PMIWDC

Mohamed Abuagla

About the Program - Impact of Cloud Computing on Traditional Project Management

As the new buzz in the industry, Cloud Computing is envisioned to revolutionize the way Information Technology will be procured, implemented and managed.  How can a Project Manager prepare for the upcoming big wave? Why is managing a Cloud Computing project any different? What to focus on when managing a Cloud Computing project?

About the Speaker

Mr. Mohamed Abuagla is the founder & CEO of Intelligent, LLC, a provider of Information Technology Services and Solutions.  He has over 15 years of extensive experience in Information Technology, Telecommunications and Information Security serving both government and commercial clients.
Mr. Abuagla holds a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering form George Mason University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).  Mr. Abuagla is also IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certified in implementing and managing IT Services organizations. 

Elise Bell

About the Program - How to Write a Winning Resume

Ms. Elise Bell, President and Recruiting Director for Optimal Velocity Solutions, an Expert Staffing Agency and Woman-Owned IT Contracting company, serving top Fortune 500 and Defense Contractors, will be presenting a seminar on HOW TO WRITE A WINNING RESUME.  This is a "must see" seminar.
Topics Ms. Elise Bell's Seminar will explore include:

• What sections should be in my resume?
• Where should I mention my PMP Certification and Clearance on my resume?
• Where should I place my education on my resume?
• What should be in my summary to make my resume stand out from the pack?
• What should be in my experience section to assure employers I am well qualified?
• How can I make the content of my experience section show I am THE BEST candidate?
• What should be in my SKILL SET section?
• How many pages long should my resume be?
• What should I write in the References section at the end of my resume?
• How should I fill out employment applications?
• Whom should I list in my References area in an employment application?
• What is the best way to seek a career transition?
• What is the outlook for PMPs?
• Are you wondering -- What are my qualifications worth?
• Where can I post my resume and apply for jobs online?

Q/A: At the conclusion of the seminar, Ms. Elise Bell will answer questions and be available for networking.

About the Speaker

Elise Bell is the President and Recruiting Director for Optimal Velocity Solutions, LLC.

Optimal Velocity Solutions is a woman owned company that was established by Elise Bell, an Expert Recruiter, in 2005.  Elise Bell graduated Summa Cum Laude ( 3.9/4.0 GPA ) with a Masters in Human Resources Development from George Washington University with studies in Process Improvement applied to HR/Recruiting, Organizational Development, Process Re-Engineering, and Strategic Human Performance.

Elise Bell was formerly a Global Recruiting Manager, SME Recruiter, and Sourcer in her previous career in Recruitment (1996 - 2005), staffing vacancies for world class employers including Lockheed Martin, Cisco Systems, DRC, IBM, Microsoft, etc. and their Government Agency end-clients including NSA, CIA, FBI, NRO, MDA, the US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, etc. before launching Optimal Velocity Solutions, LLC in 2005.

Karen Davey-Winter

About the Program - Improve Your Management Effectiveness Through Knowledge of Personality Types

Do you want to understand more about yourself, and the people that you work with, in order to improve your effectiveness as a Project Manager? Excellent Project Managers understand not only how to build and track a project schedule and budget, they are also skilled in the areas of communication, negotiation, influencing and conflict management.
This presentation will use the framework of Myers Briggs, as well as other tools, as a means of developing a deeper understanding of ourselves and the people we collaborate with, and lead, on a daily basis. We will take Myers Briggs to deeper levels, highlighting not only the basic dichotomies and how they impact our management and leadership styles, but also go deeper and understand how our dominant function drives us, both in normal circumstances and under stress. We will learn how even slight adjustments in our styles can drastically improve our effectiveness and allow us to achieve better outcomes for our projects

About the Speaker

Karen Davey-Winter is an Executive and Life Coach who has trained with the College of Executive Coaching and Coach U. She is a certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner and also PMP Certified. She has over 20 years of experience in IT Leadership positions, in a variety of different environments, having lead teams of up to 150 people on multi billion dollar projects. She is particularly skilled at bringing cross functional teams together and aligning them toward achieving a common goal.

