SQLSaturday #394 - Iowa City 2015

Event Date: 05/30/2015 00:00:00

Event Location:

University of Iowa - University Capitol Centre
201 S Clinton St
Iowa City, Iowa

This event has completed. All data shown below is from the historical XML public data available.

Sessions
Speakers
Sponsors

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Sessions

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

Title: Increase your SSIS productivity with Biml

Abstract: Business Intelligence Markup Language (Biml) is an XML language for Microsoft Business Intelligence that can take your Integration Services package development to the next level. Creating template packages added productivity to your Integration Services development effort. If the template design changes after development begins, a fair amount of rework to packages could be needed. See how Biml can help create template packages that can better adapt to changing business needs and allow for more comprehensive design or redesign.

This session will be a demo based session that will inspire you to make Biml your number one integration services development tool. Learn how to use Biml scripts to create staging tables and integration services packages. Add metadata to your Biml scripts and really watch the possibilities expand.

Speaker(s):

Reeves Smith

Track and Room: Database Development - 2520C

Title: Introducing Forensic Analytics with PowerPivot for Excel

Abstract: Despite the wealth of analytical technologies available today, 65% of fraud at public companies is detected through tips, management review, or simple accidents. Forensic Analytics combine human intuition and leading-edge technologies, and can provide superior detection methods to significantly improve the detection and investigation of illegal or unethical activities. In this session, we explore Forensic Analytics: a set of techniques we can use to uncover irregularities in financial data. We also gain an understanding of goals of Forensic Analytics: to enable us to find out how — and why — these irregularities exist, and to find out their source(s) — especially when fraudulent activity is suspected. We discuss guiding principles that are key to isolating data anomalies, and outline a standard, repeatable process to Forensic Analytics. Throughout the session, we view examples of how we can employ PowerPivot for Excel to drive Forensic Analytics via various tests and reviews.

Speaker(s):

William E Pearson III

Track and Room: Self-Service BI - 2520D

Title: Getting Started with Analysis Services 2012 Tabular

Abstract: The Analysis Services 2012 Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM) unifies Multidimensional (OLAP) and Tabular (relational) options for organizational BI. In this session, BI Architect, SQL Server MVP and Analysis Services Maestro Bill Pearson introduces Microsoft Business Intelligence 2012 and the Business Intelligence Semantic Model (“BISM”). He then overviews the Tabular model, beginning with the creation of a project with SQL Server Data Tools (“SSDT”), and continuing from the data import steps to the creation and management of calculations, measures and Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”). Finally, he provides insight to the creation and maintenance of perspectives and hierarchies, as well as other considerations involved in working with Tabular.

Speaker(s):

William E Pearson III

Track and Room: Enterprise BI - 2523

Title: WIT Panel

Abstract: The definition of confidence is “belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities” but the authors of the new book “The Confidence Code” define confidence as “the quality that turns thoughts into actions.” Traditionally men have been found to have much more confidence in themselves than do women. For example, in a study at Hewlett-Packard, men applied for a promotion when they thought they could meet 60% of the qualifications while women applied only when they thought they could meet 100%. Attend this WIT session to learn more about confidence and how it impacts your career and life. To prepare for the session, it is recommended that you complete The Confidence Quiz (http://theconfidencecode.com/confidence-quiz/)

Speaker(s):

Kathi Kellenberger

Track and Room: Personal Development - 2520D

Title: An Introduction To Resource Governor in SQL Server

Abstract: Do you have multiple databases with distinct workloads running on a single SQL Server Enterprise Edition instance? Have you ever had a runaway process or bad query from one system bring an entire instance to its knees, impacting a wide range of end users? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then come learn about Resource Governor for SQL Server. We’ll spend the first part of this introductory session going over the concepts you will need to know in order to implement Resource Governor successfully. Once we’ve covered the basics, we’ll spend the rest of the session working through a number of demos, reviewing exciting enhancements to Resource Governor in SQL Server 2014, and discussing scenarios in which you can use Resource Governor in your environment right away. Hardware resources are a valuable commodity. Learn how you can control them effectively in a multitenant environment, ensuring they are assigned where they need to be.

