to the SAVE Board by establishing a dedicated Certification Committee.
4. Establish a Sustainable Organizational Framework: Decouple the roles of the Director of Certification from SAVE Board elections to mitigate risks associated with attracting qualified candidates and to minimize turnover due to leadership changes.
5. Facilitate Adaptability: Transition from the CVS application package submission to an internet portal-based CVS application process, ensuring timely feedback to applicants, enhancing their experience, and promoting growth in certification.
6. Reinforce Governance Separation: Strengthen the distinct roles and influences of the SAVE Board and the certification function to ensure clarity and efficiency in operations.

To accomplish the objectives mentioned above, the SAVE Board has approved a new organizational structure (as illustrated in Figure 1 below). This structure will be critical in fostering our goals and includes:

1. Renaming the Certification Board to the SAVE International Certification Committee.
2. Aligning the Certification Committee with the following administrative components:
   • Certification Advisory Committee: Concentrating on the core elements of certification processes and standards.
   • Certification Review Committee: Responsible for reviewing applications and PDU requests to ensure compliance with standards.
   • SAVE International Business Office: Focusing on the operational aspects of running certification programs and delivering exceptional customer service.

I am pleased to introduce the inaugural members of the SAVE Certification Advisory Committee:

• Melissa Boyd, CVS, PMP, MVM
• Rahul Nagalkar, CVS
• Joe Otero, CVS-Life, FSAVE
• Tom Wiggins, CVS
• David Wilson, P.Eng., CVS-Life, FSAVE, CPF

Additionally, I am proud to introduce the SAVE Certification Registrar, Mike Pearsall, P.Eng., CVS. The members of the Certification Review Committee will comprise the members of the Certification Advisory Committee, along with other volunteers whom we will actively recruit in the near future to broaden our expertise.

The above changes do not have any impact on the current certification process or application; it is all related to the certification organization and not the certification process.

SAVE Chapter Officers Election

The SAVE chapters are the heartbeat of our organization and ensuring that we have vibrant and engaged chapters is vital for our overall growth. The reorganization of the chapters has been a successful journey so far, and we must continue this success by conducting elections for chapter officers, specifically the President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer.

In the coming weeks, we will release a call for nominations for chapter officers, and I encourage each of you to participate - whether by nominating yourself or by engaging in the election process. Your involvement is not only beneficial to your own experience but also critical to the success of our organization.

• Revamped the CVS application and renewal requirements
• Updated the VMA exam, aligned with the VM Guide
• Developed and implemented a new online CVS exam, aligned with the VM Guide
• Re-established the CVS-Life designation
• Updated the Standards of Conduct

As of October 15, the revised Certification Program Manual, application, and renewal forms incorporating all of the changes and updates are available on the SAVE website at www.value-eng.org/CertificationProgramDocuments. The intent is to leave the updates in place for the foreseeable future and maintain the current requirements.

Thank you for your patience during the certification program transition. And thank you for the time and effort by many other volunteers, including the exam committee (Drew Algase, Tammy Dow, Steve Holmes, and Mike Pearsall) along with Anna Bremmer, Ginger Adams, Pat Miller, and myself.

Our assignment concluded on October 31, and effective November 1, a new Certification Committee was designated by the SAVE Board of Directors. This organizational change does not have any impact on the current certification application and renewal process.

Ginger Adams, Anna Bremmer, Pat Miller, and I appreciate all the support, patience, and encouragement regarding the many changes to the SAVE Certification Program over the past two years. Thank you!

Whether you’re showcasing innovation, best practices, or fresh perspectives, get ready to share your expertise with the Value Summit community. Stay tuned for full submission details.

Be sure to save the date for the 2026 Value Summit, being held June 8-10 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We’ll gather for 3 days of educational sessions and networking events focused on the theme "Brewing Ideas, Building Value". The Summit will take place at the historic Hilton Milwaukee, an Art Deco landmark located in downtown Milwaukee, with nearby attractions like the Pabst Theater, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Harley-Davidson Museum.

Visit www.value-eng.org/2026ValueSummit for the most up to date information about the 2026 Value Summit. We look forward to seeing you in Milwaukee!

The SAVE Consultant Directory is the best place to find Value Methodology (VM) consultants, instructors, value study team members, and support services. The Directory is searchable by company, contact name, location, business type, and services provided, and is designed and formatted as a PDF document for easy downloading and printing.

Individuals and companies can purchase a listing and/or advertisement to promote their services and distinguish themselves from their competitors:

• Full Listing = $250 USD
  Includes a company profile with logo, 100-word description, basic contact information, and services provided

• Half Page Advertisement = $350 USD

• Full Page Advertisement = $550 USD

To submit your listing, complete the online order form, including payment and digital artwork, by January 30, 2026.

The SAVE Consultant Directory serves as your business’ most economical advertising venue!

