Dennis Chang is a high-tech executive with over 30-years of project management experience. His comprehensive experience includes strategic planning, business development, start-ups, marketing, product & process design, acquisition integration, and project turn-around.

Dennis has served in various leadership roles including VP of Programs at SafeNet, Director/Manager at Advance Fibre Communications (Tellabs), Lear Astronics (BAE), Teledyne, and L-3 Communications. As a Program Management expert, Dennis has created and lead six Program Management Offices in multiple industries: Aerospace, Homeland Security, Space, Defense, Telecommunications, Cyber Security and

Internet. Dennis’ experience also includes start-up companies such as Sonoma Design Group, Gluon Networks, and KDS Thyroid Clinic.

Dennis has led teams in the development, manufacturing, operation, and service of numerous high-tech products including aircraft data acquisition and processing system, telecommunications access and switching equipment, flight control system, jet pilot control stick, rate sensor system, GPS guided munitions, long-range day/night cameras, satellite control security devices, high-speed optical encryption, secure telephone equipment, and ruggedized displays for locomotives. Today, his products are used in flying jets, guiding munitions, watching over the grounds in Washington D.C., and protecting the most sensitive communications from the White House to fox holes.

In the international arena, Dennis has lived abroad in Xian, China where he designed, installed, and provided training for the data acquisition and processing systems for the Chinese Aircraft Research Center. In Korea, he initiated and developed new business for automated test stations selling to Samsung, Daewoo, and Agency for Technology Development.

Dennis is the creator of original leadership concepts including “The Art of Program Management” and “The Art of Leadership in Organizations.” Dennis is an inspirational servant leader who has managed globally diverse teams to overcome seemingly impossible problems to deliver profit and customer satisfaction exceeding expectations.

Dennis holds a Computer Engineering degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (Birthplace of the Internet) and an Advanced Project Management certificate from Stanford University. He had served on the Board of Pepperdine Graduate Business School where he received an MBA degree in Executive Management. He currently serves on the board for Project Management Institute Los Angeles.

Deby has been an active member and volunteer at the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2007, starting as VP of Finance in 2009, VP of Strategy in 2012, and President of PMI-LA chapter in 2013. She served as Region 7 Finance Advisor in 2014, and Shadow Mentor in 2015. For 2016-2018 she served as Region 7 Mentor, representing 18 chapters in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii! This year she returns to PMI-LA as the VP of Marketing & Outreach, responsible for Social Media, Targeted emails, Sponsorships, logowear and branding items, Military Outreach, and Academic Outreach.

Professionally, Deby works for Opentext/GXS (29+ years) and is currently the Technical Support Manager, Digital Certificate Management & Compliance. She has a staff of 23 direct and indirect reports. Her team is responsible for the all projects related to Certificates & Keys renewals of internal and client facing certificates as well as all Compliance and Security release projects for the Business Networks Division of OpenText.

My name is Vick Madenian. I am grateful to have the opportunity to run for the Vice President of Communications position on the 2019 PMI-LA Board of Directors. I have been involved with PMI-LA for more than a decade, specifically within the Communications team, playing many roles ranging from volunteer-at-large, to Website Director and AVP of Communications prior to joining the Board in 2018.

In my professional career, I have had the positions of Director of Project Management, Product Management, and Program Management, having led Project Management and Global Engineering teams, internal contractors and external vendors, along with being accountable for Portfolios with up to 90 Projects, and $5-$7 Million budgets; All these opportunities have given me clear insight, understanding, and the tools needed to be effective in implementing operational efficiency, “Customer First” philosophy, and the importance of grooming and mentoring team members in order to achieve success beyond expectations. All these attributes have been an integral part of my tenure as a PMI-LA volunteer. My objectives have always been to go beyond expectations of my “Customers” inside and outside of the PMI-LA Chapter.

In 2007, I was honored to have been nominated and voted by the Chapter’s Board of Directors and Nomination Committee as the Volunteer of the Year, Charlie Lopinsky Award recipient.

In 2017, I was equally honored for being recognized as the Volunteer of the Month (March 2017).

Academically, I am a CalStateLA graduate with 3 degrees:

1. Computer Information Systems

2. Production & Operations Management

3. Economics

Professionally, I am a proud:

1. PMP (since 2005)

2. CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) (2009)

3. CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner), certified by Jeff Sutherland, one of the principal founders of Agile/SCRUM.

In a fast-paced digital and Agile world, keeping up with technology and making the appropriate decisions are key to success. Understanding, practicing, and appreciating the importance of fast, consistent, and quality deliverables are important elements that pave the way to customer satisfaction, whether the customer is a fellow PMI-LA Chapter volunteer, PMI / PMI-LA Member, or the Project Management community at large. As a longtime member of the Chapter, and specifically the Communications team, I am fortunate to have had (and still have) the opportunity to inject these values of timely and quality deliverables in all the precious work I do for the PMI-LA Chapter. I value and appreciate your consideration of my nomination for the Vice President of Communications position.

Svetlana Averbukh is running for the VP of Strategy, President Elect position. She has been involved with PMI-LA since 2001 in various capacities such as Assistant VP of Finance, Seminar and Events Coordinator Organizer of Risk Management conference (with other PMI chapters), VP of Professional Development, Volunteer for PMI-LA 40th anniversary, PMP Prep course instructor (since 2002), PMI-LA Book Club volunteer and more! In her professional career, she is a Senior PM / Consultant and Project Management and eCommerce Instructure.

Hello, PMI Los Angeles! My name is Yolanda Guan, and I am running for your VP of Administration. My vision for the Administration Committee for PMI-LA is to serve and coordinate all departments for their needs and improve the integration of the organization as a whole. I look forward to achieving this vision with your support.

Hello, PMI Los Angeles! My name is Meredith Maimoni, and I am running for your VP of Finance. My vision for the Finance Committee for PMI-LA is that our chapter will be financially healthy, that budgeting will be aligned with our highest priority: serving our members, and that we will have streamlined financial processes that bring clarity to our systems and procedures. I look forward to achieving this vision with your support!

Hello, PMI Los Angeles! My name is Naser Badr and I am running for your VP of Programs. My vision for the VP of Programs is to develop and deliver forward-thinking programs relating to Project Management that will attract and add value to audience by engaging world class speakers that will address future challenges, distributions and opportunities.

My name is Khoi Pham and I am running for Vice President of Professional Development. I am a lifelong learner and believe in continuing education and professional competency. I hope to assist in developing a program that signals high standard, high value and high performance. Serving our members with classes/seminars/speakers that give them the competitive edge to be successful in their profession. Thank you for your consideration.