The PMI Eastern Idaho Chapter 

Chapter Member Recognition

Member Spotlight: Markal Hansen, PMP

US Army Station Commander | Winding Supervisor, Virginia Transformer Corp | Pocatello, ID

Some people discover project management through a textbook. Mark Hansen discovered it through years of leading soldiers. A recently retired US Army Recruiting Station Commander and Winding Supervisor for Virginia Transformer Corp, Mark joined the East Idaho PMI chapter in January 2026 — and has wasted no time making his mark.

Encouraged by fellow Army leaders to explore project management as a post-retirement career path, Mark quickly realized that the work he had been doing for years already fit squarely within the PMI framework. "I was previously unaware that most of my initiatives in the Army qualified as projects within PMI," he reflects. That revelation set him on a fast track: on March 23, 2026, Mark officially earned his PMP certification.

When asked about a project he's proud of, Mark points to a turnaround effort at a former recruiting station that had gone six months without a single net contract. Through focused leadership and a revamped set of operating procedures, he led the station to above-quota production within just one month — and ensured those founding principles outlasted his tenure. It's the kind of result that defines his approach to the craft.

For Mark, project management is fundamentally about people. "If we take care of our team, provide the resources needed to succeed, and instill a shared vision, we can maintain a healthy momentum toward a common goal," he says. It's a philosophy forged in military leadership and carried seamlessly into the civilian world.

The East Idaho PMI chapter has played a meaningful role in his transition. "Our group of professionals gave me the insight and motivation necessary to become part of the team," he says. "I fully expect this certification and the mentorship of my fellow chapter members to propel my career skyward."

To those just starting their PMI journey, Mark offers this: don't let the language or the process intimidate you. "You likely already operate within the context of project management — half of this certification is learning a new language that translates experiences from your past. Seek out the proper mentors, find supporting organizations, and put your mind to this coveted and worthwhile goal."

His top study resource? Pocket Prep for PMI/PMP. He credits the app with nearly all of his conceptual understanding heading into the exam — and advises fellow test-takers to focus on mastering concepts rather than memorizing individual questions.

Outside of work and the exam grind, Mark is all about the outdoors — camping, hunting, cooking, and getting out of the house with his family.

We're proud to have Mark as part of the East Idaho PMI community. Welcome, and congratulations on your PMP!

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn