SQLSaturday #41 - Atlanta 2010

Event Date: 04/24/2010 00:00:00

Event Location:

  • Microsoft
  • 1125 Sanctuary Parkway
  • Alpharetta, Georgia

PDF of Schedule

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Sessions

This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.


Title: The Art and Science of Data Modeling

Abstract: I had a teacher once who told me that creating a great data model is one part science and two parts art. Boy, was she ever right! This session will be a look at the fundamentals of creating data models to support your business, both transactional and dimensional (warehouses). While we’re at it, we’ll look at some more advanced concepts and how to model your way out of some tricky situations.

Topics include:

1) Normalization is beautiful - now let’s discuss it in plain English 2) Raising a well-adjusted database - strategies for creating an adaptable model 3) All Hail Kimball - dimensions, facts, star-schema, and everything in between 4) Yo Olde Bag of Tricks - patterns and ideas for modeling your way out of sticky situation

Speaker(s):

  • Audrey Hammonds

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: De-mystifying Execution Plan Analysis

Abstract: Too often the query plan, or how the SQL Server engine actually implements the logical query, is ignored by developers and DBAs. The reason for not trying to dive into the meaning behind the hyro-glyphic plan is simple: It’s not easy to understand what all those icons mean in isolation, never mind as a collection.

This session will bridge the gap between the theory of internals, where the details are mentioned but not demonstrated, and the logical query. A series of actual query examples will show how queries are treated by the optimizer and why; what to do to identify slow performing queries, and how to make simple adjustments to allow the query to perform significantly better.

Speaker(s):

  • Dave Turpin

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Troubleshooting SSRS Performance

Abstract: Evan will demonstrate how to identify the bottlenecks in your SSRS environment, plus provide solutions to these same issues. He will discuss using the built-in SSRS diagnostics, plus show how to use other publically available tools to address issues the built-in tools cannot solve.

Speaker(s):

  • Evan Basalik

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: Virtualize This!

Abstract: With the list of features of SQL Server growing constantly the need to sandbox and test drive features in a separate environment that can communicate with but not interfere with your existing environment has become vital. With virtualization, setting up consistent test, dev, and even sandbox environments can happen in minutes instead of hours AND be consistent with previous/ existing environments. In this session we will focus on Microsoft Virtualization solutions that you can leverage starting with your desktop/laptop and extending to your server environments. Even if you aren’t going to be doing the virtualization yourself it’s good to know what your options are.

Speaker(s):

  • Aaron Nelson

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: Diagnosing Connectivity Issues with SQL Server

Abstract: Evan will show you how to diagnose and solve common connectivity issues. This will include covering GNEs, Kerberos, and completely inaccessible SQL Servers. He will demonstrate how to use UDLs and network traces to easily identify the problem, plus provide tips that often solve the problem in seconds.

Speaker(s):

  • Evan Basalik

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Advanced TSQL Solutions

Abstract: The range of real-world queries that can be performed using set-based TSQL solutions is astounding, but many of these are not well known and if you haven’t been shown the light you might never realize what is possible. Come and join me as we delve into the inner recesses and corners of the TSQL envelope using a wide variety of expressions, clauses and techniques.

Speaker(s):

  • Kevin Boles

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: Work/Life Balance? Just A Myth?

Abstract: Many of us started our IT careers in the exact same way: 80-hour work weeks, routine overnight gigs, no life outside the office—this was simply what we considered “normal.” Today, with our careers underway, how do we build a life outside of our IT world? We will share the tips, tricks and tools we’ve discovered and used to create a work/life balance that allows us to feel fulfilled and refreshed outside the office while maintaining our effectiveness as successful data professionals.

Speaker(s):

  • Meredith Ryan-Smith

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Database Design Patterns

Abstract: Beyond database design fundamentals (for example, Normalization) lies the area where you have to create “real” solutions. In this session, I will cover a good number of patterns that we commonly find useful to try to apply to the problem of building a database solution. Ideas like generalization, subclassing, single table domain tables, optional data, and more will be discussed, some of them good, some not so good (don’t assume which will be which), but all that are common and/or useful for your database implementations.

Speaker(s):

  • Louis Davidson

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: What is Microsoft StreamInsight?

Abstract: Intent of this session is to capabilities and functionalities of Streaminsight.

Speaker(s):

  • Tejas Patel

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: PowerShell for the Data Professional

Abstract: In this session we will learn to perform several everyday DBA tasks like backing up user databases, scripting table objects and evaluating disk space usage with PowerShell. For each task we will explore the benefits of using PowerShell over the standard method. Only a basic understanding of PowerShell or DOS is needed. This session should serve as a good introduction to PowerShell for database users. The goal is to get data professionals feet wet using PowerShell.

