The Washington, DC Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) was chartered in 1978 as the eighth chapter of PMI. The chapter became a Virginia corporation in 2000 with the official name of Project Management Institute Washington, D. C. Chapter, Inc. (PMIWDC).

The original focus was on the construction industry. The primary sponsor was Arthur Anderson.  In the ensuing years the chapter grew to become the largest chapter in the world and expanded its focus to the many industries and government areas embracing Project Management. This document highlights some of the key facts and milestones achieved during those years. 

Presidents

PMIWDC Anniversary Recognitions:

Chapter Awards from PMI

Significant Chapter Events / Milstones

• 1983-84 – Lew Ireland was named PMI’s Person of the Year.  Lew is currently a Fellow.

• Mark Smith, Lew Ireland, Davidson Frame, and Rush Williamson have all received PMI’s second highest award, the “Distinguished Contribution Award.”

• 1984 – The first Chapter Seminar was held.

• 1985 – The first vendor show called “Computer Shootout” (all the vendors were computer software dealers) was held.

• 1989 – The chapter hosted the first Region II chapter meeting

• 1989 – Davidson Frame became PMI’s first Director of Certification.  Lew Ireland, Rush Williamson, and Clay Myers were on the PMP advisory committee.

• 1991 –The first PMP review course series was offered as an ongoing professional development seminar.

• 1994-95 Davidson Frame was named PMI’s Person of the Year.

• 1995 – The chapter became PMI’s largest chapter

• 1995 – The chapter sponsored the formation of the Baltimore, MD chapter and assisted in establishing their PMP program.

• Additional chapters subsequently supported were Southern Maryland, Montgomery County and Silver Spring.

• 1999 – Chapter membership crossed the 1000 mark.

• 2000 – New bylaws were written and adopted reflecting the growth of the chapter.

• 2000 - The chapter was formally incorporated in the state of Virginia, with the official name: Project Management Institute Washington, D. C. Chapter, Inc.

• 2002 – The first of the chapter’s ongoing Knowledge Exchange Forums was held.

• 2004 – PM Tools sessions were begun prior to each meeting, making an additional PDU available to the membership each month.

• 2005 – The Quantico Outreach Committee was chartered as the first joint effort between PMIWDC and PMICVC (Central Virginia Chapter) to serve members near chapter borders.

• 2005– Chapter membership crossed the 5000 mark.

• 2005 – The Chapter to Chapter Program was launched.

• 2006 – Potomac Management Resources was hired to provide management support services.

• 2007 – The Corporate Outreach Program was launched.

• 2007 – First Leadership Session held to train and mentor volunteers to become  officers and Board members.

• 2007 – The first Career Day was held enabling members and prospective employers to match job interests and opportunities.

• 2007 – The chapter Strategic Map was created, linking the chapter’s operational objectives and strategic goals to PMI’s Strategic Plan.

• 2007 – The chapter Operational Plan was created, requiring Board members with budgetary responsibilities to create annual budgets and to track planned and actual revenues and expenditures, providing greater financial discipline and visibility for chapter operations.

• 2007 – The first endowed chapter scholarship fund was established in support of the PMI Educational Foundation “Building Better Futures” initiative.

• 2007 – The Frederick dinner meeting series was launched as the first joint effort between PMIWDC and the Baltimore chapter to serve the interests of members of both chapters.

• 2007 – The first breakfast meeting series in downtown DC, “PM in the A.M.” was launched.

• 2007 – BAE Systems became the chapter’s first Gold Level Corporate Sponsor.

• 2008 – Aaron Hall receives PMI Volunteer of the Year Recognition of Excellence

• 2008 – Shirley Buchanan receives PMI Volunteer of the Year

• 2008 – Ron Taylor receives PMI Component Leader of the Year

• 2008 – Global Knowledge became the chapter’s first Silver Level Corporate Sponsor.

• 2008 – The first chapter Annual Report and the first chapter Business Plan were created.

• 2008 – Chapter membership crossed the 8000 mark.

• 2008 – Gantthead became the chapter’s first Platinum Level Corporate sponsor.

• 2008 – New bylaws were approved for 2009 implementation, providing for a Governance Board and Operations Board to better administer the needs and services of the chapter.

• 2009 – The United States Marshal Service community was launched.

  2009 – The Alexandria Brownbag community was launched.

  2009 – The Keller Graduate School of Management community was launched.

Strategic Alliances

The chapter has formed alliances with other organizations to promote, advance and reinforce professional project management practices and principles.  Alliances include:

• Women in Technology (WIT) – 2005
• Toastmasters International (TI) - 2006
• Agile Project Leadership Network (APLN) - 2008
• Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP) - 2008
• International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) - 2008
• National Association of Minority Government Contractors (NAMGC) – 2008
• NOVA Community College - 2009
• George Washington University - 2009

Luncheon Meetings

The Skyline Luncheon meeting, chartered in 2003 under the guidance of Roy Burton, was the first of many luncheon meetings.  These meetings provide an opportunity for members and other project managers to meet and network at various convenient locations within the chapter’s geographical area.  Luncheon meetings have begun in over a dozen venues since then.