As part of her coaching practice she combines her extensive project management experience with her coaching skills to help individual, teams and organizations develop practical strategies to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the work environment. 

Katherine Deel

About the Program - Attracting and Nurturing Key Performers

Attracting and retaining key performers is job #1 for Project Managers who wish to pursue excellence.    We will explore various attributes that indicate you are interviewing a key performer, how to screen resumes and proven interviewing techniques.  Whether you are a Project Manager looking to recruit or searching for a new position yourself this presentation will help you fine tune your techniques so that you are prepared no matter which side of the interview table you happen to find yourself sitting behind.

Nurturing key performers is a deliberate and important element of every successful project.  It is quite simple to have an excited, motivated employee when they are first hired; but how do we sustain that excitement over time?  We will examine topics such as does likeability matter, balanced life issues, and mentoring.   Creating and maintaining a success oriented environment that cultivates creativity and loyalty throughout the project life cycle is the secret ingredient that makes projects both rewarding and fun for you and your employees.  

About the Speaker

Kathy Deel is a Senior Program Manager for Artel, Inc. who currently supports the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) working with the newly forming DoD IA Range.  She led the teams that built the Information Assurance Support Environment (IASE), Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert (IAVA) system and Net-Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) Developer’s web portal  for DoD.  Her background is in Management, Information Assurance and Information Technology.  She has a B.S. in Computer Information System (CIS).  She is an Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) and recent winner of the Toast Masters Area 2 Humorous Speech contest.  She has a CISM, PMP and CL certifications.   She lives in Lake Ridge, VA with her husband, Barry and her three children.

Corliss Jackson

About the Program -Cracking the Code: Your Federal Job Search

About the Speaker

Corliss Taylor Jackson, MPA is an expert on the Federal Government's hiring process. As a former GS-15 Human Resources Manager, she has over 10 years of hands-on work experience at the Office of Personnel Management and the US Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health. She continues to broaden her experience as President and CEO of Federal Job Results by providing consulting services to various Federal Government agencies in the areas of recruiting and hiring. Ms. Jackson's experience working with the Federal Government as a GS-15 Manager and now as a Consultant provides her with a unique "insider's view" of the Federal hiring process. She utilizes this expertise to translate her client's background into the special "Federal language" and "Federal format"required to gain the attention of the Federal hiring staff. 

As a Certified Federal Career Counselor, Certified Federal Job Search Specialist and Certified Federal Resume Specialist, she is a community-focused business woman committed to helping professionals in transition during this challenging economic period. Ms. Jackson and her staff provide
individual guidance to job seekers around the world and deliver several on-line and traditional training courses on how to "Crack the Code" of the Federal hiring process. They provide expert guidance on qualifying for Federal jobs, writing Federal resumes that get positive results and addressing KSAs using a powerful formula. Ms. Jackson is
responsible for creating hundreds of Federal applications resulting in an extraordinary track record of client referrals, interviews and Federal job offers. 

Corliss Jackson holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She earned the designation of Certified Professional with the International Personnel Management Association and is an active volunteer with multiple
community organizations

Jane Lovas

About the Program - Failing Forward

Are you paralyzed by the thought of failure? If so you’re not alone. The thought of failing paralyzes most of us.  Unfortunately never failing is not going to happen, unless you never do anything.  How can you as a leader change your “Fear of Failure” into “Stepping into Your Future” for yourself and your team?  Use Jane’s 6 Tips to Failing Forward to change your attitude and bring success closer faster.

6 tips to Failing Forward

• Change your definition of Failure
• Who defines a failure as a failure
• Stop the Insanity
• Let go of Failures
• Get more Failures

Once you change your attitude toward failure you’ll see that “Failure” is not the forbidden word you thought it was.