Speaker(s):

  • Aaron Nelson

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: Tuna Helper for SQL Server DBA’s

Abstract: Many DBAs and developers are faced with tuning poorly performing SQL statements. There is no way to learn everything you need to know about SQL tuning in an hour, but you can learn a process to employ when badly written SQLs are ruining database performance. However, many tuning projects fail because the process being used is inefficient. This presentation will walk through a process Confio Software uses with great success and will include topics such as: SQL diagramming, wait type data, column selectivity, and several more that will help you succeed on future tuning projects.

Speaker(s):

  • Janis Griffin

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Introduction to Performance Tuning

Abstract: Everything I wish someone had told me when I started with SQL Server years ago. An overview of using profiler to capture events Clustered, non clustered, covering indexes, looking at query plans (rid lookup, key lookup, scans vs seeks) When to use a table variable vs temp table

Speaker(s):

  • Michael Femenella

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Introduction to Transactional Replication

Abstract: SQL Server replication allows DBAs to distribute data to various servers throughout an organization. Some reasons to employ replication include load balancing, offline processing redundancy. Transactional replication in particular can offer a very flexible solution where data frequently changes. This session will discuss the basics of planning and implementation of a solid transactional replication solution.

Speaker(s):

  • Troy Gallant

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: Wait-Time Based SQL Server Performance Management

Abstract: There are many ways to use SQL Server Wait types for performance tuning of a Microsoft database, but often there is confusion on exactly what the data means. The issue typically centers around the fact the wait event data is analyzed at the wrong level or the collected wait event data is not detailed enough. This presentation will focus on these problems and review several real-life case studies of using wait type data coupled with Wait-Time based performance analysis to solve the most difficult performance related issues.

Speaker(s):

  • Janis Griffin

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: When GEO meets SQL: Hotwiring Data to Locations

Abstract: Spatial fields, operators, and functions were introduced in SQL 2008. I will detail how these can be integrated with location-based information in existing data warehouses and marts - and on the cheap. We will briefly discuss the basics (geometry versus geography, geocoding), then move on to the common problems with this task and the remedies.

Speaker(s):

  • Michael Clifford

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: Loading Data In Real Time

Abstract: After an overview of partitioning and how to set up partition functions schemes we’ll take a look at how to load data and instantly switch it into production without significant impact to your database availability. Topics covered: Partition Functions Schemes, Creating partitioned tables, The $partition function, Switch Statement and system tables for viewing partition information

Speaker(s):

  • Michael Femenella

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: SQL Server Memory Deep Dive

Abstract: Like the title says, be prepared to get really down and dirty with memory allocations and usage in SQL Server. RAM is one of the three pillars of server performance and understanding how it is used, how you can analyze what is going on with it and how to properly adjust the the few knobs you have at your disposal are very important topics for both your server’s health and performance.

Speaker(s):

  • Kevin Boles

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Why I Use Stored Procedures and You Should Too!

Abstract: With the proliferation of ORM Tools like Linq To SQL, NHibernate, there has been a move to no longer use stored procedures for Data Access, I personally disagree. This will be a professional and polite open discussion starting with why I believe stored procedures are the best way to access data in SQL Server. Alternate view points welcome.

Speaker(s):

  • Jack Corbett

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: Database Design Fundamentals

Abstract: In this session I will give an overview of how to design a database, including the common normal forms and why they should matter to you if you are creating or modifying SQL Server databases. Data should be easy to work with in SQL Server if the database has been organized as close as possible to the standards of normalization that have proven for many years. Many common T-SQL programming “difficulties” are the result of struggling against the way data should be structured and can be avoided by applying the basic normalization techniques and are obvious things that you find yourself struggling with time and again (i.e. using the SUBSTRING function in a WHERE clause meaning you can’t use an index efficiently).

Speaker(s):

  • Louis Davidson

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: Introduction to Change Data Capture

Abstract: This sessions provides a walk through of Microsoft’s newest SQL Replication feature called Change Data Capture (CDC). Sessions covers overview of CDC, setting up CDC and using various CDC functions to retrieve list of data changes. CDC is often used by data warehouse applications to retrieve list of SQL insert and updates for a given time window.

Speaker(s):

  • Chris Skorlinski

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: Troubleshooting SQL with Event Notifications

Abstract: Event Notifications are a hidden gem in SQL Server 2005/2008, just waiting to provide you with real time information about problems inside of SQL Server. This session will provide a brief overview of the Service Broker components used by Event Notifications and then dive into how to build a monitoring solution for common problems in SQL Server like blocking and deadlocks that capture the needed information for troubleshooting in real time and provide email notification that a problem exists.

Speaker(s):

  • Jonathan Kehayias

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: T-SQL Code Sins

Abstract: Learn the best of what NOT to do when writing Transact-SQL. Comment, format, and streamline your way to a happy and virtuous coding life!

Speaker(s):

  • Jennifer McCown

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: SQL Server 2008 R2- BI Drill Down Session 2

Abstract: This session will introduce all BI enhancements in SQL Server 2008 R2.

Speaker(s):

  • David Rodriguez

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Can you control your reports?

Abstract: Having trouble or trying to figure out how you can navigate to your reports through your application, without creating a complete dashboard? This session will show you how to navigate and control your reports through your application using links.

Speaker(s):

  • Ryan Duclos

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: Survey of Windows Azure Platform Storage Options

Abstract: Durable data storage is a key component of any cloud computing offering. The Windows Azure Platform offers many options, which can be used alone or in combination. Windows Azure itself offers ready-to-use and lightweight storage in the form of tables, blobs, and queues. Another choice for storage is SQL Azure, a true relational database in the cloud. In this session, we’ll explore the highlights of these implementations and how to both create and use storage in each form. We’ll give you guidance on choosing the right forms of storage for your application scenarios.

Speaker(s):

  • Glen Gordon

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Auditing User Activity 101

Abstract: Auditing user activity in SQL Server has become a hot topic lately. From SOX and PCI to HIPPA, the security of personal data, and the ability to track who accessed the data and how has become extremely important. In this session, SQL Server MVP Jonathan Kehayias covers the various methods available in SQL Server 2000, 2005, and 2008 to accomplish this task including SQL Trace in SQL Server 2000 and 2005, and the new Server Audits in SQL Server 2008.

Speaker(s):

  • Jonathan Kehayias

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: T-SQL Starter Kit

Abstract: An introductory T-SQL course for those just beginning to use SQL Server.

Speaker(s):

  • Jennifer McCown

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: Introduction to Merge Replication

Abstract: This sessions provides an overview of Merge Replication. Areas covered include setting up Merge Replication, configuring dynamic filtered subscribers, performing sychronization over the Internet.

Speaker(s):

  • Chris Skorlinski

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: Off and Running with PowerPivot for Excel 2010

Abstract: PowerPivot is an exciting new technology from Microsoft that will allow users to leverage their data to answer many of their business questions. Commonly referred to as “Self Service Business Intelligence”, PowerPivot consists of two components, PowerPivot for Excel 2010 and PowerPivot for SharePoint 2010. This presentation will provide an overview of both components then dig deeper into PowerPivot for Excel 2010. Multiple demos illustrate everything from importing data to creating pivot tables and charts, as well as using techniques such as filters and calculated columns.

Speaker(s):

  • Robert Cain

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: Scale Out the DBA (Enterprise Policy Management)

Abstract: Policy-Based Management, Central Management Server, Enterprise Policy Management Framework, and Powershell combine to allow automation of DBA tasks more than ever before. Put these pieces together to do more with less.

Speaker(s):

  • Geoff Hiten

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: Introduction to Data Mining

Abstract: Session is intended to exhibit beginners, how to use data mining capabilities of SQL server.

Speaker(s):

  • Tejas Patel

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: RESTful Data

Abstract: REST is an architectural style that allows for a layered, scalable, and cacheable enterprise information system. With WCF Data Services, a database can be surfaced to a service as a REST-style resource collection that is addressable with natural URIs and can be interacted with using the usual HTTP verbs: GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. This session will describe OData (the Open Data Protocol), the benefits it conveys, and its uses. Then we will set up a data service using an existing database that developers would then access rather than accessing the database directly.

Speaker(s):

  • Chris Eargle

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: The (Solid) State Of Drive Technology

Abstract: Solid State Drives are being heralded as game changers in the world of SQL IO. What was once was a costly technology only available to those with deep pockets is now becoming affordable for mainstream use. This session look at how SSDs work, how they perform compared to traditional hard drives, and highlight the things you need to consider when implementing SSDs on your SQL Servers. Be sure not to miss a live demonstration of solid state technology in action!

Speaker(s):

  • Kendal Van Dyke

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Full Text Searching - A Guide for DBAs Devs

Abstract: Users have become familiar with the simple search capabilities of tools like Microsoft Live Search and Google. Did you know you can give your users the same ability to search their data with SQL Server? And it’s as easy as 1-2-3! Come and learn the how to setup and use full text searching with SQL Server.

Speaker(s):

  • Robert Cain

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: A Lap Around SQL Server 2008 Master Data Services

Abstract: If the words “regulatory compliance”, “data governance’, or “merger and acquisition” are voiced at your company you know the importance of keeping accurate master data. We have been given a new feature to help manage this in SQL Server 2008 R2, Master Data Services.

Come join Whitney Weaver as we explore the business application of this feature.

Speaker(s):

  • Whitney Weaver

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: SQL Server 2008 R2- DBA Drill Down Session 3

Abstract: This session will introduce all enhancements in SQL Server 2008 R2 relevant to DBAs. These include improvements in manageability.

Speaker(s):

  • David Rodriguez

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Common Table Expressions

Abstract: Do you need recursive queries, do you want your T-SQL to be easier to read and maintain?

Speaker(s):

  • Ryan Duclos

Track and Room: 2 Chastain Park - N/A


Title: Data Warehouse Assessments - What,Why, and How

Abstract: Have you been asked to deliver a data warehouse project? Do you need to provide access to Production data to end users? Do you see a need (or opportunity) to position data warehousing as a core technology?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, a data warehouse assessment will help you increase your chances of success. This session will discuss what factors typically make up a data warehouse assessment, as well as the opportunities and challenges that are presented.

