Tag Archives: vExpert

VMware Names First vExpert Cloud Recipients

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On Friday, VMware announced the recipients of their first-ever vExpert Cloud designation. This will be called “vExpert Cloud 2017”.

This is the third specialization added to the long-running vExpert program, after vExpert VSAN and vExpert NSX. Already holding a current vExpert designation is a prerequisite for any of the specialty vExpert programs.

What is a vExpert? Well, in VMware’s own words, they are people who have:

demonstrated significant contributions to the community and a willingness to share their expertise with others. Contributing is not always blogging or Twitter as there are many public speakers, book authors, scriptwriters, VMUG leaders, VMTN community moderators and internal champions

I am very proud to have my name included on this first-ever list of vExpert Cloud recipients. I am humbled and a bit nervous to have my name included on this first-ever list of vExpert Cloud recipients… I feel like I’ve been given something that I now have to earn and live up to.

You can see the full list of 134 VMware vExpert Cloud 2017 designees here.

 

VMware Announces vExperts for 2017

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Yesterday, VMware announced their list of 2017 vExperts. The vExpert program is VMware’s way of recognizing those people who have made valuable contributions to the overall VMware and virtualization community.

The program was started several years ago as a way of extending appreciation and recognition to those folks who were going above and beyond their job descriptions in finding ways to share knowledge and contribute to the community.

To quote VMware:

Each of these vExperts have demonstrated significant contributions to the community and a willingness to share their expertise with others. Contributing is not always blogging or Twitter as there are many public speakers, book authors, CloudCred task writing, script writers, VMUG leaders, VMTN community moderators and internal champions among this group.

…a “vExpert” is not a technical certification or even a general measure of VMware expertise. The judges selected people who were particularly engaged with their community and who had developed a substantial personal platform of influence in those communities.

I feel simultaneously pleased and honored to be included among those selected as a 2017 vExpert. This is my sixth year in a row receiving this designation. It’s been great to be part of this active community of knowledgeable people who are motivated by sharing that knowledge with others.

Congratulations and thanks to all the returning vExperts, and a special congratulations to the first-time vExperts out there. Keep up the good work.

You can see the full list of VMware’s 2017 vExperts in the official announcement.

VMware Announces vExperts for 2016

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VMW-LOGO-vEXPERT-2016-kToday, VMware announced the list of vExpert recipients for 2016.

The VMware vExpert program recognizes those who have gone above and beyond their normal job description in sharing the messaging, knowledge, and “how to” of virtualization in general and VMware in particular.

The vExpert program is open to VMware employees, partner, customers, and others.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t really excited to have been named a VMware vExpert for my fifth year in a row. I’m also honored and thankful, but, yeah, excited too.

You can see the full list of 2016 VMware vExperts here.

VMware Announces vExperts for 2015

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VMware vExpert 2015Today, VMware announced the list of 2015 vExperts. The “vExpert” designation is not a technical certification, but instead a recognition of community engagement and personal influence within the various VMware and virtualization communities.

I am simultaneously happy, honored, proud, and humbled to have been included among the 1,056 vExperts named for 2015. This marks the fourth year in a row for me.

One of the things I like about the program is that recipients get the title for one year, and one year only. It’s awarded based on things the recipient did during the previous calendar year. If you decide to rest on your laurels or go inactive, you won’t get the title again next year.

My favorite thing about the program is the people involved. All of the vExperts I’ve met — many of whom work in direct competition with each other — are all committed to sharing knowledge, tips, tricks, techniques, and generally helping others learn and improve.

You can see the full list of vExpert 2015 list on the VMware blog site here.

VMware Announces List of 2014 vExperts

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VMware vExpert 2014Earlier this week VMware released the list of 2014 vExperts. The community recognition program has grown since its start in 2009, with 754 vExperts being named this year — the largest group yet.

I’m simultaneously proud and humbled to have been included in that list for my third year in a row. Looking over this year’s list I see a lot of heavy-hitters and folks I’ve come to respect for their knowledge and willingness to share what they’ve learned. It’s both an honor to be considered to be in the same group with them as well as a little scary in that humbling “wow-I’m-going-to-have-to-work-hard-to-keep-up” kind of way.

One of the things that I really like about the vExpert program is that it recognizes activity over expertise. Continue reading →

2013 VMware vExperts Announced

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VMware vExpert 2013Yesterday, VMware announced the vExpert 2013 awardees.  The vExpert program is one that recognizes those members of the VMware community who “have demonstrated significant contributions to the community and a willingness to share their expertise with others.”  One of the things I like about this program is that the designation is good only for a year, and inclusion on the list in one year is no guarantee of inclusion the next year.

I am simultaneously proud and humbled to have been included in this year’s list.

You can find the full list of 2013 vExpert awardees here.  I’m sure you’ll see many familiar names — all folks whose future contributions I look forward to seeing.  Congratulations to all the 2013 awardees!

Two New Things (with More to Follow Soon)

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Let’s call this a State of the Geek update…

There are two recent new things in my life worth mentioning.

Thing One: VMware vExpert 2012

VMware vExpert 2012I recently learned that I am one of 437 people who were awarded the VMware vExpert title for 2012.

The vExpert program is something that VMware started in 2009 as a way of recognizing folks who went above and beyond their job description to in some way benefit the VMware community at large.  This program is not like the VMware certifications.  There’s no vExpert test you can take.  The award recognizes things you’ve done, written, presented, podcasted, blogged, etc.

This is my first year receiving the award.  Reading through the list of recipients, I’m honored and humbled to be counted amongst such company.

Thing Two: A New Job

AccunetAfter seven years with EMC, I have accepted the position of Virtualization Practice Lead at Accunet Solutions.

Accunet Solutions offers a wide range of data center solutions: storage, networking, security, backup and recovery, disaster recovery and business continuity, and virtualization.  They’re the largest reseller of Isilon storage and a top EMC partner/reseller.  They’re also a VMware partner.  I’ll continue spending most of my time in the EMC/VMware space.

I’ll be wearing many hats at Accunet, among them Sales Engineer, Architect, Social Media Guy, and Marketing, but my chief responsibility is developing and taking the lead in Accunet’s growing Virtualization Practice.

This is the right move at the right time for me.  I’m excited about the new opportunities the new position will bring.  The future’s looking very bright.

More to Follow?

Yes, more things are coming, and soon.  I’ll fill you in on details as they solidify.

In the meantime, I’ll give you the heads-up that I’ll be putting in appearances at the Bio IT World conference in Boston next week and at EMC World in Las Vegas in May.