Calendar of Events

Presentation Description

Description of Topic/Presentation:

Elevate your mastery of the Project Management Office (PMO) function. Led by Barry Draskovich, this interactive session provides a comprehensive blueprint, moving beyond basic theory to deliver actionable strategies you can immediately apply to strengthen project delivery and enhance your professional value..

What You Will Learn:

Attendees will gain deep insights across the entire PMO lifecycle, covering three critical areas:

1. PMO Foundation and Value: Understand the core definition and various types of PMOs—Supportive, Controlling, and Directive—and how to articulate their specific value proposition within any organizational structure.
2. Establishment and Governance: Master the key steps required to successfully launch or overhaul a PMO. This includes identifying organizational needs, securing crucial executive sponsorship, defining scope and governance, and optimizing staffing, tools, and methodologies for efficiency.
3. Strategies for Sustained Success: Learn practical methods for measuring PMO performance and proving its worth to leadership. You will discover techniques for aligning PMO goals with overarching business strategy, driving continuous improvement, implementing effective change management, and fostering a robust culture of collaboration and accountability.

Carrying the Lessons to Your Career:

The lessons learned are designed to immediately translate into career growth and increased influence:

• Elevate Your Strategic Impact: By learning how to align PMO goals with business strategy, you move from being a tactical executor to a strategic partner. This skill is critical for advancing into senior-level and leadership roles, where business outcomes take precedence over project metrics.
• Boost Visibility and Influence: The focus on measuring PMO performance and value (KPIs) teaches you how to clearly demonstrate the PMO's ROI. Presenting tangible value to executives is the most direct path to gaining buy-in for future initiatives and securing promotions.
• Become a Change Leader: The segment on change management and overcoming common challenges will equip you with the soft skills necessary to navigate organizational politics and resistance. Mastering these skills transforms you into an essential agent of change, capable of driving large-scale institutional improvement.
• Expand Your Network: The dedicated networking sessions, combined with interactive discussions during the presentation, provide an invaluable opportunity to connect with peers and leaders. These connections can lead to new career opportunities, mentorship, and ongoing professional support.

Speaker Bios

Barry Draskovich
Group Vice President of Program and Contract ManagementAAAMeggitt Integration Global Program Manager

Barry Draskovich is the group vice president of Program Management, Contract Management and Export Control for Parker Aerospace*. He also acted at the Global Program Manager for the very successful acquisition and integration of Meggitt Plc.

Joining Parker Aerospace in May 2010, he is responsible for the development and execution of standardized program management, contract management, and export control policies, processes and tools; improving structural alignment; and increasing skills, competencies, and execution performance across the business.

Barry has been on the Board of Directors for Advanced Atomization Technologies LLC (a joint venture between Parker Hannifin Corporation and General Electric Company), Meggitt Defense Systems Inc., and the 5-star accredited Greater Irvine (CA) Chamber of Commerce. He also is an active participant on Executive Roundtables for World Commerce and Contracting (formerly IACCM), the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County, and the University of California – Irvine.

Barry has over 40 years of experience in aerospace, defense, advanced materials, and consumer electronics, with Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Honeywell Aerospace, Mobility Electronics, AlliedSignal Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney prior to joining Parker. His assignments have spanned executive leadership roles in program management, contract management, engineering, and quality.

Barry has established a proven methodology for improving corporate profitability through the implementation of processes, tools, and techniques critical for precise business execution in both small start-up companies and multi-national corporations.

Barry holds a bachelor of science degree in metallurgical engineering and a master of science degree in materials science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is certified as a Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute and is certified in Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma.  In addition, his team was recognized as a finalist for the 2016 PMO of the Year award from the Project Management Institute. He holds six US patents.

* Parker Aerospace is a $6B operating group of Parker Hannifin Corporation.

Location

Back Bay Conference Center, 3415 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612  

FREE PARKING 

Dinner / Meal

1 Fruit Platter, Pot of Coffee, 1 Cheese Pizza, 1 Pepperoni Pizza, 1 Veggie Pizza

Time

Program:

6:00 PM - Volunteers arrive, set up
6:10 PM - Welcome & Introductions
6:20 PM - Setting the Stage: What is a PMO?
6:35 PM - Establishing a PMO: Key Steps
7:00 PM - Break & Networking
7:10 PM - What Makes a PMO Successful?
7:25 PM - Overcoming Common Challenges
7:45 PM - Q&A and Discussion
8:00 PM - Closing Remarks, Survey & Next Steps

Cost

Registration Cutoff Date and Time: January 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM

PDUs:  1.5 - Ways of Working