Speaker(s):

  • Noah Subrin

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: Ad Hoc Visual Analysis

Abstract: Using MS SQL in conjunction with a visual analysis tool like Tableau can leverage can expand the use of your data. This session will demonstrate how rapid-fire visual analysis can enhance the value of your data stores and provide information consumers with ad hoc query capability along with easy interactive dashboard building.

Speaker(s):

  • Dan Murray

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: Introduction to Data Warehousing / BI

Abstract: Business Intelligence is one of the hot job skills for 2010. In this talk you will learn the concepts behind building and designing data warehouses, and cut through the buzz words so you will walk away with a clear understanding of what words like dimensions, facts, and measures mean. You’ll also get a peak at the tools available in SQL Server 2008.

Speaker(s):

  • Robert Cain

Track and Room: 1 Grant - N/A


Title: Configuring SQL Access for the Web Developer

Abstract: This session will demonstrate the ways that ASP ASP.NET applications can be configured to make connections to SQL Server from different versions of IIS so that we can keep our servers secure and our DBAs happy. Session Goals:

  • Learn when to use SQL logins and when to use Windows Authentication
  • Understand the concept of impersonation
  • Learn how ASP and ASP.NET applications can be configured to use impersonation to make secure connections to SQL Server
  • Learn how to configure IIS 5, 6, 7 and Windows XP, 2003, and 2008 to support impersonation

Speaker(s):

  • Kendal Van Dyke

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: QA with MS SQL Escalation

Abstract: Here is your chance to meet face-to-face is MS SQL Support. Meet Chris Skorlinski, member of Microsoft SQL Server Escalation Service Team for QA. Learn how MS Support approaches problem solving and look into some “behind the scenes” work it takes to provide answers to your challenging problems.

Speaker(s):

  • Chris Skorlinski

Track and Room: 2 Highlands - N/A


Title: Solving Real World Problems With DMVs

Abstract: Dynamic Management Views were introduced in SQL Server 2005 and exist today as an extremely helpful tool to utilize for problem solving, both proactively and reactively.

Come join Whitney Weaver as we run through scenarios where DMVs can improve the quality of your life.

This will be a code heavy session with lots of takeaways!

Speaker(s):

  • Whitney Weaver

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Title: SQL Server 2008 R2 Overview - Session 1

Abstract: SQL Server 2008 R2 is the next release of SQL Server with many enhancements to the Base SQL Server 2008 product. This session will overview the significant features and enhancements in SQL Server 2008 R2.

Speaker(s):

  • David Rodriguez

Track and Room: 1 Centennial Park - N/A


Title: Clustering for Mere Mortals

Abstract: failover Clustering is the fundamental technology for High Availability in the Microsoft SQL world. Windows 2008 and SQL 2008 make Clustering easier than ever.

Speaker(s):

  • Geoff Hiten

Track and Room: 2 Buckhead - N/A


Title: Getting started in blogging and technical speaking

Abstract: Are you thinking of starting a blog? Or are you interested in presenting at events like SQLSaturday but not sure what to do to get started? This panel style session with established SQL bloggers will give you tips on blogging platforms, choosing topics, techniques for giving presentations, and sage advice from years of experience.

Speaker(s):

  • Kendal Van Dyke

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: SQL Azure: Data in the Cloud is a Good Thing

Abstract: Evan will talk about how SQL Azure works behind the scenes, plus demonstrate how to use the cloud-based sibling of SQL Server. He will also discuss how to best design your applications to take advantage of the power of SQL Azure.

Speaker(s):

  • Evan Basalik

Track and Room: 2 Midtown - N/A


Title: Common TSQL Programming Mistakes

Abstract: We are going to examine a variety of oopsies MANY developers fall prey too, some obvious, some pretty subtle and some down right sneaky! Lots of code examples with the bad AND good code presented.

Speaker(s):

  • Kevin Boles

Track and Room: 1 Piedmont Park - N/A


Speakers

This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.

Michael Femenella

Mike has been a SQL Server developer/dba/architect for over 15 years. He’s worked for several Fortune 500 companies including Sprint, Nextel and Bank of America and specializes in working with big data. He lives in Matthews, NC with his wife, 4 kids and 3 dogs. He has spoken at SQLSaturday in Atlanta and Richmond and he travels to SQLSaturdays for some quiet time!

Robert Cain

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/arcanecode

LinkedIn: Robert Cain

Contact: http://arcanecode.com

Robert C. Cain (http://arcanecode.com) is a Microsoft MVP, MCTS Certified in BI, and is the owner of Arcane Training and Consulting, LLC. He is also a course author for Plurasight, author for Red Gate’s SImple Talk website, and co-author of 4 books. A popular speaker, Robert has presented at events such as the SQL PASS Summit, TechEd, CodeStock, and numerous SQLSaturdays. Robert has over 25 years experience in the IT industry, working in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing to telecommunications to nuclear power.

