PMI Memphis
2014 Board of Directors Nominees
Voting is open to all active PMI Memphis Chapter members.
Please review candidate biographies, complete and return ballot to a member of the
2014 PMI Memphis Election Committee.
Position / Nominee / BioPresident / Kenneth Watkins / Kenneth Watkins is originally from Memphis, TN, graduating from Overton High School and subsequently completed a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering at Florida A& M University. Kenneth is a Senior Business Analyst at FedEx Express. His primary role is coordinating the user acceptance testing of major cross-OPCO projects. Prior to his current role as a Business Analyst Kenneth served as a Project Manager for 10 years in the PMO.
Kenneth has served the Memphis chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2001 as a volunteer instructor, VP of Membership, VP of Education (two terms), Director of Professional Development, and is currently serving as the President of the chapter. In his spare time he serves as board President of Hearts of Christ Youth Outreach and is very active in his church.
Vision Statement:
My vision is to strengthen the Memphis community through promoting the project management profession and giving back to the community. I want to leverage the PMI membership to help Memphis area businesses to integrate project management skills into their business models thus contributing to the success of the business. I want to educate, not only the project management professional but also the younger generations to the core skills that project management brings to the table. Finally, I want to provide the members of our organization with tools to succeed in their job and in their lives.
VP Finance / Laura Beth Matson / I have a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi andam a project manager with FedExFinancial Systemslocated in Memphis, TN. Iama certified PMP and have over15 years experiencein the project management field specializing in Financial and HR systems. Currently, I am serving on the Memphis PMI Board as the Board Secretary.I have volunteered in other capacities, such as serving as the American Dialogue Series chair for the Junior League of Memphis for 2 consecutive years. Most importantly, I am married and have 3 children
VP Technology / Lee Cross / Lee Cross currently works as a project manager for Williams-Sonoma in their Memphis, TN data center after relocating here 9 months ago. His primary role is managing projects with warehouse, transportation, manufacturing and/or EDI applications. He is a certified PMP and has over 15 years experience in project management in the IT supply chain/ logistics industry. Previous companies include UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Macy’s Systems and Technology located in the Atlanta, GA area. He has a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and MBA/ MS Finance degrees from Georgia State University. Lee wants to become active in the PMI Memphis chapter and is looking forward to helping out wherever needed. Lee’s hobbies include exercising, reading, cooking, watching movies and listening to music.
VP Technology / David Delgado / Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, MS in Marine Biology and MS in Statistics from the University of Mexico. MBA from University of Phoenix in Technology Management.
Worked as a Professor in the Marine Science institute at University of Mexico, Consultant and Project Leader for Softtek Integration Systems.
Have been with International Paper for 13 years as business analyst in the MES group in Manufacturing.
VP Technology / Jacqueline L.
Payne, MBA,
PMP® BIO / Jacqueline has in-depth Information Systems, Project Management and Business experience in diverse industries inclusive of Internal Revenue Service, General Electric, Hospital, Casino & Hotel, and FedEx (Service, Express and TechConnect).
Jacqueline Payne leads the Project Management Professional (PMP®) efforts in FedEx’s Fraud and Security Controls under WW Revenue Ops strategic development of global Security product portfolio processes and standards.
Prior to assuming her current role in April of 2010, Jacqueline held Business Systems Advisor in position is Express Business Systems as the lead Project Management Professional (PMP®) expert in large projects integrating multiple groups under the Air Operation Division in support of replacing legacy Systems: Weather System, Catering System and Pilot Training/Certification applications.
Jacqueline studied Computer Engineering at the Herff College of Engineering where she received her Bachelor of Science in Computer System Engineering Technology (BSCE) undergraduate degree from University of Memphis, Tennessee and her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Regis University Denver, Colorado. She received her PMI Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification in February of 2005 and has been a member or the Memphis PMI chapter since 2005. Jacqueline will acquire her PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) ® in 2013.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- Web/Technology Board of Directors for SIM: 2009-2013
- NEXUS Leadership Program (Mentor): 2008-2010
- New Memphis Institute (Leadership Academy) Fellows Program: 2004-2005
- Junior League of Memphis Board of Directors Organization Development/ Training: 2004-2008
- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMP -ACP®): Pending 2013 (***Includes Scrum methodologies)
- Villanova Master Data Management 2013; Business Intelligence 2012; Master Certificate in Six Sigma 2011
- Regis University Masters of Business Administration (Operations) MBA Program: 2009
- PMI: Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification: 2005
- University of Memphis: Bachelor of Science in Computer System Engineering Technology: 1988
VP Communications / Public Relations / Michael Fulton, PMP / Michael Fulton (Mike) is currently serving on the Board of Directors as VP of Education. Over the last 2 years he has led an all volunteer education team comprising of 50+ PMI professionals. He delivered stellar financial results by growing student registrations in the PMP Exam Prep program. He attributes this success to customer focused services, networking, and marketing activities.
He is an Avionics Engineering and Management Professional with over 30 years of experience. He works at FedEx Express as Project Engineer practicing configuration control on Boeing, Airbus, and Douglas aircraft. Prior to joining FedEx, Mike managed and worked technical positions in product R&D, operations, maintenance, and manufacturing at several companies including Simon & Associates, Avionics Specialist, Auditronics, and Harbin Electronics. He also served six years active duty in the US Navy and provided support for Operation Desert Storm.
