Stephen E. Bemis, former Chief Psychologist for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in the U.S. Department of Labor and later an I/O consultant, was the driving force behind the creation of PTC/MW in March 1977. In his travels, Steve became familiar with the Personnel Testing Council of Southern California (PTC/SC) and thought that a similar organization was much needed in the DC area.

With encouragement from PTC/SC, Steve assembled a group of interested DC area colleagues to create a similar but independent organization to PTC/SC. With technical assistance from Anita Ford, Pat Pfeiffer, Ed Hane, and others at PTC/SC, the PTC/MW organizing committee appointed interim officers, drafted bylaws, compiled a mailing list, sent membership invitations, and scheduled PTC/MW's first official event, a dinner meeting, at the Hotel Washington in April 1977. PTC/MW has been growing and improving ever since.

The members of the PTC/MW organizing committee (March 1977) included:

1. Stephen E. Bemis (Chair).
2. Sally Jones Brauer.
3. Peggy Goulding, Ph.D.
4. Preston Horstman, Ph.D.
5. Jean D. Linehan.
6. Charles Martin.
7. Francia Morhardt.
8. William B. Owen, Ph.D.
9. Donald J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
10. Lance W. Seberhagen, Ph.D.
11. Merrie C. Shager, J.D.
12. Dee A. Soder, Ph.D.

After serving as PTC/MW's interim President, Steve Bemis was elected by the full membership to become PTC/MW's first elected President for 1977-1978. Steve continued to provide wisdom and leadership to PTC/MW after his presidency until a tragic accident took his life in 1985.