Jennifer McCown

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/MidnightDBA

Contact: http://www.MidnightDBA.com/Jen

Jen McCown is CEO of MinionWare, LLC; a Microsoft Certified Master for SQL Server; and an independent consultant. She is Senior Editor at MidnightDBA.com, where she creates training videos, the DBAs at Midnight webshow, blogs, reviews, and podcasts. Jen is a member, volunteer, and speaker in PASS, and the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group.

Aaron Nelson

Twitter: - SQLvariant

LinkedIn: Aaron Nelson

Contact: http://sqlvariant.com/

Aaron Nelson is an author, public speaker, blogger, and leader in the community. He has over 15 years of experience in architecture, Business Intelligence, development, and performance tuning of SQL Server. Aaron has received many certifications and is a six time winner of the Microsoft MVP Award.

Aaron leads the PowerShell Virtual Group of PASS (SQLPS.io), is a board member of PowerShell.org, and is a volunteer at his PASS Local Group, AtlantaMDF.

Troy Gallant

Contact: http://www.troygallant.com

Troy has been a SQL Server professional for over 18 years, filling various roles as analyst, developer, and for the last decade, DBA. As a regular speaker at SQLSaturdays up and down the east coast, he’s taught on a multitude of topics from disaster recovery to performance tuning to professional development. Currently residing in Jacksonville once again, he just got back from two years as Sr. DBA for the EDW of a major international insurance company in New York City.

Kevin Boles

Twitter: - @TheSQLGuru

LinkedIn: Kevin Boles

Kevin Boles is a SQL Server expert, working exclusively with the product since v6.5. With over 25 years of database experience and over 45,000 man hours of SQL Server engine experience, he holds many related certifications, is an MCT and was a SQL Server MVP from 2007 to 2012. Kevin has been a very successful independent consultant for over 20 years. His passion is the relational engine, especially designing, building, analyzing and tuning high-performance database applications.

Michael Femenella

Mike has been a SQL Server developer/dba/architect for over 15 years. He’s worked for several Fortune 500 companies including Sprint, Nextel and Bank of America and specializes in working with big data. He lives in Matthews, NC with his wife, 4 kids and 3 dogs. He has spoken at SQLSaturday in Atlanta and Richmond and he travels to SQLSaturdays for some quiet time!

Robert Cain

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/arcanecode

LinkedIn: Robert Cain

Contact: http://arcanecode.com

Robert C. Cain (http://arcanecode.com) is a Microsoft MVP, MCTS Certified in BI, and is the owner of Arcane Training and Consulting, LLC. He is also a course author for Plurasight, author for Red Gate’s SImple Talk website, and co-author of 4 books. A popular speaker, Robert has presented at events such as the SQL PASS Summit, TechEd, CodeStock, and numerous SQLSaturdays. Robert has over 25 years experience in the IT industry, working in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing to telecommunications to nuclear power.

Janis Griffin

Twitter: - DoBoutAnything

LinkedIn: Janis Griffin

Janis Griffin has over 30 years of DBA/database experience including design, development and implementation of many critical database applications. Before coming to Quest Software, Janis primarily worked in the Telecom/Network Industry, working with both real-time network routing databases and OLTP business to business applications. Janis also held positions as a Principal Architect and Senior Manager, mentoring other DBAs on best practices in database performance tuning.

Whitney Weaver

Contact: http://whitneyweaver.com

Whitney Weaver is a Principal Consultant with Magenic Technologies. He focuses on data technologies within the Microsoft product line. Over the past 10 years he has implemented SQL Server solutions for a number of industries including Energy Management, Financial Services, Health Insurance, Manufacturing, and State Government. Whitney regularly speaks at user groups and other developer events.

Robert Cain

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/arcanecode

LinkedIn: Robert Cain

Contact: http://arcanecode.com

Robert C. Cain (http://arcanecode.com) is a Microsoft MVP, MCTS Certified in BI, and is the owner of Arcane Training and Consulting, LLC. He is also a course author for Plurasight, author for Red Gate’s SImple Talk website, and co-author of 4 books. A popular speaker, Robert has presented at events such as the SQL PASS Summit, TechEd, CodeStock, and numerous SQLSaturdays. Robert has over 25 years experience in the IT industry, working in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing to telecommunications to nuclear power.

Jennifer McCown

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/MidnightDBA

Contact: http://www.MidnightDBA.com/Jen

Jen McCown is CEO of MinionWare, LLC; a Microsoft Certified Master for SQL Server; and an independent consultant. She is Senior Editor at MidnightDBA.com, where she creates training videos, the DBAs at Midnight webshow, blogs, reviews, and podcasts. Jen is a member, volunteer, and speaker in PASS, and the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group.

