Planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives while effectively trading off the triple constraint more often than not requires effective collaboration and teamwork. This month we recognize and applaud such a team for their selfless contributions to the chapter, Meet Your Volunteers – Wendi Kirkham and Chitra Dhayalan.

Wendi is currently serving PMIWDC as the Chair of the 2008 Project Manager of the Year (PMOTY) Award Committee, a part of the 2008 International Project Management Day events. Chitra serves PMIWDC as a key member of the PMOTY committee, responsible for administering data gathering and communications efforts.

Wendi began her career in Chicago, in the banking industry, as a management intern. After successfully completing that program she was promoted to operations manager, where she spent the next five years developing a love for project management via her participation in various projects. As a result she opted to pursue a career in project management and has never regretted her decision.

Chitra began her career in IT in a Telecommunications manufacturing company as a management trainee. In 2005, after almost 15 years of managing systems, teams and projects; Chitra recognized a need to access additional project management information and resources to further her capabilities in the application of project management discipline and thus became interested in PMI. She ultimately earned her PMP credential the same year and has since then emulated the focus and principles of PMI.

A PMI certified PMP since 2006, Eva currently works as a Senior Earned Value Management Consultant for Earned Value Advisers. Inc. Eva supports a variety of DoD, Federal civil agency, and industry clients, and as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in Enterprise Project Management is quite comfortable in both public and private sector engagements.

At the suggestion of a friend, Eva joined the PMIWDC about three years ago.  Eva wanted to connect with more local people and to maintain connections with other project managers after returning from working on a number of different projects abroad. Eva volunteered and was assigned to the New Member Welcome committee. Eva’s affiliation as a PMIWDC volunteer has given her access to parts of the organization most members never see. By her own admission she has made many fantastic connections through volunteering - both personally and professionally.

As a volunteer, Eva assists in greeting new members during networking sessions and periodically hosts the “New Members” table during monthly chapter meeting dinners.  Eva enjoys her role on the committee because it provides a friendly place for our newest members to ask questions and get help finding resources.

In her spare time Eva enjoys traveling and being involved with wildlife and nature. In fact while working on a project with the National Parks Service of the Republic of South Africa, Eva earned her qualifications as a Game Ranger for Kruger National Park! Eva also sculpts using wax and clay, and enjoys wine-tasting.

Chris Karanski, PMP, works in the Government Consulting Industry for Headstrong, Inc. Chris has been a member of both PMI and PMIWDC for about 4 years. He became interested in PMI about 7 years ago when he was introduced to PMI by a colleague. PMI offered him an opportunity to network with professionals and learn best practices that enhanced his career given his experience with managing logistical projects in the Former Soviet Union.

Chris's volunteering efforts began when John Cormier introduced him to the Chapter-to-Chapter program during one of the evening dinner meetings. Chris now serves as the Assistant Vice President for Outreach, Chapter-to-Chapter Program.

Chris is pursuing his training in Microsoft Project Server and he plans to achieve the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification. He also has plans to advance his training in Project Portfolio Management business processes and tools.

On the side, Chris is a private pilot, an avid science fiction fan, and a NRA certified firearms instructor. He enjoys working with his hands to maintain and repair the family cars and he likes to complain when he has to fix things around the house. Most importantly, his wife and he are the proud parents of two young boys: Peter who is 6 and James who is 4.

Joanne Young, PMP, works as a Project Controller for Irving Burton Associates (IBA), supporting Tricare Management on an IT government contract.

Joanne became interested in PMI after receiving her PMP certification in 2005.  She wanted to get more involved with the PMIWDC chapter because she was impressed with the monthly meetings and the many other events sponsored by the chapter.  She also wanted to work with other experienced Project Managers in order to learn about their areas of expertise.   By working with PMI professionals she has learned best practices that enhance her skillset.

Joanne’s current role as the committee lead for the Member Retention Committee is part of the PMIWDC Membership Operational Area.   As a volunteer, she enjoys the opportunity to meet people and expand her professional network.

Joanne’s interests include volunteering with local community programs.  She devotes time to serving as the Communications chair, secretary, and newsletter editor supporting a social community and theatre group.   She loves classic rock music and is a huge fan of Jimmy Buffet.  She also participates in marathons throughout the year.  

Joanne is currently pursuing her MBA-Project Management through Grantham University and she hopes to have it completed in 2009.