Speaker(s):

Paul Timmerman

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520C

Title: Power to the Prototypes: Using Power BI to Deliver Better SQL Reporting

Abstract: As SQL Server professionals, we have a complicated relationship with Excel-based tools. Rather than broadly paint Excel as friend or foe, why not learn how Power Query Power Pivot can improve the SQL Server solutions you develop? In this session, we’ll cover scenarios where Power Query and Power Pivot can be leveraged to get the most from the proof-of-concept phase of your reporting, ETL, analytics projects. Learn how Power Query can help you test the quality of your data well before the production ETL is deployed. We’ll also cover how Power Pivot can help you visualize the structure and granularity of your data, and why it’s the perfect “gateway drug” for SSAS cube development. If you’ve ever had a BI project fall flat because “We didn’t know what we didn’t know” or want to avoid delivering a hundred reports when the data merits ten, this is the session for you!

Speaker(s):

Gina Meronek

Track and Room: Self-Service BI - 2523

Title: Every Byte Counts: Why Your Data Type Choices Matter

Abstract: Ever encounter a table consisting only of BIGINT, CHAR(255), and NVARCHAR(MAX) columns? Did your gut tell you that this is bad, but you had difficulty explaining why? Did you know that these data type choices can be a real performance killer?

Attend this session to learn how database records are stored within SQL Server, and why all data types are not created equal. Armed with that knowledge, we will then explore several performance scenarios that may be impacting your systems right now!

When you leave, you will be able to explain to your colleagues why data type choices matter, assess your own systems, and implement some best practices to mitigate these performance killers.

Speaker(s):

Andy Yun

Track and Room: Database Development - 2523

Title: Extending Your Availability Group for Disaster Recovery

Abstract: Did you know that SQL Server Availability Groups can be a great solution for disaster recovery? Availability groups have become well known for their high availability capabilities, and for good reason: they work well, they remove some of clustering’s limitations, and they are fairly straightforward to setup. Extending an availability group to multiple sites for disaster recovery becomes more complicated. A lot of moving parts have to come together for it to work properly - SQL Server, Windows, Active Directory, and DNS all get involved in this advanced configuration. In this session, we’ll discuss some of the factors that complicate a multi-site availability group deployment, and we’ll walk through a multi-site deployment so you can see how it’s done.

Speaker(s):

Ed Leighton-Dick

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520B

Title: The Many Paths of Consulting

Abstract: People often dream of becoming a consultant, but what does that actually mean? Is consulting really the right path for you? Many choices are available when deciding to become a consultant, but these options can be overlooked. Contracting, consulting for an established team, going out on your own, or looking to build a larger business are all great options, depending on your vision and future goals.

This session will help you ask the right questions to better chose and prepare for your path. We then explore the various realities and strategies of each path. Real-life experiences will be shared to help you make the most informed decision on which path is best for you, and how to accelerate your career as a consultant.

Speaker(s):

David Klee

Track and Room: Personal Development - 2390

Title: Right-Sizing Your SQL Server Virtual Machine

Abstract: Virtualizing your top-tier production SQL Servers is not as easy as P2V’ing it. Sometimes allocating more resources to the VM is the wrong approach, and getting it wrong will silently hurt performance. What is the most effective method for determining the ‘right’ amount of resources to allocate? What happens if the workload changes a month from now?

The methods for understanding the performance of your mission-critical SQL Servers gathered over the past ten years of SQL Server virtualization will be addressed, and valuable processes for performance statistic collection and analysis will be displayed. Come learn how to properly ‘right-size’ the resources allocated to a VM, improve the performance of your SQL Servers, and keep it maximized well into the future.

Speaker(s):

David Klee

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520D

Title: Table Vars and Temp Tables – What you NEED to Know!

Abstract: Almost every SQL Developer is familiar with Table Variables and Temporary Tables. While each of these objects represents temporary storage, there are also substantial differences between them. Understanding the differences between Table Variables and Temporary Tables, and the ramifications that those differences cause, is essential to being able to properly select the appropriate object for use in your development tasks. In this code filled session, we’ll discover the differences and similarities of Temporary Tables and Table Variables, dispel some widespread myths about each, and answer the most important questions of them all, “When do I use one or the other and what are the various impacts of doing so?”

Speaker(s):

Wayne Sheffield

Track and Room: Database Development - 2520C

Title: SQL Server Compression and what it can do for You

Abstract: SQL Server 2008 has introduced Table compression to the DBA toolkit. We all know there are different kinds of compression available in SQL Server. What some may not know is the subtleties of compression. Such subtleties include that not all Page Compressed tables are entirely page compressed. This session will show you how to reach into the database and discover compression states at the page level. At the lower level, this session will also show how to determine compression settings of objects in the database. Participants will be able to use undocumented commands as well as commands such as PIVOT to derive some interesting information from the database engine.

