Tag Archives: Data Platform

I am a Microsoft Data Platform MVP

My First Microsoft SQL Server MVP Award

My First Microsoft SQL Server MVP Award

Today, I have achieved an SQL Someday moment.  I am excited to share some exciting news. Microsoft has chosen me to receive the Microsoft “MVP” award. I am completely shocked as this is my first time obtaining this award.

It is a tremendous honor to be given this award. Words cannot describe how humbling it is just to be nominated for this award by peers within the Data Platform community. I am blessed to be part of the community.  I am thankful to work in a career that supports the ability for everyone to connect, share and learn. I look forward to doing the same as a new member of the MVP community.

Who Are Microsoft MVP’s?

The following excerpt comes directly from the Microsoft MVP website.

“Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are community leaders who’ve demonstrated an exemplary commitment to helping others get the most out of their experience with Microsoft technologies. They share their exceptional passion, real-world knowledge, and technical expertise with the community and with Microsoft.”

How My Journey Started

I would never forget and always be thankful to Adolph Santorine my boss at the time who told me, “John, I think you should get involved in our local Association for Informational Technology Professionals (AITP) chapter.” He shared how it help him personally and how he thought it could be beneficial for my career.   Adolph was right. I learned so much from some well experienced IT leaders. The Greater Wheeling Chapter of AITP is where my community involvement started, and I was lucky to start with a community who has been connecting, sharing and learning since 1960’s.  When I decided to get my local community involved in the SQL Server community my fellow AITP members had my back and helped make our event a success. From this moment, I was introduced into PASS and the SQL Server Community.  I have been connecting, sharing and learning ever since. 

How Will Things Change?

They will not change, and to me, that is the greatest part of this award. I still plan to connect, share and learn with as many people as possible. The data platform is evolving.  I plan on being involved in the community and building relationships with individuals who are interested in seeing the Microsoft Data Platform grow and succeed.

Special Thanks

I would like to thank my family, friends, and mentors.  Without their help and support, I would never be the person who I am today or tomorrow.

I would also like to thank everyone I have worked with in my career.  Thank you to everyone at Deloitte, Schedule Star, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, RDX, Dell and Linchpin People. I am truly blessed to have a lot of great mentors and friends.   Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn, grow, and have a career doing what I love to do.

DONT FORGET TO NOMINATE

Finally, you might not know this, but anyone can nominate someone for a Microsoft MVP Award. You don’t have to be an MVP or a Microsoft employee. I have personally been nominating people for years and will continue to do so as an MVP. If you know of anyone who you think is deserving of the Microsoft MVP Award nominate them.