About the Speaker

A dynamic speaker and program leader, Jane Lovas tailors her message to her audience using personal stories that are delivered with wit and humor.  
Jane Lovas has over 15 years of project management and consulting.  She has managed projects for a variety of industries including telecommunications and financial companies.  Project sizes have ranged from hundreds of thousands of dollars to 3-4 million dollars.  She has managed software development projects along with business process projects.   Jane is often called in when projects are in trouble and need to be gotten back on track.  In addition her background includes 7 years of software development.

Jane is now using this experience to help companies and their employees define their purpose and clarify their goals.   Successful companies and individuals like successful projects must have a clear purpose and goals with a plan on how to reach their goals.
An experienced consultant to major companies such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Washington Mutual, Fannie Mae, Nextel and XO Communications, Jane has a proven track record of successfully turning around failing projects while improving morale, communication, and team cohesiveness.  She is highly skilled at conducting rapid assessments of organizational needs and priorities, zeroing in on potential problem areas, and recommending and implementing workable solutions for both individuals and corporations.  Jane makes her home in Fairfax, Virginia.

Jane is available to speak at business meetings, brown bag lunch, quarterly corporate meetings, association meetings, workshops and seminars.
For more information on Jane check out her website www.lovasconsulting.com or read her blog at blog.lovasconsulting.com.  Follow Jane on twitter at www.twitter.com/jlovas or friend her on Facebook.

Jane’s speaking topics include:
Surviving the Corporate Jungle: 7 tips for Managing Change, looks at how to bring about successful change within a company.

How to NOT have a successful IT project is a light hearted look at the reality of many software projects with some great take-aways on what not to do.

Living a Life of Passion: On Purpose, a look at the importance of finding your purpose and doing everything with passion.

Jane’s Seminars and Workshops include:
JumpStart 2010™ The goal setting workshop that takes you beyond where you believe you can go.  This is a two day workshop in which the participants leave with an updated mission/purpose, their goals calendared, a Living Vision™ of what their business will look like and an accountability partner.

Creating a Life of Passion and Purpose is a 12 week tele-seminar where participants are guided through the process of defining their mission and what they want their life to look like.

Dave Maurer

About the Program: The Job Search Process (and More…)

This presentation provides the job candidate with useful and timely information and insights into what is typically unfamiliar territory – the job search process.  Many professionals have not participated in the job search process for a long time and things have changed.  We will review and discuss the full range of topics associated with the process including: skills identification and transfer; the self-appraisal, job search strategies, resume writing, interview preparation, and closing the deal. This fast-paced hour will help get you started or serve to reinforce key winning strategies that you may have already underway.

About the Speaker

Dave Maurer is a Vice President for Inverness Technologies, Inc. located in Northern Virginia. Inverness is a full-service management consulting firm and recognized leader in providing comprehensive strategies for the efficient and effective management of information and technology for both government and private industry. He formerly served as the Project Director for the Continental United States Military Transition Assistance Program with Inverness and earlier as a Vice President with Axiom Resource Management, Inc. In his various leadership capacities, he has supervised more than 1600 staff members, trainers and soldiers while ensuring quality service and support to all clients and customers.  

Dave is a native of Trenton, New Jersey and earned his bachelors degree in economics from Seton Hall University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army’s Adjutant General Corps through the ROTC program there.  He served in a wide variety of command and staff positions in the United States and overseas throughout his 22-year military career.  His service included tours with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon and culminated as the 72nd Adjutant General at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  

He holds a master’s degree in management from Central Michigan University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a certified trainer through the National Veterans Training Institute. He has always been active in the community, serving as a director of several civic organizations and as a Hospice volunteer.  He has served as a member of the board of directors of the USO of Metropolitan New York City, the Washington DC Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), the George Washington Chapter of the Association of the United States Army and the Heritage Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and has held leadership positions with Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.   
 
