This title is not a twitter tag. It references the very first person to earn the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI). I’m referring to Eric Jennett, who was also one of the founders of PMI. I remember meeting him, in Anaheim, California, at my very first PMI Global Congress. I have described that meeting many times over the years, and I know that my dear friend and colleague, John Baley, who was with me, has as well. John and I were serving on the board of directors of the PMI Dallas Chapter at the time, and it was our first involvement in a PMI event outside of our chapter. I don’t think either of us realized the full potential of PMI until this event, and Eric Jennett, PMP #1 represented that to both of us. I know that when we returned to Dallas, that was the easiest way for us to describe our excitement to our colleagues – “We met PMP #1!” The fact that Eric was from Texas made it seem like destiny…and it was.
That trip, and meeting PMP #1 (also PMI member #3), inspired me more than I could ever imagine to continually improve my knowledge and skills as a PM, as I know Eric did until the day he died last month at age 88. May I live to do the same. Rest in peace, PMP #1, and thank you for everything you left behind for those of us that follow.
