About me

I have a degree in music education from Western Illinois University and worked for a number of years managing group homes for individuals with disabilities. For the last 20 years I have been working in the technology field with over 17 years of SQL Server DBA experience working with all versions since SQL Server 2000. I also have experience as a BI developer and Application developer using VB.NET.

My current position is as a Data Architect at Stericycle prior to that I supervised the Shared Services DBA team for 4 years. I have worked as a DBA in a number of industries including casino industry, insurance industry as well as the transportation industry.

I am a frequent presenter at SQL Saturday events and local SQL Server user groups throughout the country. I have been teaching SQL Server since version 2000 and I am currently the SQL Server instructor at Harper College in Palatine, IL where I teach Microsoft certified SQL Server courses.

Over the years I have taught a number of topics and SQL Server is right at the top of the list of my favorite topics to teach.  I taught technology classes full time for 5 years, starting at New Horizons in Chicago.  I still remember my first class, Windows NT 4 Workstation.  During that 5 year period of time I taught many topics in addition to SQL Server.  These include A+, Visual Basic 6.0 and .NET, Windows NT Server and networking courses, Paradox, MS Access, ASP.Net and Visual InterDev, not sure if anyone will even remember that one!

I currently hold the following certifications: • Microsoft Certified Trainer since 1998 • MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance • MCTS: SQL Server 2008, BI Development and Maintenance • MCSA: SQL Server 2008 • MCSA: SQL Server 2012\2014 • MCSE: SQL Server 2012\2014 – BI • MCDBA: SQL Server 2000 • MCSD • MCSE: Data Management and Analytics and A+.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Sandy and my step son. I also have a step daughter in the Navy that I could not be more proud of. I enjoy watching NASCAR, going camping as well as  watching drum and bugle corps.  I have followed the Santa Clara Vanguard since I was in high school. I am an avid Cubs fan! GO CUBS GO!!!