As a professional speaker and trainer, Dave offers a wide variety of relevant topics for diverse audiences and organizations.  His clients have included the World Bank, the CIA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force, several PMI chapters, faculty members at West Point, the National Summit on Project Management Excellence, and large corporations within the private sector. He has also guest lectured for the University of Maryland’s MBA Program and the Virginia Tech Executive MBA Program.  Dave is a member of the National Speakers Association.
He is the co-author of the book, “Are You the King or Queen of Conflict in Project Management?” published in 2008. 

Nancy Mitchell

About the Program - Business Etiquette --The Power of People Skills

Did you know that 85% of your success in business is based on your people skills? Your attitude and behavior toward others are as important as your technical abilities and experience. Employers and clients look for the human qualities that make the difference in business relationships—courtesy, respect and reliability.  How do your manners measure up?

Join The Etiquette Advocate to polish your people skills and raise your etiquette IQ. Companies call these soft skills, but they are a hardworking tool in your business toolkit. Improve your etiquette skills and not only will you outclass the competition, but you will build better business relationships.

About the Speaker

Nancy R. Mitchell is a nationally recognized etiquette and protocol consultant and trainer with more than 30 years of experience in the field.  Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University, Washington, DC, where she developed and teaches protocol courses in the School of Business and in the Career Center, and at Stratford University, Falls Church, VA. She serves also as protocol and special events consultant to the Library of Congress, the world’s largest library and cultural center.

For 23 years, Mitchell was director of special events and protocol at the Library of Congress where she and her staff were responsible for planning and managing over 400 events each year.  She coordinated the institution’s major special events, visits of heads of state and other distinguished visitors, galas, conferences and meetings.  As the Library’s chief protocol advisor, Mitchell served as liaison to the White House, U.S Department of State, the Congress, the Supreme Court and other government agencies, embassies, academia and corporations.

Mitchell owns and manages The Etiquette Advocate, Inc. (www.etiquetteadvocate.com), a firm providing etiquette and protocol training and consulting to corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, embassies, universities, the travel and hospitality industry and individuals.  She is quoted on matters of etiquette and protocol by CNN, ABC Nightline, Martha Stewart Living Radio, The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Washington Business Journal, the Associated Press and Washingtonian magazine, has been featured on ABC Good Morning America, Fox News and National Public Radio, and is an etiquette columnist for Experience.com, etiquette consultant to Engaged! magazine, and technical editor of Wedding Etiquette for Dummies (Wiley, 2010).   She is co-owner and founding partner of the firm, Protocol Partners-Washington Center for Protocol, Inc.  (www.theprotocolpartners.com), and is a member of the Protocol and Diplomacy International Protocol Officers Association.

Ken Mosteller

About the Program - Why Project Management is not Industry Specific

Most project managers spend their entire career in a specific industry leading to industry specific ways of managing projects.  After all, managing a project in the defense sector is different then managing a project in financial services which is different then managing a high tech project.  These are all true, but inaccurate statements.

Industry projects are different, but by definition every project is different, so why is managing a project in one industry different then another industry?  The answer is simple. Pure project management processes:  planning, scheduling, tracking and controlling, are the same in all projects.  .  The differences are found on the product side of the equation and are often confused with the project side of the equation.

Part One of this presentation will illustrate why the product knowledge is not a subset of the PM Competency, but a separate competency in its entirety.  Part Two will demonstrate the simple process of applying the PM concepts regardless of the industry.

About the Speaker

Ken Mosteller, President -The Center for Systems Management has managed or taught project management in 22 separate industries over the past 20 years.  His experience ranges from a simple financial services maintenance project, to manufacturing, to supporting drug development projects, to aviation.

