Calendar of Events

James T. Brown PhD, PMP, PE 

Dr. Brown has spoken to audiences from Anchorage Alaska to Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. He earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) by the National Speakers Association in 2008 Less than 10% of professional speakers worldwide have the Certified Speaking Professional designation. It is the highest earned designation in the speaking industry. Participants say his use of stories and humor bring critical truths to light, in an entertaining way that leaves them motivated to take action. He provides brilliant bluntness on real world, common sense practices for project management and leadership. An IBM executive stated after Dr. Brown’s keynote speech “If we all took the time to step back and remember what Dr. Brown taught us, we would be unstoppable in the marketplace.”

Dr. Brown has run his own company, SEBA® Solutions, for over fifteen years. He also servers as a Lecturer in the University of Central Florida College of Business. He had a career at NASA that included "hands on" experience as a team member, project manager and serving in executive level organizational leadership roles. He has a patent for a project scheduling methodology, and has received numerous awards including "Engineer of the Year" from the Cape Canaveral Technical Societies and is a recipient of the "NASA Public Service Medal" for exceptional contributions to NASA’s mission. He has a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida, a MS in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Dr. Brown is the author of The Handbook of Program Management published by McGrawHill. Now in its second edition, it continues to be the best selling book on program management since its publication in 2007. Filled with practical, real world advice, it has also been used by universities in their program management courses. Several Universities have used The Handbook of Program Management as a text and it was selected by George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs as a required text for its NASA Program Management course.

Cindricka Arrington, PMP, MSPM, MCS

Cindricka Arrington, PMP, is a global project leader, conference speaker, and author with 19 years of project and portfolio management experience. She specialized in process optimization, positive outcomes, and quick resolutions to complex situations. Ms. Arrington currently leads release product management initiatives focused on reduced costs, compliance, and business continuity as an engineering program manager within the Medtronic Spine and Biologics PMO in Memphis, TN. As a core team lead of cross-functional global teams, she recognizes attitude, aptitude, and appreciation for team members as key to market share and goal attainment. As an entrepreneur, she uses digital marketing to coach others to create impact and income by leveraging their skills, education, and experiences. She is a past recipient of the Dr. Harold Kerzner Project Management Scholarship, PMI Global Conference presenter, and has degrees in computer science, business management, project management, and Christian studies.

Sam Sargent, JD, PMP

Sam Sargent serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Prior to becoming a member of the authority’s senior management team, Sam served as project manager in the agency’s Community Engagement office. In his current role, Sam focuses on Project Connect, the region’s long-range high capacity transit plan, microtransit and first-mile/last-mile solutions, and small city pilot projects. Sam holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. He serves on the Downtown Commission in Austin and is a board member of Movability, the region’s travel demand management non-profit. Sam is a two-time Austin Under 40 finalist and a 2019 Mass Transit 40 Under 40 award winner. He is an active runner and rower, living in Central Austin with his wife, Orsi, and dog Gracie. He has had his PMP since October 2019.

Rick A Morris, PMP, CHBC

Rick is the owner of R2 Consulting and is an evangelist for project management. He is an internationally sought-after speaker delivering keynote presentations for conferences and PMI events around the world. At the age of 11, Rick was a Walt Disney World Performer. In high school, he worked on the New Mickey Mouse Club. Taking the experience of his youth and blending it with the knowledge he attained throughout his career, Rick has been able to inspire and mentor many project managers. His blend of experience and delivery style makes his passion for the profession contagious.

Candy Barone, CMCP, MBA, BSME CEO & Founder

Candy Barone, CEO of You Empowered Strong, is a leadership development expert, trainer and executive coach, as well as an international speaker and Amazon best-selling author. She is a catalyst and change agent who works with executives and emerging leaders to help bring “heart” back to leadership while feeding the soul of their business. With nearly 20 years in corporate, combined with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt, and MBA, she is a master at building exceptional, high-performing teams, maximizing and leveraging ROI, growing emerging leaders, creating metrics for greater accountability, and catapulting individuals to achieve explosive growth.

Jim Benvie, PMP

Jim, “The History PM”, believes that project managers can learn valuable lessons from history. Many of his presentations combine elements of both history and project management, with topics as diverse as, a medieval struggle for independence, to a 20th century humanitarian operation. Prior to TyauvinOn Solutions, he served for 29 years with National Oilwell Varco (NOV), working in various locations and roles, but predominantly in aftermarket projects, service, and support. A long-term volunteer with PMI Houston, and recently retired VP Programs, he lives with his wife Juliet in the Tomball area, and his interests are reading, studying history, and cycling.