Robert J. Yourzak

Mr. Yourzak joined PMI in 1982 and is recognized for his influential leadership, advocacy, counsel and service at chapter and global levels of PMI. He served on the PMI Board of Directors in various capacities between 1987 and 1992, including chair (1991), president (1990), vice president of public relations (1987-88) and ex-officio director (1989 and 1992). He also served as chair of five PMI committees (1996-97 – Executive Director Selection; 1992 – Strategic Planning, 1992 – Nominating, 1991 – Intersociety Liaison, 1986 – Marketing), led 16 PMI projects and was voluntary acting executive director (April—May 1990). During his career, he made numerous presentations at annual PMI seminars, symposiums, chapter meetings, congresses and conferences around the world. Mr. Yourzak was also founder, first elected president, education certification director, chair of advisory and program committees, and program speaker for the PMI Minnesota Chapter. The PMI Education Foundation awards a yearly scholarship from the PMI Minnesota Chapter in his name. Additionally, he served as president for the Minnesota Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and as president for the Twin Cities Chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). He has been honored as a fellow of PMI, ASCE and IIE. In 1982, he founded and continues to serve as president of Robert Yourzak & Associates, Inc., a Minneapolis, Minnesota management and engineering consulting company. More than 30 consultants have worked for the company, serving clients in program, project, construction management, planning and operations for products, facilities and training. Since founding his company, Mr. Yourzak has given more than 100 presentations and presented many papers on project management and other management topics at professional societies. He has more than 40 years of experience in planning; engineering; design; construction; program, project, construction management; administration; operations; and training. His management positions have also included serving as: director of project management, director of project development & administration, project systems department manager, program manager, and project manager. He is registered and/or certified as a Project Management Professional® (PMP) by PMI, Professional Engineer (PE) by the State of Minnesota, and Certified Management Consultant (CMC) by Institute of Management Consultants USA. Mr. Yourzak earned master's degrees in business administration (MBA) and in civil (structural) engineering (MSCE) from the University of Washington, and a bachelor’s degree in civil (structural) engineering (BCE) from the University of Minnesota. He has taught 70 undergraduate and/or graduate credit courses in project management, engineering and business as an adjunct faculty member and/or instructor at Minnesota universities and colleges. For example, at the University of Minnesota, he has taught over 20 project management courses for more than 10 years. He also served on the Board of Advisors for the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota from 1989-93. He has written two books for his nationwide seminars and workshops on "Project Management" and "Motivating & Managing the Project Team." Also included among his publications is "Motivation in the Project Environment," Chapter 21 in 2004 second edition of "Field Guide to Project Management," which was edited by David Cleland, PhD (PMI Fellow) from the University of Pittsburgh.