Gordon Frank Outstanding Accomplishment in Government Award
California Department of Transportation Coronado-Bay Bridge Suicide Deterrent Project

Thomas J. Snodgrass Distinguished Service for Education Award
Ahmed Farouk Kineber

Distinguished Service in Government Award
Richard Turk

Presidential Citation Honor
Amit Kumar

Fellow Award
Alan Adelgren

Honorary Fellow Award
Surya Prakash Prabhaker

Congratulations to all of the recipients of this year’s honors and awards and thank you to all the sponsors who nominated them!

Please visit www.value-eng.org/HonorsandAwards for more information about the SAVE Honors & Awards program.

The College of Fellows represents more than technical excellence; it is reserved for individuals whose achievements demonstrate professional mastery, leadership, and above all, service to SAVE, to affiliates worldwide, to clients and organizations, and to the next generation of practitioners. Fellows embody mentorship, integrity, and innovation, serving as role models who exemplify SAVE’s mission: “Generate excitement and achieve global demand for the Value Methodology by promoting, advocating, certifying, and educating.”

This year, two distinguished professionals joined the College of Fellows: Mr. Surya Prakash Prabhaker and Mr. Alan K. Adelgren.

Surya Prakash Prabhaker - Honorary Fellow

Mr. Surya Prakash Prabhaker has been a Certified Value Specialist since 2014 and a Fellow of the Indian Value Engineering Society (INVEST), where he has actively promoted the VM since 2008. Between 2017 and 2023, he served as Secretary of INVEST and as a member of its National Council, demonstrating remarkable leadership in strengthening the society.

Surya’s dedication has been recognized with numerous awards: the Mohta Prize (four consecutive times), the Best Technical Paper Award, the Soundaram Kannapan Medal, and the prestigious Arthur E. Mudge Award from SAVE in 2017. Many of his facilitated projects have gone on to win national recognition, underscoring his excellence in practice.

He has also been a true innovator. Surya developed a Value Optimization Model for construction projects, created the first e-learning module on Value Engineering (VE), and compiled a Function Library of over 700 functions to enhance the quality of VE studies. In addition, he has organized multiple INVEST VE Conferences and conducted more than 100 training programs, reaching over 1,000 participants at Tata Steel, Tata Motors, and their suppliers.

Through innovation, dedication, and service, Surya has made a profound impact on the VM community.

Alan K. Adelgren - Fellow

Mr. Alan “Al” Adelgren brings more than four decades of professional experience, including over 33 years devoted to the VM. His career reflects an extraordinary record of more than 230 construction VE/VM workshops and over 200 business systems studies conducted across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His projects have spanned dams, roads, rail, hospitals, laboratories, military facilities, and even pro bono contributions to churches and schools – showcasing his belief that VE benefits communities at every level.

Al’s service to SAVE has been equally impressive. He has held multiple leadership roles, including Director of the Honors & Awards Committee, Director of Education, and member of the Certification Board, as well as a long-time chapter officer. He currently serves as Vice President of SAVE. Twice, he has been recognized with the Presidential Citation for his outstanding contributions.

A LEED Accredited Professional and long-time member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Al has been a passionate advocate for sustainability. He has consistently applied environmentally responsible concepts, such as heat recovery, to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs well before such practices became widespread.

Beyond his technical record, Al is known for his character - a genuine leader, a mentor, and a colleague who consistently places team success above individual recognition. His leadership has guided projects that not only generated billions in savings, but also advanced safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

Continuing a Legacy

The induction of Mr. Prabhaker and Mr. Adelgren reaffirms SAVE’s commitment to honoring those who advance the VM while serving the broader community. The College of Fellows not only recognizes past achievement but also entrusts its members with the responsibility of carrying the profession forward - mentoring future leaders, upholding standards, and inspiring excellence across the globe.

SAVE extends heartfelt congratulations to our newest Fellows.

Below are recollections of Don from SAVE Fellows…

“I first met Don a bit over 30 years ago, when I was trying to become SAVE President. Don was a staunch supporter, served on my Board of Directors (as he did for other SAVE Presidents), and served for several years after as Vice President International. Don traveled all over the world spreading the word about our Value Methodology, so the title could not have been more fitting. I had the distinct pleasure of becoming friends with Don and his wife Anne, who visited me and my late husband Mike in San Diego and again in Fort Collins. Mike and I were also fortunate to visit Don and Anne in their home in Australia. Don and Anne were the most devoted spouses, parents, and grandparents I ever knew. Special family traditions were in place for each other, and for each child and grandchild. After more than 66 years together, they could not have been more devoted to each other. As evidenced by the following input from various SAVE Fellows from around the world, Don was loved and will be missed by many! Rest in peace, my dear friend.”

Ginger Adams, IAF-CPFTM, CVS-Life, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“I remember Don’s enthusiasm for the Value Methodology, his passion for working with people, and his love of his wife Anne who passed away before him. He was a great teacher of VE, emphasizing all the techniques that made it so successful. His Aussie accent made him fun to hear! God’s blessing to his family.”

Steve Kirk, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“Very sad to hear this news. Don was a very energetic and enthusiastic VM practitioner. It was a pleasure to work with him on a few projects. He had many stories of his time in the Australia Ministry of Defense.”

