President

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president@pmi-nefl.org

Ed Thomson, PMP, has over a decade of experience as an IT Professional.  He is experienced in leadership, program management and project management in both technical and business organizations.  Ed is a certified project management professional (PMP), with extensive experience in application development, process improvement, and organizational strategy. Ed received his BS in Computer Science and MBA in Finance from California State University.
 
Ed is committed to bringing the art of project management to the masses.

VP Membership

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members@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 worked with Idea Integration since 2005, providing consulting services and solutions to private and public sector enterprises in roles including Program Manager, PMO Director, and his current role as the Director of Client Solutions.  

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 the Jacksonville Information Technology Council.   

VP Communications

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communications@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.

VP Programs

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programs@pmi-nefl.org

Michele Cochran is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over thirteen years experience in Information Technology coordinating system integration efforts across diversified groups in multiple physical locations. She has been a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2001 and received her PMP certification in 2006. Mrs. Cochran has been serving as the PMI-NEFL Director of Internet for the past four months.

Michele has over thirteen years experience in the Mortgage Banking Industry. Her strengths are Project Management, Application Testing and Business Systems Analysis. She received her Bachelor degree in Accounting from the University of West Florida and her Associates degree from the Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. Most recently, she is employed at Merrill Lynch (ML) in the Global Banking Technology group and supports Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation. She has also volunteered as a Dale Carnegie Coach for the courses facilitated on the ML campus since 2007.

VP Treasury & Finance

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finance@pmi-nefl.org

Raj Hosabettu, PMP has over 20 years of professional experience in Civil and Systems Engineering, Telecommunications and Health Care Information Technology Management.  Currently, he is a contract Senior Project Manager working with Blue Cross Blue Shields of Florida.  Raj has over 15 years of experience in financial management related to implementing large-scale project and growing the business practices for engineering companies.   Raj brings this knowledge and expertise to NEFL-PMI in managing the chapter finance ensuring the chapter members receive the maximum benefit from their chapter dues.  Raj’s interests include archery and supporting Boy Scouts Troop 225.

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internet@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.

Concern for members (customers) of the PMI-NEFL.ORG site, streamlining the site, and making the first place PMI-NEFL members think of is his ultimate aim. 

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

 past@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.