I realized it’s been a while since my last post, almost 3 months now have gone by. That can be a good thing. I wanted to use this post as a brief recap of the last few months, and include some personal news that has hit me right in the heart…
Catching Up
Starting in 2018 I became the Director of Data Center Architecture for eGroup, a minor change to the role I held in late 2016 and 2017 as Practice Manager, but with more oversight, direction and creative possbilities. I’ve been given a great opportunity at eGroup to help continue to drive our business, providing our customers with not only absolutely great technology, but a partner who will be there with them when they need it. Working with our partners like Pure Storage, Nutanix, Cisco, VMware, Rubrik, Microsoft and Citrix – among many others to design, build and deploy amazing solutions is something that I just love that I can do every day.
I won’t lie, it’s been a challenge for me to step out of a full delivery role into a more strategic/leadership position. I like getting my hands dirty, but with the team I’ve got behind me, I’m incredibly excited about what we can achieve.
Now to move that needle for eGroup, and in what I like for a new personal motto – “Be Better”
Saying Goodbye
On a personal note, it’s been a rough couple of weeks for me personally. Earlier this week my wife Michelle and I had to make the decision to let our 2nd oldest dog Macy, who fought like a champ against Wobblers Syndrome, cross over the rainbow bridge.
For those of you who know us personally, you know our dogs are our children, our everything. Having to let Macy go has culminated in a lot of emotions for me; second guessing did I do enough, and the regrets of things I never did with her in our almost 9 years together.
Ultimately, in the end when I laid there with her, I knew she was ready to go and leave that broken body. She’ll always be with me, by the amazing artwork of Stephanie at Indigo Rose Tattoo, and by the impact she had on me as an everloving companion, and the huge piece of my heart she took wtih her. I’ll look up at the brightest star in the night sky and see my pups Nancy and Macy running and pain free, and know that one day I’ll be able to give Macy another high five.
Accolades and Stickers
Ok, now onto some professional accomplishments. For the last few years I’ve thrown my name into the ring for both the VMware vExpert and Nutanix Technical Champion (NTC) groups.
For the last 3 years, I’ve gotten the #vExpert designation and I’m happy to say that for the 4th year, I’ve been able to give enough back to the VMware community to get that designation again. This announcement was released this past Friday, you can read the full post here.
Even though I had a post back in December, I figured I’d rehash this one. For the 2nd year in a row, I’ve also been able to earn the #NTC, which is another awesome achievement, and one that I’m super happy to have my buddy and co-worker Dave Strum join me in being a part of. This is the second year for both of us! Full annoucement here.
I challenge my fell eGroupers, who’s next to join Dave and I in these groups??
And last but certainly not least, after working with Citrix products for around 18 years now, I had to take the CCA-V exam today to renew my expired certs. I’m glad to know that even though I don’t work with Citrix products that often anymore, I STILL GOT IT!
Time to Go
Thanks for letting me ramble on for a bit. As I’m writing this I’m realizing that 2018 is almost 1/4 gone, and I just don’t know there the time goes these days. It seems like this year has pretty much been non-stop work with eGroup, non-stop work helping to open a new CrossFit Gym (CrossFit Creed, come stop by if you’re ever in Columbia, SC – your drop in fee is on me!) that I haven’t been able to sit back and enjoy the little things with my wife and dogs.
So, as I sit here wondering why I just drank a liter of water before going to bed, looking up at the stars and saying goodnight to Macy and Nancy, I’m reminded how lucky I am. I’m surrounded by 3 wonderful yet sometimes annoying dogs, an amazing wife and best friend in Michelle, a wonderful career, amazing family and friends and a beautiful home.
So, in closing… Find that spark that drives you, don’t let moments pass that you’ll regret later, bring your better half coffee every morning and don’t look back!