Before joining Microsoft, I spent nearly two decades helping IT professionals grow their careers through hands-on, practical training. I started at Microsoft as a Premier Field Engineer and later on a Senior Cloud Solution Architect, supporting customers as they modernized their data platforms and adopted Azure.
Today, as the Worldwide Solution Lead for the Global Delivery Data and Apps portfolio, I focus on driving workshop consistency, strengthening IP governance, and scaling skilling through structured readiness programs across the delivery community.
I have been a Microsoft Certified Trainer since June 2000, and along the way, earned 66 Microsoft Certifications. I had the honor of representing the United States as an MCT Regional Lead (2012–2022), supporting thousands of trainers and helping raise the bar for instructional excellence. One of my proudest moments was being the 2018 Enrique Lima Award recipient for MCT Community service that was voted on by my peers from around the world.
I’ve also been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for Data Platform (2016–2018), which reflects my long-standing affection for SQL Server and the data community. I continued to deepen my expertise by earning the SQL Skills Blackbelt for SQL Server. My journey has always blended hands-on technical work with teaching, writing, and community leadership. The constant through all of it has been one simple passion: To educate, elevate, and empower everyone to achieve more.
A few highlights:
- New Horizons Top 25 Worldwide Technical Instructor in 2015 and 2016
- Co‑Organizer for SQL Saturday Indianapolis (2015–2020)
- PASS Summit Ambassador (2017–2019) and Speaker (2018)
- Microsoft Ignite MCT Ambassador (2015–2021)
- Microsoft IP Contribution Platinum Award (2023 – 2026)
- Microsoft Delivery Excellence Builder Award (2025) and Accelerator Award (2026)
- Microsoft Top Marks Gold Award for Customer Satisfaction (2026)
- Guest speaker at over 80 SQL Saturday and Azure Data Community events across the U.S.
Additionally, I have also served as the Technical Editor for Apress Publishing on both the SQL Server 2022 and SQL Server 2025 Query Performance Tuning books and have developed video training content for Apress focused on T‑SQL Query Writing.
A much younger John earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boys Scout of America in 1986 and served in the Indiana Army National Guard from 1987 through 1993.
- Bachelor of Science: Network Administration
- Master of Business Administration: IT Management
- 66 Microsoft Certifications and 88 Microsoft Exams
- Microsoft Certified Trainer (2000 – Current)
- Microsoft MVP Alumni (Data Platform)
- Enrique Lima Award 2018
- SQLSkills Blackbelt – SQL Server 2019