Mike received his Master’s in Engineering Management from Christian Brother’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Memphis. He earned a Graduate Certificate in Project Management and is a current PMP. He holds a certificate in StrategicDecision and Risk Management (SDRM) from Stanford University. Plus, he is working on Stanford’s advance project management certificate. He is a member of the Engineering Management Honor Society, the Society of Decision Professionals (SDP), and the Decision Analysis Affinity Group (DAAG).
VP Professional Development / Keith Brewer / Keith Brewer is a Project Mgmt Principal at FedEx Services. He has 25 years of experience ranging from App Developer, IT Mgr, IT Consultant to Program Manager. He has a BS in Computer Science and an MBA in Int’l Mgmt from the University of Memphis. He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Program for Human Relations and Effective Communications.He is a PMP and has been working on the Academic Outreach Program for PMI Memphis for the last 7 years. He has been active in the chapter, volunteering for events (like the recent Professional Development Day), and served as Teaching Fellow, University of Memphis Project Management Course MIS3885. He is honored to be nominated for the PMI Memphis Board of Directors, and will enthusiastically serve as Vice President, Programs if elected.
VP Special Events / Sherry Gray / Senior project management professional with a successful record of career and professional growth in project management, resource planning and information technology. Has a reputation for being a thoughtful, effective partner while delivering results with reliability and professionalism. Combines excellent communication skills, problem resolution abilities and people management insights to deliver both regional and global projects successfully.
VP Publications / Alicia Miller / Alicia Miller holds the following certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB), and Manager of Process Excellence (CMPE). She has over 20+ years of experience as a project consultant, project manager, program manager, manager and director, covering a wide range of business sectors that include manufacturing, financial services, banking, professional services, telecommunications consulting, government, medical, professional development & training, and higher education.
She received her BS from Christian Brothers University and her MBA from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Ms. Miller is married and has two dogs. She enjoys gardening, reading, travel, golf, and volunteering in her community. She is currently a board member for the Memphis chapter of Project Management International (PMI).
VP Programs / Ralph M Sacharczyk / Ralph is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has over 25 years of experience as a project consultant, project manager and program manager covering a wide range of business sectors that include transportation, logistics, entertainment, lodging, retail, and also the government sector. Most of his experience is with Federal Express, Harrah's Entertainment, and currently with International Paper.
- Ralph joined International Paper in January of 2009. He completed the migration of the You +1'd this publicly.WeyerhaeuserDenver Data Center to our Southwind Data Center in Memphis. He also was the project manager on several legacy system retirement projects along withthe global project initiative to upgrade the Windows Server 2000 Operating System including the global server refresh. He is currently the project manager on the integration of the Temple Inland’s Austin Data Center to our Data Center at Southwind in Memphis.
VP Membership / Michele Billings / Michele Billings’ twenty year professional career has encompassed the roles: Educator for the visually impaired; Training and Development at United Parcel Service/International Division; Director of Human Resources, Project Management of Business Development, Construction Project Management and Management of Finance and Growth for dental healthcare clinics.
This past year, Michele decided to take advantage of an opportunity to invest in her development of knowledge. She re-entered the field of education, but not to teach the visually impaired as she had done earlier in her career.Michele is currently enrolled in University of Memphis’ MSBA program in the field of Management of Information System. In addition she is pursuing a certificate in Software Testing and an additional certification in Business Information Assurance.
She has managed many volunteer projects that have been centered on her children’s activities, church and community. The volunteer responsibilities have included Regional Inter-Faith Association, church community sponsored Room in the Inn, and Relay for life.
Michele looks forward to involvement and responsibility in the Memphis professional associations of Project Management Institute (PMI) and American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).
Secretary / Sandy Hilliard / Sandy Hilliard has been a Business Analyst with FedEx Express for five years. Previously, her experience has been managing healthcare entities. She has a Master of Health Services Administration from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS and a BA in Sociology from Ole Miss. Currently, she is the coordinator for user testing on domestic and international HUB scanning solutions.
Ms. Hilliard has been a member of PMI for 3 years and is also a member of IIBA. She has volunteered to assist the local PMI chapter VP of Education with certification classes for the past year and is eager to continue supporting the 2013 PMI Organization – Memphis Chapter, Board of Directors in the capacity of Secretary.
PMI Memphis
2014 Board of Directors Ballot
President□Kenneth Watkins
VP Finance
□Laura Beth Matson
VP Technology
□Lee Cross
□Jacqueline L Payne
□David Delgado
VP Communications / Public Relations
□Michael Fulton, PMP
VP Professional Development
□Keith Brewer
VP Special Events
□Sherry Gray
VP Publications
□Alicia Miller
VP Programs
□Ralph M Sacharczyk
VP Membership
□Michele Billings
Secretary
□Sandy Hilliard
Voting is open to all active PMI Memphis Chapter members.
Completed ballots should be returned to members of the 2014 PMI Memphis Election Committee.
Thank you.