Spotlight on PMI North Alabama Chapter

Originally formed in 1990 as the Tennessee Valley Chapter, the PMI Chapter was renamed the North Alabama Chapter (PMI-NAC) in 2002 to better represent the area they serve. Jahazy P. Rooks has been a member of the chapter since 2016 and has served in several key roles before being elected as president for 2025. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.  

With PMI-NAC being situated in Huntsville, a high-tech city home to Redstone Arsenal, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre, and numerous Department of Defense projects. The environment fosters innovation and research, making it essential to be informed about the latest industry developments. Joining a professional community is a vital way to stay informed about the latest thinking.  

Jahazy's personal experience echoes this sentiment. He first joined the chapter while working as a program manager, managing one of the largest contracts in his organization. "I was excited to be part of the chapter" he shared, "we're bringing this information back to the job to help us execute our project".   

We went on to discuss the ever-evolving nature of the Project Management profession.  Technological advancements have allowed the profession to become much more communicative to the point where Jahazy argues it is one of the most critical skills for a project manager to have. With constant access to data, Project Managers can update stakeholders on project metrics in ways that they simply couldn't just 10 years ago. With the rapid advance of Artificial Intelligence, the profession continues to evolve.  

PMI-NAC emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of the curve, which comes through clearly in the chapter's mission statement: 

'To provide leadership and value to members, communities, and industries in North Alabama through the provision of information, professional development, and activities that advance the Project Management profession.' 

In addition to acknowledging the ever-changing nature of the role, Jahazy highlighted how diverse the profession is. There is a common misconception about how narrow the field is. However, by 2030, the global economy is set to need 25 million new project professionals working across a variety of industries. Whether you're in medicine, education, business analysis – there will be a need for project professionals.  The diversity found within the profession motivates Jahazy and his team of ten Vice Presidents to develop a wide variety of opportunities for their 975 members.  

The chapter hosts breakfast and lunch meetings covering diverse subject matters like project integration, communications, stakeholder involvement, and project analysis. The goal is to educate their members about the latest developments while providing a space to learn from each other. Additionally, there are training opportunities, seminars, and networking events – making room for everyone to get involved. Furthermore, the chapter has a license with ProjectBites which gives members access to 20-minute educational videos. The bite-sized content allows members to stay informed in a way that fits their own schedules. There is truly something for everyone.  

As well as providing existing Project Managers with the opportunity to develop their skills, the chapter works hard on making the profession more accessible.  

Firstly, PMI-NAC has a Project profession awareness campaign that spreads understanding for the career and encourages people to get involved. With the substantial military presence in the region, the chapter often collaborates with military liaisons to assist service members in understanding job opportunities, writing resumes, and preparing for civilian careers. 

Secondly, the chapter lends its project management expertise to charity organizations through their 'Project Managers without Borders' scheme. Through this scheme, the chapter recently collaborated with Rose of Sharon, a non-profit that feeds homeless people while providing access to hot showers and healthcare. Through the scheme, PMI-NAC members can share their project professional knowledge and give back to their local communities. The chapter regularly collaborates with local charities, so there is always a chance to get involved.  

Overall, whether you are an experienced project manager or just getting started, PMI-NAC has something for you. Stay ahead of the curve, develop your skills, or give back to your local community.  Discover how to get involved here.