Michael Clifford

Contact: http://www.mssql-healthit.com

I started with SQL Server in the late 80’s (and have the version 1 disks to prove it). Most of my focus in the last few years has been in Business Intelligence and health care and spent several years consulting with Analysis Services. Later, I was in the first group to attend the week long BI labs at Microsoft. One of my latest tasks has been to integrate spatial technology into an existing MSSQL data warehouse for a large health plan.

Tejas Patel

Contact: http://intenseanalytics.com/default.aspx

Tejas Patel is a Business Intelligence Architect with EyeWonder, LLC. He has 8+ years of experience working in Business Intelligence field. He is a frequent presenter on local and regional technical conferences and events. He has designed and developed enterprise level Business Intelligence Solutions for many fortune 500 companies.

Jack Corbett

Twitter: - http://twitter.com/unclebiguns

LinkedIn: Jack Corbett

Contact: http://www.wisemanorwiseguy.com

JJack Corbett began working with SQL Server, Access, and VB in 1999, when he served an apprenticeship with a good friend who was the software development manager at the local paper mill. He found his niche and has concentrated on SQL Server development and administration since late 2000. He has worked with SQL Server through version 2017 and was a Microsoft Data Plaform MVP from October 2011 to October 2016.

Jack is passionate about helping companies architect, design, and develop high performance applications based on the Microsoft Data Platform. He also has a passion for seeing database developers get the core application code (the database) protected under source control.

Jack has presented at many user groups and SQLSaturday even

Aaron Nelson

Twitter: - SQLvariant

LinkedIn: Aaron Nelson

Contact: http://sqlvariant.com/

Aaron Nelson is an author, public speaker, blogger, and leader in the community. He has over 15 years of experience in architecture, Business Intelligence, development, and performance tuning of SQL Server. Aaron has received many certifications and is a six time winner of the Microsoft MVP Award.

Aaron leads the PowerShell Virtual Group of PASS (SQLPS.io), is a board member of PowerShell.org, and is a volunteer at his PASS Local Group, AtlantaMDF.

Janis Griffin

Twitter: - DoBoutAnything

LinkedIn: Janis Griffin

Janis Griffin has over 30 years of DBA/database experience including design, development and implementation of many critical database applications. Before coming to Quest Software, Janis primarily worked in the Telecom/Network Industry, working with both real-time network routing databases and OLTP business to business applications. Janis also held positions as a Principal Architect and Senior Manager, mentoring other DBAs on best practices in database performance tuning.

Kevin Boles

Twitter: - @TheSQLGuru

LinkedIn: Kevin Boles

Kevin Boles is a SQL Server expert, working exclusively with the product since v6.5. With over 25 years of database experience and over 45,000 man hours of SQL Server engine experience, he holds many related certifications, is an MCT and was a SQL Server MVP from 2007 to 2012. Kevin has been a very successful independent consultant for over 20 years. His passion is the relational engine, especially designing, building, analyzing and tuning high-performance database applications.

Meredith Ryan-Smith

Meredith is a DBA, wife and mother to the only 5-year-old on the block who can recite Codd’s Law. With more than 10 years of experience in IT, Meredith’s responsibilities have included everything from manning the Help Desk to VAX/VMS cluster administration. Most recently she has served as the production database administrator specializing in cluster administration and performance.

Tejas Patel

Contact: http://intenseanalytics.com/default.aspx

Tejas Patel is a Business Intelligence Architect with EyeWonder, LLC. He has 8+ years of experience working in Business Intelligence field. He is a frequent presenter on local and regional technical conferences and events. He has designed and developed enterprise level Business Intelligence Solutions for many fortune 500 companies.

Kendal Van Dyke

Twitter: - SQLDBA

LinkedIn: Kendal Van Dyke

Contact: http://www.kendalvandyke.com

Kendal is a database strategist, community advocate, public speaker, and blogger. A practiced IT professional with over 15 years of SQL Server experience, Kendal excels at disaster recovery, high availability planning/implementation, amp; debugging/troubleshooting mission critical SQL Server environments. Kendal is a Senior Consultant on the Microsoft Premier Developer Support team and President of MagicPASS (http://magicpass.sqlpass.org), the Orlando, FL based chapter of PASS. Before joining Microsoft, Kendal was a SQL Server/Data Platform MVP from 2011-2016.

Whitney Weaver

Contact: http://whitneyweaver.com

Whitney Weaver is a Principal Consultant with Magenic Technologies. He focuses on data technologies within the Microsoft product line. Over the past 10 years he has implemented SQL Server solutions for a number of industries including Energy Management, Financial Services, Health Insurance, Manufacturing, and State Government. Whitney regularly speaks at user groups and other developer events.

Audrey Hammonds

Twitter: - @DataAudrey

LinkedIn: Audrey Hammonds

Contact: http://datachix.com

Audrey Hammonds is a Data Platform Specialist for Microsoft in South Florida. Twenty-one years ago, she volunteered for database training to escape the clutches of COBOL and has never looked back. A firm believer in good fundamentals and solid design, she gets her kicks from making data do nifty things. These days, she gets her kicks from helping customers adopt data services in Azure.

