president@pmi-nefl.org

Robert recently embarked on the opportunity to form his own management consulting company, Higher Horizons LLC, providing services in: leadership and staff development, project management support, business analysis, process improvement, and records management..

Previously, Robert worked for the St John River Water Management District. He began his career as a Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS) and moved up the ranks into senior management. Robert has worked on projects involving GIS and regulatory information interactive web applications, imaging regulatory documents, data cleanup and enhancements, human resources, and records management. Robert naturally assumes a leadership role with a commitment to successful outcomes in whatever endeavor he undertakes.

He received his PMP credentials in May of 2007. He holds both a Masters in Business in computer systems and information management, and an MBA. Robert is currently a candidate to become a Certified Records Manager, having successfully completed the first five parts of the six part certification. Robert's background includes strengths in both geographic and non-geographic data analysis, project management, and process improvement, and leadership. A strong communications background both written and oral and emphasize collaborative approaches to management rounds out his experience.

membership@pmi-nefl.org

Gene Curtin, PMP has worked most of his professional career with troubled companies in turnaround situations in roles ranging from Director to CIO. For the past several years, Gene has been the Director of Operations for Etchasoft Incorporated, a Jacksonville-based technology consulting firm (and most definitely not a turnaround candidate) where he acts as project manager for the firm’s portfolio of clients in Florida, Indiana, Illinois and Connecticut.

Gene received a BA, Mathematics from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY and an MBA from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA.

In the role of the chapter’s VP/Membership, Gene will work to increase outreach to PMI certificate holders, those who may be candidates for certification and to the existing PMI-NEFL membership.

marketing@pmi-nefl.org

Melissa Dent, PMP, has over ten years of project management experience, primarily focused in the heath care information technology industry. Melissa received her BS in Business Administration from Jacksonville University, and Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. She completed her Project Management Professional certification in 2005. Melissa currently works as a project manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

Melissa has been a member of PMI and the NEFL chapter since 2005, becoming active as a volunteer for chapter communications in 2008. She is also a member of the Women in Project Management Specific Interest Group and recently served as a SIG Ambassador during the 2008 Regional Conference in October.

In the role of VP of Chapter Communications, Melissa will be responsible for continuing the timely dissemination of information both to and from the Chapter membership. She is also committed to improving chapter communications, as well as, increasing member retention and volunteerism.

communications@pmi-nefl.org

Kevin Johns is a project professional with over 20 years experience leading and managing a wide variety of projects. As a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force Kevin was instrumental in defining and delivering productivity enhancing projects across the industrial complex. Kevin helped stand up the TQM practice at Seymour Johnson, AFB; helping develop and then delivering the multiple training courses as well as facilitative quality team support. Kevin retired from the USAF in 1995.

Following retirement, Kevin has worked for Bank of America (or predecessor companies) in multiple capacities including bank card quality assurance, internal consulting, process and technology project development and delivery, leading a technology communications team, and standing up and leading a technology team PMO. Most recently Kevin has branched into strategic and business planning within the real estate group at the bank.

Kevin received his BS in Business Administration from Mt. Olive College, in Mt. Olive, NC, and an MS in Management from Florida State University. Kevin earned his Project Management Professional certification in October 2008. He has been a member of PMI and the NEFL chapter since 2008.

In the role of VP, Communications, Kevin will continue the great work done by his predecessors through sharing informative and timely chapter updates and requests. He is committed to partnering with chapter leadership and members to disseminate the right message at the right time to the right audience. Kevin is also on the Board of Directors at WestGate Church in Jacksonville, and Living NEW Ministries.

education@pmi-nefl.org

Jaime has over ten years of IT experience, ranging from web development to database administration and development, as well as project management. Jaime received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of North Florida. In addition to being a certified project management professional, certified scrum master and six sigma green belt, Jaime is also an active member of Toastmasters and other IT user groups in the community.

In her role of Director of Education, Jaime will be assisting with educational workshops.

education@pmi-nefl.org

Pam Kota, PMP has a diverse background of over a decade of organizational management, project, and process experience. Pam has served in a variety of roles including CIO, IT Director, Manager, Project Manager, PMO Director, and others.

