Dr. J. Davidson Frame
1947-2023
Author, Professor, Scholar, University Founder
Former Director, Fellow, Project Management Institute
Editor’s Introduction
Dr. J. Davidson Frame, “David” Frame to his friends and colleagues, passed away on 19 November 2023. With shock, deep grief and holiday season upon their dear PMI friends, his wife Yanping Chen notified the PMI through the chair of the PMI Board of Directors on 2nd January 2024. An email quickly followed from PMI President and CEO Pierre Le Manh, informing other PMI Fellows of David’s passing. Since then, PMI and several individuals have posted tributes online. Many individuals have sent condolences to Yanping and David’s family. A memorial Celebration of Life was held in Georgetown, Washington, DC on 19 January.
David Frame was a distinguished contributor to the Project Management Institute (PMI) for many years, was a PMI Fellow and winner of multiple PMI awards, and was very well known throughout the international project management community. This PMWJ Tribute provides more background information about David Frame, also providing an opportunity for family and colleagues to share personal memories and tributes to him. Following the announcement from PMI and statement from PMI CEO Le Manh, the memorial brochure and tributes at the memorial by family members are shared below. Links to two videos are included. Tributes from David Frame’s friends and colleagues around the world then follow. David Frame had an enormous impact on PMI and professional project management. The paragraphs and statements below illuminate that reach. But be forewarned; keep a Kleenex handy to dry your tears.
Formal Announcement from PMI[1]
In Memoriam
Dr. J. Davidson Frame
Our global community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. J. Davidson Frame.
Dear PMI Board, Fellows and Teams,
I am saddened to share that we learned today of the recent passing of Dr. J. Davidson Frame, a beloved PMI Fellow, past Board director, mentor, and volunteer. He passed away on 19 November 2023.
David was a member of PMI’s community since the 1990s, serving on PMI’s Board of Directors as an appointed director of certification, director of educational services, and director-at-large. He was awarded PMI’s Outstanding Person of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award, and PMI Fellow Award.
David spent much of his professional career educating others and supporting life-long learning in the field of project management. He was an active thought leader in project management, the decision sciences, and technology management, having written eight management books and more than 25 scholarly articles.
David served as academic dean and chief academic officer at the University of Management and Technology in Virginia, USA. He also served on the faculty of George Washington University, where he established a project management degree program.
I have sent my condolences to his loved ones, including his wife YanPing (also a PMI Fellow and volunteer), and know that his contributions to the profession and PMI will continue to impact project professionals for years to come.
We will honor David with attendance at his memorial service, acknowledge his contributions on the In Memoriam webpage on PMI.org, and will send flowers on behalf of PMI. In addition, the PMI Educational Foundation (PMI EF) will appropriately administer a scholarship in David’s name.
David made a powerful impact and lasting legacy on the project management profession and community, and he will surely be missed.
With deepest sympathies,
Pierre Le Manh
President & CEO
Project Management Institute
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More, including tributes from family and friends around the world…
To read entire tribute, click here
[1] From PMI website: https://www.pmi.org/about/leadership-governance/board-of-directors/in-memoriam