Speaker(s):

Jason Brimhall

Track and Room: DBA - Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning - 2390

Title: Introduction to PowerShell for the DBA

Abstract: One goal of a DBA is to automate gathering information such as the specifications of all of your SQL Servers. In this session we will show you the basics of the PowerShell language. Then we will move on to how you can use PowerShell to go through a list of servers and grab information like the processor specs, check if the machine is a virtual image, memory size, SQL version, etc. and produce a formatted Excel file with the information.

Speaker(s):

Joshuha Owen

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2390

Title: T-SQL Window Function Performance

Abstract: Window functions were first introduced with SQL Server 2005 and enhanced with SQL Server 2012. They enable easy development and great performance…well, sometimes. Learn what you need to know to take full advantage of these features. What you don’t know can hurt you when you are using window functions.

Speaker(s):

Kathi Kellenberger

Track and Room: Database Development - 2520D

Title: Building the Modern Data Platform Whiteboard Session

Abstract: The modern data platform is more than a server in your data center. It goes far beyond that with the ability to reach beyond your data center to the cloud. Through cloud offerings, you have the ability to grow past your current hardware limitations and deliver data solutions that grow and expand with your data needs. In this white board session, we’ll explore cloud offerings for your data platform and how the support the needs of DBA to provide the infrastructure and performance that data platforms demand.

Speaker(s):

Jason Strate

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520D

Title: Data Discovery with Power Query for Excel

Abstract: Power Query, a free add-in for Excel 2010 and 2013, will enhance the self-service business intelligence offering from Microsoft. With Power Query the business analysis along with the BI developer can combine and shape data from a wide variety of data sources in a quick and easy manner. This task can enable more time to be spent in analysis and discover and less time build ETL plumbing.

This session will demo the ease of the data extraction process in Power Query. We will explore multiple data sources and even modify the language to create a foundation for further exploration into Power Query.

Speaker(s):

Reeves Smith

Track and Room: Self-Service BI - 2390

Title: Mastering queries into XML data.

Abstract: If you’ve never queried an XML column you definitely want to attend. While targeted to beginners this isn’t a “Just do this” session. After this hour I’d like you to truly understand even subtle nuances of basic query syntax. Seasoned veterans stand a fair chance of learning something new.

Speaker(s):

Rick Bielawski

Track and Room: Database Development - 2520C

Title: How to use Execution Plans to find Performance Issues

Abstract: This is a introductory session on how a DBA and developers can use Execution plans to find performance bottlenecks. This will cover the fundamentals and cover some of the basic techniques that can be used to find hidden performance problems.

Speaker(s):

Dave Bland

Track and Room: DBA - Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning - 2520B

Title: PoShDBA: Practical PowerShell for the DBA

Abstract: This session will cover real world functions that are used for real DBA work. There will be a few slides but mostly demos with actual scripts to help you do your job. I will also introduce some SQLPSX to assist as well. Things like Reading/Changing the following: Permissions, DB Owner maintenance and database space management. We all could use a few standard things in our DBA world of ever changing roles and “I have to have it now” stuff, that Management Studio can get in the way of getting it done faster. Join me for a fun PowerShell hour.

Speaker(s):

Ben Miller

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2523

Title: Agile BI Methodologies with MS BI tools (PowerPivot, PowerBI) [Sponsored]

Abstract: In this session, we’ll discuss Agile BI Methodologies and benefits of rapid prototyping of reports using Microsoft BI Tools like PowerPivot and PowerBI. We will also look at what’s new in the PowerBI preview app and cross-platform and cross-browser support.

Speaker(s):

Chaitanya Khaladkar

Track and Room: Enterprise BI - 2523

Title: Strategies for SQL Server Index Analysis

Abstract: Properly managing indexes for a database is a common usse in many environments. When reviewing an index, should it have a single or multiple columns? Should the table be a heap, a clustered index or clustered columnstore index? These considerations are often at the forefront when analyzing your indexes. In this session, we’ll look at easy methods for identifying new indexes, we’ll review patterns for index consolidation, and discuss how and when to remove indexes. At the end, you’ll have a strategy that helps design indexes to improve performance.

Speaker(s):

Jason Strate

Track and Room: DBA - Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning - 2520D

Title: Securing Microsoft SQL Server

Abstract: Having a good understanding what security features are available and what configurations are considered best practice can be crucial to your company’s data security. My experience at many dozens of companies indicates that more than 90% of all database implementations don’t follow some of the most fundamental best practices. Learn to view security differently and how key builtin security features can be leveraged to make your systems both more maintainable and more secure.

