Personal

In July 2007, I was originally awarded Microsoft MVP for Windows User/Shell. This area tended to confuse people because they thought it was related to batch files or PowerShell.

In the following months, I was nominated for Forefront MVP and OCS MVP. Both were very flattering because it meant I was getting attention from Microsoft from multiple sources. At the time, I had no idea you could have a 'primary' competency and a few secondaries. OCS and Forefront ended up as my secondary competencies.

2007 and 2008 were very busy years for this blog and for myself. Mostly positive, and I enjoyed what I was doing.

Thankfully, in July 2008, I was re-awarded the MVP and the category changed from Windows User/Shell to Windows Desktop Experience. This confused people much less and I was honored to be chosen again.

Midway through that MVP year, I was invited into the newly formed Windows Systems and Performance MVP group. It was a smaller group of MVPs and more in line with the topics I had been covering during that time. A great match, and I was able to keep my same MVP lead.

At the end of 2008, my work had a reorganization and I changed from being just a Microsoft Consultant to a Microsoft Unified Communications Consultant. This meant my day to day work life would revolve around Exchange 2010 and OCS 2007 R2 for the most part. Thankfully, I've been doing Exchange since version 5.5 and OCS since it was called LCS 2005, in beta.

Overall, this meant this blog would slightly shift focus as I worked specifically on UC projects.

In July 2009, I was re-awarded the MVP for Windows Systems and Performance.

After a lot of thought and consideration, I recently asked to be moved from the Windows Systems and Performance MVP group over to the OCS MVP group.

I'm happy to announce that they approved the move and now, I'm in my 3rd MVP category in 3 years, Office Communications Server.

In general, that doesn't mean I am going to leave the other aspects I've traditionally covered or gave speeches about, including Windows 2008 R2, Windows 7, Exchange 2010 and anything else that captures my attention.

Overall, I'm just excited to be in this MVP group as it aligns with my work environment.

At some point, I want to go for the OCS MCM (Microsoft Certified Master).