Noah Subrin

Contact: http://blogs.federalsystems.net

Noah is a Technical Lead at SRA International. He has delivered presentations at many developer events in the Southeast. Several of his articles have been published on the SQL Server World Wide User Group web site (http://www.sswug.org)

Chris Skorlinski

Chris Skorlinski has been with Microsoft for 17 years. He is a Support Escalation Engineer at the Microsoft Charlotte NC office specializing in performance tuning and troubleshooting Replication. His is a contributor to SQLShare.com training as well as his own BLOGs on Replication Performance at http://blogs.msdn.com/ReplTalk/. #160;

Kendal Van Dyke

Twitter: - SQLDBA

LinkedIn: Kendal Van Dyke

Contact: http://www.kendalvandyke.com

Kendal is a database strategist, community advocate, public speaker, and blogger. A practiced IT professional with over 15 years of SQL Server experience, Kendal excels at disaster recovery, high availability planning/implementation, amp; debugging/troubleshooting mission critical SQL Server environments. Kendal is a Senior Consultant on the Microsoft Premier Developer Support team and President of MagicPASS (http://magicpass.sqlpass.org), the Orlando, FL based chapter of PASS. Before joining Microsoft, Kendal was a SQL Server/Data Platform MVP from 2011-2016.

Dave Turpin

Contact: http://www.daveturpin.com

Dave is the resident SQL Server (and Netezza) DBA for Quaero, a marketing automation firm and subsidiary of CSG International. He has been working as an information professional for so long that his numerous degrees have no bearing on his work days. He has been working with SQL Server since the glory days of 6.5 circa 1996.

When not DBAing, he can be found cruising Charlotte greenways and bike trails on one wheel.

Evan Basalik

I spent 10 years doing RD for a major textile manufacturer. I joined Microsoft 5 years ago and is currently a Support Escalation Engineer on the SQL Server team. I specialize in connectivity, database client code, and Reporting Services. In addition, he has been working on SQL Azure since before it was even called SQL Azure. .

Dan Murray

Contact: http://www.thedatarevolution.com

Dan has a diverse background in accounting, finance, operations and information technology. Currently, he’s the Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Gold Partner, InterWorks Inc., a full-service technology consultancy. Dan’s initial work in visual analysis occurred in 2007 while the VP CIO of Blastrac Inc when he developed a High Value, Low Cost BI solution using Excel and MS SQL Server in conjunction with Tableau Software.

Louis Davidson

Twitter: - drsql

LinkedIn: Louis Davidson

Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/

Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.

David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez is a Senior Microsoft Database Technology Specialist. He has an extensive Academic background with Masters of Science degrees in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Management. He is also a certified Developer and DBA on the Microsoft Platform. He has 16 years of experience with application development and Database Consulting and has worked for Microsoft for 9 years as a Technology Specialist and a Microsoft Consulting Services Consultant.

Kendal Van Dyke

Twitter: - SQLDBA

LinkedIn: Kendal Van Dyke

Contact: http://www.kendalvandyke.com

Kendal is a database strategist, community advocate, public speaker, and blogger. A practiced IT professional with over 15 years of SQL Server experience, Kendal excels at disaster recovery, high availability planning/implementation, amp; debugging/troubleshooting mission critical SQL Server environments. Kendal is a Senior Consultant on the Microsoft Premier Developer Support team and President of MagicPASS (http://magicpass.sqlpass.org), the Orlando, FL based chapter of PASS. Before joining Microsoft, Kendal was a SQL Server/Data Platform MVP from 2011-2016.

Evan Basalik

I spent 10 years doing RD for a major textile manufacturer. I joined Microsoft 5 years ago and is currently a Support Escalation Engineer on the SQL Server team. I specialize in connectivity, database client code, and Reporting Services. In addition, he has been working on SQL Azure since before it was even called SQL Azure. .

Ryan Duclos

Contact: http://about.me/rduclos

Ryan Duclos is a Lead Technical Consultant for Perficient, Inc. (PRFT), where he is passionate about Microsoft development utilizing the .Net Framework, SQL Server, and Windows Azure technologies. He lives and works in LA (Lower Alabama!) and loves spending time with his family, as well as being a community influencer for Microsoft. Ryan recently became a Microsoft Azure MVP.

Geoff Hiten

Twitter: - SQLCraftsman

LinkedIn: Geoff Hiten

Microsoft MVP Geoff Hiten is a Principal SQL Server consultant for Intellinet.#160; Geoff began working with SQL Server in 1992 with version 4.2 and has used every version since.#160; He specializes in high-availability and high-performance SQL systems.#160; Recent projects include: system upgrades, SQL Server platform migrations, performance tuning, custom reporting solutions, and database strategy implementations.#160;#160; Geoff is currently on the leadership team of the Atlanta area Microsoft Database Forum Use

Jonathan Kehayias

Twitter: - @SQLPoolBoy

Contact: https://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan

Jonathan Kehayias is a Principal Consultant and trainer with SQLskills, and has been recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for over 10 years, and was the youngest person ever to achieve the Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server certification. He has presented at numerous conferences including PASS Summit and SQL Rally, SQLBits, VMware Open Forum, SQLintersection, and multiple SQLSaturdays around the world. As a performance tuning and high availability expert for SQL Server, Jonathan has architected and implemented complex systems and solutions for some of the worlds most challenging workloads.