Speaker(s):

Rick Bielawski

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520B

Title: Using Extended Events in SQL Server

Abstract: Extended Events were introduced in SQL Server 2008. With SQL 2014, we have seen a significant upgrade to this feature. Join me for a little adventure into the realm of extended events. We will discuss how to use extended events to aid in performance tuning and in day to day administration. We will also explore some background and the architecture of extended events. This is a fast paced session and will be a lot of fun. Attendees will be able to take back several sample XE sessions to help troubleshoot different issues and get to more intimately know their data/environment.

Speaker(s):

Jason Brimhall

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2390

Title: TSQL Best Practices for SQL Engine Kindness

Abstract: This session will take a look at things that you should regularly know and use when coding TSQL. How can you be really friendly to SQL? The items covered will show you things that will help ensure that your code is readable, efficient and maintainable. We will look at query semantics, datatypes, things to avoid as well as how to be super friendly to the SQL Engine and allow things to work well.

Speaker(s):

Ben Miller

Track and Room: Database Development - 2523

Title: Mission Critical Confidence – (SQL 2012/2014 AlwaysOn) and Availability Groups

Abstract: AlwaysOn is SQL Server 2012/2014’s High Availability solution. It provides a new standard for mission critical databases and end-to-end business intelligence at a lower total cost of ownership. It provides the required 9S of availability without the total cost and complexity. In this session, we’ll specifically explore high availability databases – Availability Groups. AG is a new feature that enhances and combines database mirroring and log shipping. We’ll demonstrate the setup and failover of multiple databases simultaneously.

Speaker(s):

Mark Skiles

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2390

Title: The Fundamentals of Great SQL Query Performance

Abstract: Whether you’re a SQL developer or a DBA, a sound understanding of the factors that make a query perform either well or poorly is vital. In this session, you’ll learn (through many examples) how to find performance pitfalls in your code and the best ways to mitigate those issues.

Speaker(s):

Matt Wigdahl

Track and Room: Database Development - 2520B

Title: How to Determine What Data Is Corrupt

Abstract: There are two kinds of DBAs in the world – those who have experienced corruption, and those who will. Join me for this session to learn what corruption is, how it can occur, and how to check if your data is corrupt. And if you do find corruption, I will show you how to identify what data is affected using DBCC CHECKDB and DBCC PAGE.

Speaker(s):

Frank Gill

Track and Room: DBA - Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning - 2520B

Title: Microsoft APS - SMP vs. MPP [Sponsored]

Abstract: Get to know more about the Microsoft Analytical Platform System and how a MPP system is different than a SMP system.

Learn about how the MPP architecture can benefit hundreds of business use-cases and scenarios while providing phenomenal performance gains over a traditional SMP architecture.

Speaker(s):

Chaitanya Khaladkar

Track and Room: DBA - Architecture and Tools - 2520C

Speakers

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

Andy Yun

Twitter: - SQLBek

LinkedIn: Andy Yun

Contact: http://sqlbek.wordpress.com

Andy Yun is a SentryOne Principal Solutions Engineer and a former Microsoft MVP. He has been working with SQL Server for nearly 20 years as both a Database Developer and Administrator. Leveraging knowledge of SQL Server Internals and extensive experience in highly transactional environments, he strives to make T-SQL leaner and meaner. Andy is extremely passionate about passing knowledge onto others, regularly speaking at User Groups, SQLSaturdays, and PASS Summit. Andy is a co-founder of the Chicago SQL Association, co-Chapter Leader of the Chicago Suburban User Group, and part of the Chicago SQLSaturday Organizing Committee.

Gina Meronek

Twitter: - @equerystrian

LinkedIn: Gina Meronek

Contact: http://ginameronek.com

Gina Meronek is a Business Intelligence, Application Architecture, and IT Management professional with 18 years of experience applying the right people and tools to produce genuinely useful technology. She is dedicated to transforming data into information that solves problems via the right system architecture and interactive data visualizations. Gina has been active in the SQL PASS Community for a number of years and is passionate about sharing knowledge with other data geeks in her community. When not glorying in all that Power BI can do, she loves reading, riding her horse, or attending theater with her husband.

