About Me

What I Do

I believe that a true technologist specializes but learns enough to understand the big picture. My work spans:

• Microsoft Azure and cloud architecture
• Digital experience, unified communications, and productivity
• Platform engineering, DevOps, and developer experience
• Identity and access management, governance, and cryptography
• AI/ML strategy, development, and implementation
• Cybersecurity, resiliency, and risk management
• Enterprise architecture, servant leadership, and technology strategy

Community Involvement

When I was starting out, I had a lot of mentors, communities, and resources that helped shape me into the technologist I wanted to be.

PowerShell Subreddit: I cofounded and manage the PowerShell subreddit, where I share knowledge and engage with the community. Managing the public forum is challenging, but important for new and experienced engineers to have an independent venue to discuss, learn, share, and ask questions without fear. (looking at you Stack Overflow)

The Powershell subreddit has become the largest independent PowerShell community in the world, with over 300k members and 34m unique views per month and growing. It's a place where people can ask questions, share projects, and connect with others who are passionate about PowerShell and automation.

Professional User Groups: As an original member of the Phoenix, AZ PowerShell User Group in 2012, I know how important it can be to connect with others professionals face-to-face to learn and network. Through the PowerShell sub, we try to support user groups with materials, awareness, and engagement.

The New Technologist: I'm very passionate about mentoring and helping new engineers grow. To that end, I wrote The New Technologist, a book about how to grow your career and become a well-rounded technology professional in today's rapidly changing business landscape. Currently in final editing, it will be published and available soon.

Special Thanks To:

• Kim McAullife: My NEST instructor at Microsoft, for teaching me how to combine what I learn and how to teach others.
• Bill Boswell: For teaching a hungry young engineer how to be approachable, welcoming, and how Active Directory really works.
• Ed Wilson: The original "Scripting Guy" for the blog and the Scripting Games, which were fun and educational.
• Jeff Hicks and Don Jones: For showing me how to write materials that engage people.
• Jeff Snover and Mark Russinovich: For showing me how to be a technologist, and how to think about technology in a strategic way, and being friggin' brilliant.
• Jason Helmick and Mike Pfeiffer: The original Phoenix PowerShell User Group crew, for staying in touch and bring awesome.
• Michael Shanko: For being a great mentor, leader and friend. I wouldn't be where I am without his guidance.
• My many mentors, colleagues, and friends who have shared their knowledge, challenged my thinking, and supported me along the way.

Background

With 25 years of experience across enterprise technology, I've helped organizations of all sizes transform their digital capabilities. There aren't many practices I haven't touched. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, I've seen what works and what doesn't when it comes to technology adoption, and have the battle scars to prove it.

This scratchpad is where I document my thinking, give back, share lessons learned, and explore new ideas in the ever-evolving world of technology.

Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

Philosophy

Technology is an art and a science.

Incremential improvement is easier than perfection in transformative change.

Be a geek that can talk and present complex concepts in an accessible way.

Simple solutions that work today are better than perfect solutions that never ship.

Measure twice, build fifty times.