Quote:

...SAE in engineering (I don't think he has an engineering degree but he's been given the SAE status, not sure how that work's but it does go toward his credibility),...



If it's a full SAE Certificate, it's something like this: http://www.sae.org/training/seminars/certificate/
About 6 course at about $1400 avg cost per course if you are an SAE member.

Otherwise, if you pay dues you are a member of SAE. They send you a certificate of membership. I'm a member, student member, student chapter president, Formula SAE Design captain, student chapter award of excellance...That and 50 cents will buy me a cup of coffee.