Pam received her Master’s in Business Administration and Master’s in Computer Application, Bachelor of Science (Major: Mathematics), 8i Oracle Master Database Administrator , Certified Scrum Master and is a Project Management Professional. Additionally, Pam has Oracle 8i, 9i, 10g, SQL Server 2000, 2005, Solaris, AIX, 9i OEM, 10g Grid, Oracle and UNIX System Administration certificates.

Pam is currently an IT Manager at Kemper Services Group and is in the process of relocating to Jacksonville.

finance@pmi-nefl.org

Craig Wilcox has a varied skillset and experience, including owning his own consulting and web hosting business, sales, project and operations management, training class delivery and development as well as technology consulting. 

Craig recieved his B. Comp Sci from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology in 1984, specializing in Software Engineering, Networking and programming languages.

His additional interests include home automation (Smart House), playing and coaching various sports and woodworking.

internet@pmi-nefl.org

Terry Shuya is a management consultant in the health care insurance industry but has previously worked in banking, retail, trust, justice and government (fire, transit, utilities, taxes, social services) areas and promotes the use of Agile methodologies.

Along with 20+ years of experience in IT and project management he holds an Information Systems Professional (ISP) designation from the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) and the Information Technology Certified Professional (ITCP) accreditation.

His goal is to support the technology needs of the board. A major focus will be to provide a website that will allow board members with the tools to manage their own content, and ultimately provide a very positive user experience for our membership. Feedback from membership, working cooperatively with board members and assistance from volunteers will be crucial for success.

sprojects@pmi-nefl.org

David Starosta, PMP has a diverse background in technology infrastructure, sales, construction, project management and group training for DISC, Myers Briggs profiling and soft skills.

He attended Lewis University in Romeoville, IL and earned a BA in Business Administration and Marketing. After completing college, he took a position in the iSeries software market as an Inside Sales Manager. After 5 years in the iSeries arena, he had the opportunity to move into management at Centex Homes, a fortune 250 company.

During the six years at Centex Homes he advanced to Division Warranty Manager in Jacksonville, Florida. As one of the youngest managers performing this role in the nation, he expanded his skill set by conducting corporate training in Myers Briggs, DISC and NLP techniques to sales, service and division management to help increase J.D. Power and Associate and customer service scores.

Presently, he has earned his PMP credential, and is working as a Department Manager for Service Master Clean in Jacksonville where he lives with his wife and two children.

brian.phillips@pmi-nefl.org

Brian Phillips, PMP has a diverse background of over a decade of consulting, project and program management, business process improvement, and organizational management experience. Brian has successful experience in a variety of roles including Project Manager, Program Manager, PMO Director, and others. Brian works as a project Delivery Executive with Idea, the enterprise IT consulting services division of Adecco.

Brian received his BS in Business Administration – Finance from the University of Central Florida, is a Six Sigma Green Belt, and a Project Management Professional. Brian is a member of PMI’s Information Systems Special Interest Group, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Information Technology Council.
 

email Jill

Jill Miranda is the third generation that was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She has extensive experience in Sales and Marketing. Jill received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Jacksonville University and received her Masters Degree from Webster University in Management and Leadership graduating with honors in both cases.

Jill is a new member assuming the dual role of Director of Membership and Marketing where she will assist with the development and implementation of a comprehensive membership development program, including new members, retention of current members and volunteer solicitation and utilization for chapter activities. Additionally she will assist in the development of marketing collateral to support normal chapter functions as well as our numerous community outreach initiatives.

She is also a member of the new NEFL PMI Chapter Toastmasters Group as VP of Membership and is actively engaged in the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

john.watson@pmi-nefl.org

John Watson, PMP has extensive leadership and management experience with thirty five years in the communications industry with AT&T and BellSouth. During that time he served as an operations, project, staff and program manager.

John has a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Eckerd College and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Villanova. John served as a volunteer conference coordinator for the NEFL PMI chapter’s conference in 2007 and was Chapter President for 2008 and 2009.

In addition to his volunteer activities and pursuing his recreational interests, he is currently self employed providing consulting services in organizational development, project and program management.

Additional interests and activities include mentoring and promoting the value of Project Management as a profession and developing the pipeline of future project managers and leaders.