PM Fundamentals
The New RMC URMC Classroom Instructors
Rita Mulcahy, PMP, MBA
Founder and CEO, RMC Project Management
Rita Mulcahy is an internationally recognized expert on project management techniques, advanced project management theory, risk management and the PMP® Exam. She has over 15 years and US $2.5 billion worth of hands-on project experience, as well as five best-selling project management resources to her credit. Rita speaks to thousands of executives and project managers each year and has a reputation for helping people to learn and to have fun while doing it. Rita's book Risk Management, Tricks of the Trade® for Project Managers was given the prestigious Professional Development Product of the Year Award by the Project Management Institute.
Jeffrey S. Nielsen, PgMP, PMP, MSCIS
Senior Instructor and PM Trainer
As RMC's first and most senior instructor, Jeff Nielsen has trained thousands of project managers on a variety of topics. His enthusiasm and knowledge are the perfect combination for a fun, comprehensive review of project management fundamentals, advanced project management techniques or PMP® exam preparation. Jeff has been a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® since 1997 and a member of PMI® since 1995. He has been active in developing a PMI® chapter, presented at several PMI Global Congresses, and worked with PMI on a number of activities—including as an advisor to the PMI® Board of Directors on the IS Advisory Committee (ISAC).
Jeff has over 20 years of project management experience on over $187 million worth of IS, IT, new facility development and airline industry projects. He not only knows project management but has the real-world experience to tailor his courses to students' needs. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Thomas and a master's degree from Boston University.
Sonja Almlie, PMP
Instructor and PM Trainer
With over 20 years of experience, Sonja offers a wide range of real-world experience managing projects in IT, web technology, process optimization, usability and marketing. She has served as adjunct faculty at The University of St. Thomas' Center for Business Excellence, and has taught Advanced Certificate PM courses in Time Management, Communications Management, Requirements & Charter, Procurement Management, Systems Thinking and The Project Management Office. Sonja brings extensive industry-specific experience in the financial services, non-profit and transportation sectors, and worked most recently at Ameriprise Financial—#296 in the 2008 Fortune 500 rankings.
Sonja is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®, and holds a certificate in Project Management from The University of St. Thomas. She is also currently enrolled in The University of Michigan's Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Program.
Roger Thomas Kent, PMP, MA
Faculty Instructor and PM Trainer
Roger is a seasoned training professional with a master's degree in Communications Theory. He has designed a number of specialized project management courses for both the government and the private sector. As a PM consultant, his project management consulting experience includes projects for Hewlett-Packard, United Airlines, Levi Strauss and Pacific Bell—along with government agencies such as CalTrans, Alameda County and the United States Military. In Roger's words, he is comfortable with "T-shirt high-tech, power-tie business, and regimented military."
In addition to his instructing and consulting experience, Roger has successfully developed a number of "train the trainer" programs, one of which was delivered twice (the original presentation and an encore) at the 2005 Global Congress in Toronto, Ontario, to standing-room-only crowds. And for those who wish to have their training delivered in a language other than English—French, Spanish, German or Italian, for example—Roger will gladly accommodate your request.
Jill E. Richards, PMP
Faculty Instructor and PM Trainer
Jill is an experienced project management trainer with extensive real-world project management experience, particularly in the field of software development. She has over seventeen years of large and complex Program and Project Management experience. Jill has been responsible for all components of project management—including estimating, planning, staffing, controlling, budget management, communication, scope and schedule management, issue management, risk management and progress tracking.
Jill has been a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 1996 and was certified as a PMP® in 1998. She is a frequent speaker at PMI® events, including the PMI® Global Congress (2003 and 2005) and several other PMI®-sponsored seminars and symposiums. Jill received her management training at the University of Michigan Executive Education Center and completed her certification for Team Building for Self-Directed Teams from Zenger Miller.
Jean McKay, PMP, MSCIS
Faculty Instructor and PM Trainer
With many years working as an IT and project management professional, and over 18 years in the training industry, Jean is an experienced professional with a proven track record in all phases of technical training. She currently holds over fifteen (15) professional training certifications in both Project Management and IT, and has spent more than a decade teaching professionals how to do their jobs better, faster and more effectively.
Jean is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® , and PMP-RMP Risk Management Professional with a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. She is also certified to teach courses for a variety of Novell, Cisco, CompTIA and Microsoft certifications. Jean currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, and is an active member of the PMI Phoenix Chapter.
Sherry Pate, PMP
Faculty Instructor and PM Trainer
Sherry is a seasoned project manager with over 15 years of PM experience. She has managed multi-million dollar engagements for Fortune 500 companies throughout North America. Sherry has extensive experience in Software Development, Portfolio Management, Program Management, Project Management Tools, PMO, and Project Management Training. She has been a featured speaker at Project Management events and has strong expertise in both on-site and public Project Management training.
Sherry's enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience make her classes not only educational, but enjoyable and upbeat as well. Students have said that her extensive and varied real-world experience is what sets her apart from other instructors. Sherry is certified as a PMP and has been a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2003. She participated in Rita's classes to pass the exam and serves as a real life testimonial to the effectiveness of RMC's unique methods.