Alex Pavlak

About the Program - The Future of Energy Systems

Climate change and concern over CO2 emissions will change the way the world produces and consumes energy. This will be a massive 40 year tectonic shift. Aligning careers with sustainable solutions should be productive. This talk will be mainly about planning and the major long term challenges. Rational planners (PMPs, strategic planners, systems engineers) start with the strategic goal, conduct scenario analysis, create a vision, develop a plan and then policy. This is not the way the world is planning for the future of energy. This talk is taken from a paper to be published in the November issue of the American Scientist.

About the Speaker

Alex Pavlak is a Professional Engineer with 40 years' experience managing a wide variety of R&D programs. His core competencies are systems architecture, energy systems and combining systems engineering with fact based policy making. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. Address: 315 Dunham, Ct., Severna Park, MD 21146 1670. Email: thales@comcast.net

Michael R. Van Dyke

About the Program - Developing Leadership Potential in Yourself and Others

Mastery of management techniques stands out in the title of “Project Manager”. Less obvious in the title, leadership skills distinguish excellent from average project management. The measure of effective leadership lies in the productivity of the entire project team – getting the results outlined in the project plan on time and on budget. Often individuals are put in charge of projects because they are “good workers” - achieving specific individual outcomes. Individual goals are tactical efforts. Leadership requires a more strategic view and the ability to co-ordinate the activities of others. The question becomes: how does one grow from being good a completing tasks to developing the skills to lead?

During this one-hour presentation, we will first define a skill set for leadership – initiative, effective spoken and written communication, self-awareness, empathy, and the consistent ability to get results. Whether we identify these traits in ourselves or in our team members, we can recognize and grow leadership capabilities. Next, we will explore strategies to increase competence in the leadership skills as part of regular project work. Finally, the participants will record ‘next steps’ for themselves to put into action when they return to work.

About the Speaker

After 25 years as a project manager for theater, music, and dance productions, Michael R. Van Dyke established and is President of Serengeti Enterprises, Inc. His company provides training, and workforce development services to business teams and individuals. He is a certified coach (NCC) through the Newfield Network and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). He has been on the faculty at Yale University, Dartmouth College, and Amherst College. In addition to customized training, Mr. Van Dyke offers open enrollment seminars through the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and has presented several popular courses in the PMIWDC-NOVA educational alliance. Mr. Van Dyke received a master’s degree from Yale University and was recognized with the Virginia Community College System Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Workforce Trainer/Instructor.

Kelvin K. Womack

About the Program:  Personal Branding

About the Speaker

Kelvin K. Womack joined Deloitte Consulting LLP in 2009 as a Principal in Public Services Healthcare.  He is responsible for and involved in a wide range of engagements covering business and information systems strategy development, systems integration, program management, and business transformation.  Mr. Womack is a passionate proponent of innovation as a core component of strategic planning and solution development.  He is equally passionate about and committed to the strategic development of people throughout the organization.  His deep rooted and long standing client relationships are testament to his ability to build bridges across business units to bring the best possible solutions and resources to bear on the toughest client challenges.

Prior to coming to Deloitte, Mr. Womack was Senior Vice President at BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting), leading its $180 million Public Sector Healthcare business.  He led a team of 750 health care and technology professionals who provided management and systems consulting services to the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), all US Department of Defense (DoD) health care clients, commercial payer and commercial provider organizations.  He was awarded BearingPoint’s Global Top Performer of the Year Award in 2002, and received a Top Performer for Sales and Business Leadership Award in 2006.  Mr. Womack also led BearingPoint’s Leadership Development Program with the Yale University School of Management, where he was responsible for installing leadership and consulting curricula for 17,000 employees.  Mr. Womack is a contributing author to Knowledge Management: The Catalyst for Electronic Government.

Prior to joining KPMG Peat Marwick in 1988 Mr. Womack was an Officer in the United States Marine Corps, leading Marine units in command, control and communications.  In 1986 he was recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps as the US Marines Air Command and Control Top Performer of the Year.

Mr. Womack serves on the Executive Team, Board of Directors of the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  He also leads Deloitte’s philanthropic efforts in support of National Veterans Wounded Warrior program.