Cristal, you are my rock and my source of inspiration. For the past 20 + years, you have been there with me every step of the way. Not only are you the BEST Wife in the world, but you are also my partner in crime. Christian, Trinity, Keira, Serena, Mickaila, Mackenzie, and Rycker, you kids, are so patient with your dear old dad when he locks himself away in the office for yet another book. Taking the time to watch you grow in life, sports and become little leaders of this new world is incredible to watch.
Thank you, Mom and Dad (Frank and Audry) and my brother Joe. You got me started in this crazy IT world when I was so young. Brother, you mentored me along the way, both coaching me in hockey and helping me learn what you knew about PCs and Servers. Ill never forget us as teenage kids working the IT Support contract for the local municipal government. Remember, dad had to drive us to the site because you werent old enough to drive ourselves yet. A great career starts with the support of your family, and Im so lucky because I have all the support one could ever want.
Last but not least, the MVPDays volunteers, you have donated your time and expertise and helped us run the event in over 20 cities across North America. Our latest journey has us expanding the conference worldwide as a virtual conference. For those of you that will read this book, your potential is limitless. Just raise your horizons, and you never know where life will take you.
About the Authors
Dave Kawula Microsoft MVP
Dave is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry. His background includes data communications networks within multi-server environments, and he has led architecture teams for virtualization, System Center, Exchange, Active Directory, and Internet gateways. Very active within the Microsoft technical and consulting teams, Dave has provided deep-dive technical knowledge and subject matter expertise on various System Center and operating system topics.
Dave is well-known in the community as an evangelist for Microsoft, 1E, and Veeam technologies. Locating Dave is easy as he speaks at several conferences and sessions each year, including TechEd, Ignite, MVP Days Community Roadshow, and VeeamOn.
Recently Dave has been honored to take on the role of Conference Co-Chair of TechMentor with fellow MVP Sami Laiho. The lineup of speakers and attendees that have been to this conference over the past 20 years is fantastic. Come down to Redmond or Orlando in 2018, and you can meet him in person. Checkout his speaking site at https:// sessionize.com/dave-kawula/
He recently tied for 1 st place out of 1800 speakers at the Microsoft Ignite Conference in Orlando.
As the founder and Managing Principal Consultant at TriCon Elite Consulting, Dave is a leading technology expert for local customers and large international enterprises, providing optimal guidance and methodologies to achieve and maintain an efficient infrastructure.
BLOG: www.checkyourlogs.net
Twitter: @DaveKawula
Cristal Kawula Microsoft MVP
Cristal Kawula is the co-founder of MVPDays Community Roadshow and #MVPHour live Twitter Chat. She was also a member of the Technical Advisory board and is the President of TriCon Elite Consulting. Cristal is also only the 2nd Woman in the world to receive the prestigious Veeam Vanguard award.
Cristal can be found speaking at Microsoft Ignite, MVPDays, and other local user groups. She is highly active in the community and has recently helped publish a book for other Women MVPs called Voices from the Data Platform.
This year at Microsoft Ignite, she leads community meetups for topics such as Women in IT, Parenting in IT, Diversity in Tech, and becoming a Community Rockstar.
BLOG: www.checkyourlogs.net
Twitter: @supercristal1
Emile Cabot Microsoft MVP
Emile started in the industry during the mid-90s working at an ISP and designing celebrity websites. He has a solid operational background specializing in Systems Management and collaboration solutions. He has spent many years performing infrastructure analyses and solution implementations for organizations ranging from 20 to over 200,000 employees. Coupling his wealth of experience with a small partner network, Emile works very closely with TriCon Elite, 1E, and Veeam to deliver low-cost solutions with minimal infrastructure requirements.
He actively volunteers as a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol, providing over 250 hours each year for first aid services and public education at Castle Mountain Resort and in the community.
BLOG: http://www.checkyourlogs.net
Twitter: @ecabot
Cary Sun Microsoft MVP
Cary Sun is CISCO CERTIFIED INTERNETWORK EXPERT (CCIE No.4531) and MCSE, MCIPT, Citrix CCA with over twenty years in the planning, design, and implementation of network technologies and management and system integration. Background includes hands-on experience with multi-platform, all LAN/WAN topologies, network administration, E-mail and Internet systems, security products, PCs and Servers environment. Expertise in analyzing users needs and coordinating system designs from concept through implementation. Exceptional analysis, organization, communication, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently or as an integral part of a team to achieve objectives and goals. Specialties: CCIE /CCNA / MCSE / MCITP / MCTS / MCSA / Solution Expert / CCA
Carys is a very active blogger at checkyourlogs.net and is always available online for questions from the community. His passion for technology is contagious, and he makes everyone around him better at what they do.
Blog: http://www.checkyourlogs.net
Twitter:@SifuSun
John ONeill Sr Re-Connect Microsoft MVP
Johns professional IT career began as a teenager, taking him on many incredible adventures over the past 30 years. Johns IT path started with programming but branched out quickly. Opportunities from the Help Desk to the Corner Office shape his IT journey. Specializing in Systems and Infrastructure technologies, Johns broad skill set includes Desktop and Server OS, Identity Management, Networking Services, Network Architecture, IP Telephony, and Security.