10 Years as a Nutanix Technology Champion: NTC 2026

As I returned from a much-needed vacation in Punta Cana with my wife (our first real trip of 2025 where neither of us worked once), I received some exciting news while still on the beach. The NTC announcement came out during our trip, so I got to celebrate this 10-year milestone with my wife over mimosas.

A year ago, I wrote a post reflecting on my 9th year as a Nutanix Technology Champion, and I closed it with a hope: "Here's hoping that next year, at this time, I'll have the opportunity to write another post celebrating a milestone 10 years as an NTC!"

Well, here we are. I've been selected as a Nutanix Technology Champion for 2026, marking my 10th consecutive year in the program. A full decade.

When I think back to where I started, and where the program itself started, it's remarkable how much has evolved. What began as a way to recognize community contributors has grown into something far more substantial: a dynamic partnership between Nutanix, its employees, and a global community of practitioners who genuinely care about helping each other succeed.

What 10 Years Has Taught Me

After a decade in this program, a few things stand out:

Collaboration is the foundation. The NTC program isn't about individual recognition. It's about the relationships you build along the way. Programs like the Nutanix Community Podcast and Champions Tech Talk, led by the tireless Angelo Luciani, have given NTCs a platform to share their expertise while working directly with Nutanix teams. Those collaborations have shaped how I think about technology evangelism and community building.

The community grows with you. I've watched fellow NTCs launch careers, start companies, earn certifications, and take on leadership roles, all while continuing to give back to the community that supported them. That's the real magic of this program. It's not static. It evolves as we evolve.

Enablement matters. Nutanix doesn't just hand out a badge and walk away. They invest in their champions: private briefings on upcoming products, events like the NTC Tech Summit at Nutanix HQ in San Jose, and direct access to product teams. That investment makes it possible for NTCs to stay ahead of the curve and bring real value back to customers and peers.

Humbled and Grateful

Every year, this recognition humbles me. Being selected among roughly 100 peers worldwide is an honor I don't take lightly. What makes it even more meaningful is that this recognition comes from doing something I find incredibly fun and rewarding every single day: working with a technology that has helped so many organizations simplify and bolster their operations across all workloads and platforms.

I get to wake up and help customers solve real problems. I get to be part of a community that lifts each other up. And I get to work with a platform that genuinely makes a difference in how organizations run their infrastructure. That this work also earns recognition from Nutanix and the broader community is something I'll never take for granted.

I'd also be remiss not to acknowledge the people and organizations that have made this journey possible.

To eGroup, thank you for giving me the platform and support to participate in this program year after year. It's a privilege to represent the company in this capacity. And to my peers at eGroup, it's a privilege to work next to every one of you.

To Dave Strum, who has once again joined me in the program: it's always better when you're doing this alongside someone who shares the same passion for the technology and the community. Dave decided to take the next step in his career and leave eGroup, but remains active in the NTC program and now is a customer. Here's to another year of collaboration (and lunch trips).

To Devin Costa from JOEMC, a long-standing eGroup customer with whom we've fostered a strong partnership over the years. Devin continues to push the benefits of Nutanix for his organization and is a great example of how the NTC program extends beyond vendors and partners into the customer community.

And to the entire NTC community, past and present, thank you for the inspiration, the knowledge sharing, and the friendships that have made this decade one of the most rewarding of my career.

Looking Ahead

Ten years is a milestone worth celebrating, but it's also a reminder that the work continues. I'm looking forward to another year of collaboration, evangelism, and finding new ways to help organizations modernize their infrastructure without losing their sanity.

To everyone who made it into the 2026 class, congratulations. And to those considering applying next year, reach out. I'm always happy to mentor and guide anyone through the process. The NTC program is more than a title. It's an opportunity to grow, lead, and make a real impact.

More details on the 2026 NTC class: Nutanix Community Blog