Chris Skorlinski

Chris Skorlinski has been with Microsoft for 17 years. He is a Support Escalation Engineer at the Microsoft Charlotte NC office specializing in performance tuning and troubleshooting Replication. His is a contributor to SQLShare.com training as well as his own BLOGs on Replication Performance at http://blogs.msdn.com/ReplTalk/. #160;

David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez is a Senior Microsoft Database Technology Specialist. He has an extensive Academic background with Masters of Science degrees in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Management. He is also a certified Developer and DBA on the Microsoft Platform. He has 16 years of experience with application development and Database Consulting and has worked for Microsoft for 9 years as a Technology Specialist and a Microsoft Consulting Services Consultant.

Geoff Hiten

Twitter: - SQLCraftsman

LinkedIn: Geoff Hiten

Geoff Hiten is a Technical Solutions Professional at Microsoft. Geoff began working with SQL Server in 1992 with version 4.2 and has used every version since. He specializes in highly available SQL systems, performance tuning, and systems migration. Geoff is heavily involved in the Microsoft SQL Server Community and was initially awarded MVP status in 2004. Geoff was appointed in 2011 to fill an interim Director position at the National PASS organization.

Ryan Duclos

Contact: http://about.me/rduclos

Ryan Duclos is a Lead Technical Consultant for Perficient, Inc. (PRFT), where he is passionate about Microsoft development utilizing the .Net Framework, SQL Server, and Windows Azure technologies. He lives and works in LA (Lower Alabama!) and loves spending time with his family, as well as being a community influencer for Microsoft. Ryan recently became a Microsoft Azure MVP.

Louis Davidson

Twitter: - drsql

LinkedIn: Louis Davidson

Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/

Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.

Chris Skorlinski

Chris Skorlinski has been with Microsoft for 17 years. He is a Support Escalation Engineer at the Microsoft Charlotte NC office specializing in performance tuning and troubleshooting Replication. His is a contributor to SQLShare.com training as well as his own BLOGs on Replication Performance at http://blogs.msdn.com/ReplTalk/. #160;

Glen Gordon

Contact: http://blogs.msdn.com/glengordon

Glen is a Developer Evangelist with Microsoft. He works with communities of developers in the southeast, bringing them the resources they need to be successful using Microsoft technologies. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2003, Glen worked as an enterprise consultant, and prior to that, as a software trainer. Glen’s current passion is helping people build the next big thing in the Windows Phone space.

Jonathan Kehayias

Twitter: - @SQLPoolBoy

Contact: https://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/jonathan

Jonathan Kehayias is a Principal Consultant and trainer with SQLskills, and has been recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for over 10 years, and was the youngest person ever to achieve the Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server certification. He has presented at numerous conferences including PASS Summit and SQL Rally, SQLBits, VMware Open Forum, SQLintersection, and multiple SQLSaturdays around the world. As a performance tuning and high availability expert for SQL Server, Jonathan has architected and implemented complex systems and solutions for some of the worlds most challenging workloads.

Kevin Boles

Twitter: - @TheSQLGuru

LinkedIn: Kevin Boles

Kevin Boles is a SQL Server expert, working exclusively with the product since v6.5. With over 25 years of database experience and over 45,000 man hours of SQL Server engine experience, he holds many related certifications, is an MCT and was a SQL Server MVP from 2007 to 2012. Kevin has been a very successful independent consultant for over 20 years. His passion is the relational engine, especially designing, building, analyzing and tuning high-performance database applications.

David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez is a Senior Microsoft Database Technology Specialist. He has an extensive Academic background with Masters of Science degrees in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Management. He is also a certified Developer and DBA on the Microsoft Platform. He has 16 years of experience with application development and Database Consulting and has worked for Microsoft for 9 years as a Technology Specialist and a Microsoft Consulting Services Consultant.

Chris Eargle

Contact: http://www.kodefuguru.com

Chris Eargle is a Telerik Developer Evangelist, INETA Director, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional – C# from Columbia, SC, USA. He has over a decade of experience designing and developing enterprise applications, and he runs the local .NET User Group: the Columbia Enterprise Developers Guild. He is a frequent guest of conferences and community events promoting best practices and new technologies. His blog, kodefuguru.com, features content to guide you in becoming a .NET Ninja!

Evan Basalik

I spent 10 years doing RD for a major textile manufacturer. I joined Microsoft 5 years ago and is currently a Support Escalation Engineer on the SQL Server team. I specialize in connectivity, database client code, and Reporting Services. In addition, he has been working on SQL Azure since before it was even called SQL Azure. .

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