Project Management Institute organization now local

  • Published
  • By Shawn Jacobs and Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  A team effort, spearheaded by Susan Rymer, business manager for ATA's Investments Department at AEDC, recently resulted in the establishment of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Chattanooga Chapter Middle Tennessee Branch. The new branch gives local project management professionals residing in Coffee, Moore, Franklin, Lincoln, Grundy and Warren Counties of Middle Tennessee convenient local association with PMI.

PMI is internationally recognized as being the largest association of project management professionals, having more than 500,000 members and credential holders in 185 countries.

Rymer, who earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification last year, credited ATA General Manager Steve Pearson and ATA Director of Investment Projects and Design Engineering Louis Vanacore with encouraging the effort to establish the local branch.

"As an organization, we highly encourage our project managers to become certified project management professionals, and certification is through PMI," Vanacore said.

The new branch will provide current members of PMI a convenient means to participate in a PMI organization with educational and networking opportunities including professional development units (PDUs) that are needed to maintain a PMP certification. Members benefit by gaining knowledge, resources and networking opportunities that help improve and advance their project management skills.

Rymer, who serves as director of the new branch and as a member of the Chattanooga PMI Chapter board of directors, said, "A PMP certification is not required to become a member of the organization. In fact, many members are new to project management or students that are pursuing a career in project management. The Middle Tennessee Branch has high expectations to grow and serve not only AEDC employees but local companies in the surrounding communities.

"We invite individuals wanting to learn more about project management as a profession to become a part of the organization. All are welcome to attend our meetings and become a member of our local organization. I encourage any company or individual to contact me to learn more about the benefits of becoming involved with the organization.

"Currently, a steering committee is working to ensure the branch formation will be successful. AEDC individuals from ATA and the Air Force are represented on the committee, along with Nortel, Jacobs Engineering and Computer Science Corporation employees from outside the gates of AEDC. I am confident with the individuals that are volunteering and the vast amount of talent and knowledge we have in the local area, the Middle Tennessee Branch will be successful."

Sharon Carter, deputy director, ATA Investment Projects and Design Engineering, explained, "The importance of aligning AEDC's project managers with an organization like PMI makes good business sense. PMI is the largest project management organization in the world. Steve Pearson thought it was important for us to adopt a common set of project management standards and practices and PMI provides those."

The newly formed branch recently hosted a "meet and greet" at O'Charley's in Manchester. Rymer said it was a successful launch with approximately 30 current PMI members and guests in attendance.

A membership drive is planned with future meetings scheduled to occur in August and October. Guest speakers will be announced soon. For those who would like to attend or want more information, call Rymer at 454-7683 or Peggy Glass, director of membership, at 454-7475. Other contact numbers are JonPaul Wallace, director of programs, at 454-4904 and Doug Brown, director of finance, at 454-5407 Additional information about PMI and the parent organization can be viewed at www.pmi.org and www.chattanoogapmi.org.