Jason Brimhall

Twitter: - sqlrnnr

LinkedIn: Jason Brimhall

Contact: http://jasonbrimhall.info

Jason Brimhall has more than 20 years of experience and has worked with SQL Server 6.5 through SQL Server 2019. He has experience in performance tuning, high transaction environments, and large environments. He is currently a consultant specializing in performance tuning, server analysis, and problem resolution. Jason is a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) and a Data Platform MVP.

Rick Bielawski

LinkedIn: Rick Bielawski

Rick has 35 years experience as a systems, applications and database architect having designed major systems for such institutions as NASDAQ, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ecolab and Emperex. He holds multiple certifications including MCITP and MCSE in Business Intelligence and Data Platform. Rick currently designs database systems for custom software applications and likes speaking at local user groups and SQLSaturday events.

David Klee

Twitter: - kleegeek

LinkedIn: David Klee

Contact: http://davidklee.net

David Klee is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware vExpert with a lifelong passion for technology. David spends his days focusing on the convergence of data and infrastructure as the Founder of Heraflux Technologies. His areas of expertise include cloud, virtualization, performance, and business continuity. David speaks at a number of national and regional technology related events, including PASS Summit, VMware VMworld, SQLBits, SQLSaturday events, and many SQL Server User Groups.

Kathi Kellenberger

Twitter: - auntkathi

LinkedIn: Kathi Kellenberger

Contact: http://auntkathisql.com

Kathi Kellenberger is the editor of Simple Talk at Redgate and a Data Platform MVP. She has worked with SQL Server for over 20 years and has authored, co-authored, or tech edited over a dozen technical books. Kathi is the co-leader of the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group and a volunteer at LaunchCode. When Kathi isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, singing, and climbing the stairs of tall buildings. Be sure to check out her courses on Pluralsight.

Ben Miller

Twitter: - DBAduck

LinkedIn: Ben Miller

Contact: https://dbaduck.com

Ben has been a member of the SQL Server Community since 2000. He loves a challenge and has fixed many SQL Servers and helped hundreds of people get more out of their DBA jobs. He is a Data Platform MVP a SQL Server Certified Master (MCM). He has worked at various companies throughout the USA, as well as at Microsoft for 7 years. He is passionate about SQL Server Infrastructure, High Availability, Automation and Integration using SMO and PowerShell. He teaches DBAs how to use PowerShell to do their job and teaches SQL Server Internals. He is @DBAduck all around the web (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blog) so let’s catch up.

Jason Brimhall

Twitter: - sqlrnnr

LinkedIn: Jason Brimhall

Contact: http://jasonbrimhall.info

Frank Gill

Twitter: - skreebydba

LinkedIn: Frank Gill

Contact: http://skreebydba.com/

Frank Gill is a Senior Data Engineer at Concurrency With 21 years of IT experience, the first 8 as a mainframe programmer, he has developed a love of all things internal. Over the past several years, he has worked extensively with SQL Server solution in Azure, including Managed Instance. When not administering databases or geeking out on internals, Frank volunteers at the Art Institute of Chicago and reads voraciously.

Ed Leighton-Dick

Twitter: - eleightondick

LinkedIn: Ed Leighton-Dick

Contact: http://www.edleightondick.com

Ed Leighton-Dick is a Microsoft MVP, SQL Server performance and architecture specialist, and Founder/Principal Consultant of Kingfisher Technologies. He is a frequent volunteer with PASS, including current roles as a Regional Mentor, co-leader of I-380 PASS local group, and co-leader of the HA/DR virtual group. He can often be found teaching sessions at local, regional, and national events, including user groups, SQLSaturday, and PASS Summit.

Wayne Sheffield

Twitter: - @DBAWayne

LinkedIn: Wayne Sheffield

Contact: http://blog.waynesheffield.com/wayne

Wayne Sheffield, a Microsoft Certified Master in SQL Server and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional, started working with xBase databases in the late 80’s. With over 25 years in IT, he has worked with SQL Server (since 6.5 in the late 90’s) in various dev/admin roles, with an emphasis in performance tuning. He is the author of several articles at www.sqlservercentral.com, a co-author of “SQL Server T-SQL Recipes”, and enjoys sharing his knowledge by presenting at SQL events worldwide and blogging at http://blog.waynesheffield.com/wayne

William E Pearson III

Twitter: - @Bill_Pearson

LinkedIn: William E Pearson III

Contact: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=02C5CD07-7511-4151-A678-3A4A3451F85E