Bruce Lenzer, CVS-Life, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“Very sad to hear about the passing of Don. I remember the good days we've worked together in several VE workshops. May God bless him.”

Abdulaziz Al-Yousefi, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Donald Hannan. Many SJVE members have fostered friendship with Don and his wife Anne for more than 30 years. We had a lot of great memories to share having spent time together in Japan and the U.S. at VE conferences. Don was a supportive and enthusiastic value professional while serving as VP Global Affairs for SAVE. He will be sadly missed by everyone. May his soul rest in peace.”

Yuji Suzuki, President, Society of Japanese Value Engineering
Hiroshi Tsuchiya, CVS, FSAVE, Advisor
Masayasu Tanaka, CVS, FSAVE, Advisor
Manabu Sawaguchi, CVS, Advisor
Akio Miyamoto, Director, Secretary General
Satoko Uesugi, Director, Overseas Affairs
-------------------------------------------------------

“Sorry to hear about Don's passing. Another great Fellow leaves us. I recall Don’s presentations at the SAVE annual conference and how no other presenters wanted to be scheduled at the same time as Don. Either to not compete with him or to be able to see his presentations. Prayers for Anne & Don, now together for eternity.”

Drew Algase, CVS-Life, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“I was thinking of Don not long ago and was wondering how he was doing. He was a great diplomat and ambassador for SAVE. When I was president, I attended the SJVE conference and Don was so helpful to me and was an invaluable guide. He had a great heart, and he will be missed.”

John Robinson, PE, CVS-Life, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“Early in my career as Director of the NYC VM Program, Don was very encouraging. I looked forward to each annual SAVE conference to learn from the VM pioneers, and Don was warm, full of down-to-earth wisdom and humor. I still remember a conference session on creativity he led. He was a one-of-a-kind, larger than life character. And those of us who knew him are richer for it.”

Jill Woller, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“He was a good man and a good supporter of SAVE.”

Don Stafford, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“He will be greatly missed as he was a trooper for SAVE International and the Value Methodology in general. In Christ and for His purpose.”

Jim Bolton, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“I met Don in New Orleans at the 1994 conference. He was a great conversationalist, always looked forward to speaking with him. He was a member of Rocky Mountain chapter for many years when I was on chapter board. Seems like he called into a few of RMC's early meetings despite the distance and time differential. During one of our conversations, he explained how some common American idioms and product names were offensive and fighting words in Australia. Rest easy Don and Anne.”

Al Adelgren, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Don. We were both nominated for Fellow in 1995, went to the China VE Convention in 1999, and developed many close relationships. I have countless memories of him. May he rest in peace.”

Yoshihiko Sato, CVS, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“I remember Don fondly and the many conversations I had with him at SAVE conferences and Summits. Berta and I will keep him and his family in our prayers. May he rest in eternal peace on the arms of our Lord.”

Luis Venegas, PE, CVS-Life, LEED AP, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

“Never did I look forward to late-night or early-morning phone calls to be able to talk with anyone other than Don Hannan. I enjoyed talking with him about VM, his experiences, his family, and my own opportunities. He was a treasure trove of wisdom and stories. I wish his family and closest friends’ peace and comfort at this time of their significant loss.”

Joe Otero, FSAVE, CVS-Life
-------------------------------------------------------

“I first came to know Mr. Hannan when he was feeling depressed due to his wife's illness. Later he gave me the good news of her recovery. Like me also quite an elder (now 92), he was always cheerful and helped everyone in need. I shall cherish his memory as a valued good Samaritan. In my Kerala heritage, our ancestors advised us kids when very senior elders pass away after a lifetime of achievements to their credit, you children must celebrate the occasion with joy - do not condole. So, my wife and my brothers have advised our kids, relatives, and friends to enjoy with sweets.”

SS Venkataramanan, FSAVE
-------------------------------------------------------

As the Director of Global Affairs, I represented SAVE International and delivered a message to the participants that highlighted the shared mission of the global value community: to create innovative, cost-effective solutions without compromising performance or quality. The talk emphasized the growing importance of the Value Methodology in addressing today’s challenges, from rapid technological change and sustainability demands to digital transformation and global competition.

This discussion also underlined the essential cooperation with Value for Europe, the normative body for certification in Europe, in ensuring that Value Management continues to evolve and remain relevant. I stressed that events like the Valuemanagers Summit are not only about knowledge exchange, but also about building meaningful connections and shaping the future of the profession together.

Coming from the highly successful 2025 Value Summit in Delhi, India, the first SAVE conference held outside North America, it was noted the importance of global events in strengthening the value community.

Looking ahead, participants were made aware and invited to upcoming events, including the VDI Conference in Wuppertal, Germany (May 5-6, 2026), the SAVE 2026 Value Summit in Milwaukee, WI, USA (June 8-10, 2026), and the INVEST Value Engineering Conference in Pune, India (December 4-5, 2026).

This year’s Valuemanagers Summit demonstrated the strength and diversity of the Value Management community. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment, the participants contributed to advancing the Value discipline and shaping its future direction.