Member Insights: Dan Braley

This year marks my 10th anniversary as an official member of SME. It all started with my presentation on the Adaptive Machining program at AeroDef Manufacturing 2014. The presentation covered an Air Force Research Laboratory-funded Contractual Research and Development program, where I served as the principal investigator and program manager for Northrop Grumman. Clearly, I was an expert on the program and the topic at that time, but you wouldn’t have known that if you were an attendee in the audience during my presentation — I WAS TERRIFIED! This was my first public speaking experience outside of academic or student research conferences. 

After presenting umpteen million times worldwide at conferences and customer events, it’s second nature to me now, but it wasn’t then. I “presented” that day (not well), but without that experience, I might not be who I am today. That moment was my first step toward conquering my fear of public speaking. Later, I joined a local Toastmasters International chapter, which helped me build the confidence that has shaped me into the well-rounded engineer I am today.

To be truly well-rounded, it’s not enough to be just smart, articulate, or knowledgeable—you need a mix of all three. Do I consider myself a master speaker today? Not at all, but I can communicate my ideas clearly, thoughtfully, and tailor my presentations to fit the audience. Concise? That’s still a work in progress. I tend to be a bit long-winded—mainly because I’m passionate about what I do!

The takeaway from this story is that no one is an expert in everything, and no one possesses every skill. To me, the most effective engineer is the one who recognizes their strengths and weaknesses and actively works to enhance their skills and grow in areas with room for improvement.

With that in mind, SME has profoundly shaped who I am today. Through my involvement at both the chapter and national levels, I’ve gained countless leadership opportunities, speaking roles, and the chance to participate in and mentor various panels. Most importantly, my network has grown exponentially, providing me with continuous opportunities for career advancement and insights into corporate and industry leadership within aerospace.

I’m now focused on paying it forward by mentoring emerging professionals and volunteering for the organization that has given me so much over the past decade. One of my current goals as the chair-elect of the SME Member Council is to expand and grow SME corporate memberships. If your company would like to take advantage of the Enhanced SME Corporate Membership Program, you can join here.

Please note: this opportunity isn’t just for large corporations. There are membership options available for companies of all sizes—large, medium, and small—that want to keep their employees engaged, stay updated on the latest trends and technologies, and gain an edge in recruiting next-generation talent. Exclusive benefits, like access to the student chapter leader and member directories, offer advantages not available to the public.

I hope this inspires someone reading to discuss corporate membership with their employer, so they can experience the same benefits of engaging with SME that I have, and perhaps share that value with their colleagues. For individuals interested in volunteering for roles within SME membership, please fill out our volunteer sign-up form.

Best Regards, Dan Braley, FSME, CAMT