Bill Pearson created Island Technologies Inc. in 1997, and has developed a large and diverse customer base since. Bill#39;s background as a CPA, Internal Auditor, Management Accountant, and SQL Server MVP (BI) enables him to provide value to clients as a liaison between Accounting / Finance and Information Services. Bill has implemented enterprise business intelligence systems over the years for many Fortune 500 companies and focuses his practice upon the integrated Microsoft Business Intelligence

David Klee

Twitter: - kleegeek

LinkedIn: David Klee

Contact: http://davidklee.net

Rick Bielawski

LinkedIn: Rick Bielawski

Chaitanya Khaladkar

Contact: http://blog.gnetgroup.com

Chaitanya is a Solutions Architect with GNet Group, a Microsoft Gold Certified Data Analytics and Collaboration partner. He has over 10 years of in-depth experience leading and architecting solutions in areas of Data Analytics/BI, Data Governance amp; Master Data, and Collaborative Business Applications.

Reeves Smith

Twitter: - SQLReeves

LinkedIn: Reeves Smith

Contact: http://reevessmith.wordpress.com

Reeves Smith, owner and principal architect of Macer Consulting, is passionate about applying data technologies that empower organizations. Reeves wields his knowledge and experience to lead, design, architect, and teach, working with both data center and business project teams. He approaches every project by first understanding the organization’s business challenges, and then developing a unique approach that targets those business needs accurately and effectively.

Reeves Smith has more than 20 years of experience working on the SQL Server stack. He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master, and regularly delivers technical presentations at international, regional, and local conferences and user groups.

Chaitanya Khaladkar

Contact: http://blog.gnetgroup.com

Dave Bland

Twitter: - @SQLDave29

LinkedIn: Dave Bland

Contact: https://www.davebland.com

Over 20 years of SQL Server experience that includes being a DBA, BI development and Application development using VB.NET. Dave currently is the Manager of the DBA team at Stericycle. Dave is a Friend of Red-Gate for 2019. He is a frequent presenter at SQLSaturday events and user groups around the country. Has been teaching SQL Server since version 2000 and is the SQL Server instructor at Harper College in Palatine, IL. Current certifications include: • Microsoft Certified Trainer • MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance • MCTS: SQL Server 2008, BI Development and Maintenance • MCSA: SQL Server 2008 • MCSA: SQL Server 2016 • MCSE: SQL Server 2016 - BI • MCDBA: SQL Server 2000 • MCSD • MCSE: Data Management and Analytics

Mark Skiles

LinkedIn: Mark Skiles

Mark Skiles is a (BI) Solutions Architect with Architect IT in Des Moines, IA. He and his wife live in Carlisle, IA. He is an international consultant and has worked for EDS in Taiwan and traveled extensively in China and Southeast Asia. He has over 28 years of technology experience and has worked with SQL server since 1995. His areas of interest are designing and integrating large scale databases and continual improvement in the presentation of data – ways to turn data into decisions.

Joshuha Owen

Contact: http://www.bitsbyteswords.com/

A Senior Business Intelligence Consultant with Pragmatic Works by day and all-around geek at all times. I enjoy working with data technologies as well as dabbling in other areas such as web programming and the Google APIs.

Jason Strate

Twitter: - @stratesql

LinkedIn: Jason Strate

Contact: http://www.jasonstrate.com/

Jason Strate is a SQL Server Solutions Architect with Pragmatic Works. He is also a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and MCM. He has over 15 years of experience developing, architecting, and managing data platforms. Jason writes, blogs, and presents on SQL Server.

Matt Wigdahl

Twitter: - @mlwigdahl

LinkedIn: Matt Wigdahl

Contact: http://wigdahl.net

Matt Wigdahl is Director of Software Quality at ScriptPro LLC and a SQL Server MCP. He has configured, developed with, and optimized queries for SQL Server for over 15 years, on both sides of the developer / DBA line.

Paul Timmerman

Contact: http://blogs.lessthandot.com/index.php/author/mndba/

Paul is a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and the Lead SQL Server DBA at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Paul has fifteen years of experience in database administration and currently the Chapter Leader of the Minnesota SQL Server User Group, PASSMN. Paul is an active member of the PASS community and routinely speaks at user group meetings and SQLSaturday conferences.

Jason Strate

Twitter: - @stratesql

LinkedIn: Jason Strate

Contact: http://www.jasonstrate.com/

Reeves Smith

Twitter: - SQLReeves

LinkedIn: Reeves Smith

Contact: http://reevessmith.wordpress.com

Kathi Kellenberger

Twitter: - auntkathi

LinkedIn: Kathi Kellenberger

Contact: http://auntkathisql.com