Blog

 

The theme was “45 Years Strong: Bridging Projects, People, and Purpose.” This is especially fitting for Pittsburgh. Ours is a city of bridges—446 to be exact—and just like those bridges connect neighborhoods, cultures, and communities, project managers connect people, resources, and ideas to make something greater than the sum of its parts. 

We honor the past 45 years of achievement and look ahead to the future of project management in Pittsburgh. Together, we will continue to build bridges—bridges that span industries, technologies, and generations. 

How it started:

In 1978, Milo Prisuta learned about PMI during a business trip to Chicago. He was impressed with the benefits he saw through the adoption of proven project management practices. He brought that back, and thus began our chapter.

Early growth was achieved by chapter officers partnering with other professional organizations with strong ties to project management. This helped us to build a good reputation, strong relationships, and recruit more members.

We initially focused on engineering and construction firms, as well as local universities and colleges. The chapter added Dr. David Cleland from the University of Pittsburgh to our roster. He already had national recognition for his project management knowledge and expertise, and added to the legitimacy of the chapter.

This chapter began with approximately eight members in 1980.

PMI Pittsburgh became a cornerstone for professionals in our region - helping project managers build not just successful projects, but strong careers and lasting friendships. Like the steel that built our city, this community is resilient, adaptable, and built to last.

 

How it's going:

The chapter continued to grow and has transformed along with the region as it’s changed from industrial to a tech hub. With the dramatic growth of banking, healthcare, and our world-class universities, there is growth in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and emerging technologies.

We are staying relevant in both advancing the profession of project management and continuing to resonate with the needs of our local community and members.

We have 1,625 members, with nearly 1,100 holding at least one certification.

 

 

 

This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the time and effort of our volunteers. We operate as a volunteer-driven entity, creating a hub for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and collaborate with their peers.

Running this chapter is no small feat - our geography is vast, spanning the OH, MD, and WV borders, up to Erie, and out to State College.

The PMI Pittsburgh Chapter is not just a network; it is a community committed to empowering individuals in their pursuit of excellence in project management. By nurturing collaboration, we strive to elevate the standards of project management practices within the region and beyond.

We have accomplished a tremendous amount over these last 45 years, and I’m confident that we will achieve even more together.