From Paige Kanode - 2019 Chapter President
It’s been a great election year for our Chapter and I am super excited to announce our new incoming Chapter Board Members. Find out more about these great volunteers here: https://pmi-swva.org/index.php/files/21/Web-Files/58/20191023-Elections-Results-Announcement-from-Chapter-Pres.pdf
Newly elected board members:
- Jeff Dillion - President
- Emily Cohen - President Elect
- Darryl Agee - VP of Communication
- Carri Edminston - VP of Programs
- Chris Riha - VP of Finance
- Heather Price - VP of Technology
Click below to read more about our new board!
Our newly elected Board members will technically start their term December 2019, but the transition period will extend through January 2020 in order to allow ample time for communication of election results to the winners by the PMI SWVA Election Committee and for the out-going officer(s) to transfer knowledge, system access, PMI-SWVA property, and relevant documentation to the in-coming officer(s).
Introducing our incoming Chapter Board Members for 2020, please welcome and congratulate:
Chapter President:
Jeff Dillon
Jeff joined PMI in 2016 and has been a member of the PMI-SWVA since February 2016. He has served on the Board of Directors as the VP of Administration/Secretary since the fall of 2016. Jeff is a program manager for a secure manufacturing facility in Radford Virginia. He brings with him over ten years of Project creation and Management experience in both manufacturing and the transportation Industries, as well as genuine excitement and enthusiasm for professional and personal improvement.
Jeff holds the following credentials from PMI; PMP®, PMI-ACP®, and CAPM®. Currently enrolled in, and close to receiving a BS-Business Administration, as well as MBA, he strives to achieve. Jeff brings credentials and experience in Lean Enterprise Solutions focusing on Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies.
Knowledgeable and a highly skilled manager, iron-willed in his dedication to serve the members of our chapter, Jeff will bring a focus of quality to chapter-member engagement. Facilitating growth and building the benefits of membership, he will be dedicated to the advancement of our craft while assuming full ownership and responsibility for every endeavor or challenge the Board approaches
President-Elect (3 year term):
Emily Cohen
Emily establishes an organized, decisive and strategic approach to leading processes and projects. She has a strong work ethic, supported by the ability to develop and cultivate relationships. She will actively engage other members of the organization and community to help promote the goals and values of PMI. Emily’s leadership will bring a balanced approach to taking the initiative required to get things done while effectively soliciting the inputs of others.
VP Communication / Marketing (2-years)
Darryl Agee
Darryl has a long distinguished track record serving our chapter as VP of Programs for over 4 terms and plans to carry over this high level of commitment and focus to this new role of VP of Communications/Marketing.
As a long-time member and board member, I am always excited to be a contributor to my SW Virginia PMI Chapter. I hope to bring this energy and excitement about PMI and project management to the role of VP of Communications/Marketing
VP of Treasury and Finance (2-years)
Chris Riha
Mr. Riha has a physics-based undergraduate degree and thesis-based MS in Health Science from James Madison University. He is a Clinical Engineer (CCE-1997), a Project Management Professional (PMP-2009), and ITIL Foundationv3, CISSP, Security +, certified (2017). He has published as primary author 7 articles in peer review journals.
I believe with my experience, and education I could provide good financial guidance and oversight to the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the Project Management Institute. If elected/selected for this position I would provide not only guidance and management but transparency to the financial records.
VP Technology (2-years) 
Heather Price
Heather is a local to the Blacksburg Area, and has always had a passion for volunteering and community outreach. She is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, has helped co-found a chapter for 100 Girls of Code in the New River Valley, and has volunteered at many events for local organizations. She has a background in web development and is currently pursuing a Project Management Career. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming and video games.
VP Programs (2-years)
Carri Edmiston
Though originally born in Southwest VA, Carri grew up in South America. After graduating from an international boarding school in Quito, Ecuador, she moved to Chicago, IL and attended North Park University. There she received a double B.A. in Communications and Youth Ministry with a minor in Art. After graduating Cum Laude Carri returned to the area and began working at the Transportation Institute at Virginia Tech. Starting in systems and equipment management, she quickly transitioned into Project Management and has been working with the Center for Technology Development for 7 years. She received her PMP certification in March of 2018 and has served on the Board of Directors as a Director at Large for the past year and a half. She currently lives in Christiansburg with her husband and 5 month old son.
Thank you to outgoing board members for your service!
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Published Nov 11th, 2019