Paul Parker, PMP, works as a Program Manager in the defense servicesindustry supporting the U.S. Marine Corps at Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA.  He is currently employed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

He became interested in PMI when he first got out of the Marine Corps in 1987.  He started attending PMI meetings at Evans Farm Inn. He became involved in a number of activities, but continued to hear about PMI and the work in program management.  About fouryears ago he decided to obtain his PMP certification.  He joined PMI and took the test in July 2005.

He became interested involunteering for the PMIWDC chapter after attending a number of PMIWDC dinners and luncheons at Quantico.  John Cormier encouragedhim to volunteer at a dinner meeting where he was a scheduled speaker.

He currently volunteers asthe Chair of the Quantico Outreach Committee. In this role he extends PMIWDC chapter services and support to Project Management Professionalsin the Ft. Belvoir, Quantico, and Fredericksburg areas who are unableto fully participate in chapter activities due to challenges withlocation.

Other great interests include his wife of 39 years, his daughter, and photography.

Thank you to our 2007 Volunteers!

Mr. Paul R. Aaron, PMP
Mr. Mohamed E. Abuagla, PMP
Mr. Richard C. Adams, PMP
Mr. William D. Adams, PMP
Mr. John F. Adler, PMP
Mr. Vikash Agarwal, PMP
Mr. Fred Ansick, PMP
Ms. Evelyn E Aponte-Sacks, PMP
Mr. Michael M. Ayres, PMP
Ms. Bonnie Barit, PMP
Dr. Roger D. Beatty, PMP
Mr. Clyde F. Bentley, PMP
Mr. Bruce J. Bernhardt, PMP
Mr. Sirish Bhatnagar, PMP
Mr. William B. Bigler, PMP
Mr. Thomas C. Bishop, PMP
Mr. Brian L Blankenship, PMP

Lindsay Kloepping, PMP, works for a leading marketing technology company.  She manages projects that provide digital marketing services to its clients.

She became interested in PMI because the website offered great tools and resources for success.   Selected by her company to practice the role as project manager, her efforts have contributed to the implementation of her company’s first Program Management Office (PMO).   

The networking opportunities through PMI have sharpened her skills.  Overall, working as a PMP practitioner and applying the PMI body of knowledge has reflected positively on her company’s business results.

She became interested in volunteering for the PMIWDC chapter to earn PDUs and stay connected with other PMs; it was also a great way to get to know a group of them more closely.  As part of giving back to such a great organization she has offered available time by bringing her specialized experience of digital marketing services.  In her current volunteer role she works with the communications committee on the newsletter redesign project, and is also the chapter photographer.

Her special interests include playing with her new puppy, photography, blogging, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Carl Crampton, PMP works as a Senior Consultant in the government consulting industry with a focus on information technology. Carl became interested in PMI, knowing it was the world's leading organization dedicated to project management professionals.

As a member of the Communications Committee, Carl contributes his technical expertise by overseeing the PMIWDC website re-host efforts for making the website a 21st century, first-class point of entry for members and non-members.  

His involvement with the PMIWDC chapter since April 2005 continues to benefit local members by demonstrating his professional business practices.  During his leisure he enjoys reading, bicycling and golf.

Elizabeth A. McQueen, PMP, works in the Information Technology industry. She is currently contracting with a major firm, working on a telecommunications services contract. In addition, Elizabeth is in the initial stages of working for herself as a process development and process improvement consultant.

Elizabeth earned her PMP three years ago after being selected by her employer at that time to earn the certification. She joined PMIWDC after earning her PMP to broaden her networking base in support of her consultancy and to earn PDUs.

As a volunteer, she is managing the project to fully define and document key processes that make PMIWDC an award-winning chapter. These processes will ease the transition for future Board members, and they will be shared with other chapters at the 2008 Leadership Conference.

Elizabeth enjoys teaching for the PM certificate program at Northern Virginia Community College. In her spare time, she likes to travel, cook, watch football, and lay tile. And, she says “I have never met a dog I didn’t like”.

Paula Haedel, PMP, is currently employed by CGI, a leading IT and business process services provider with 26,000 professionals working in more than 100 offices worldwide. Paula works in the business unit focusing on federal government customers. 

She directs the Small Business Program for CGI Federal and manages the relationships with its small business partners.She became interested in PMI in 2002 while managing a large systems integration project for delivery to a State government and when her customer and other government customers were asking for their contractors to be PMP certified.