TechNet Events Team

Before he applied to Microsoft in 1994, Chris freely admits that he hadn't heard of Bill Gates or his global little computer company. That's all changed now. Chris is an enthusiastic TechNet presenter who gets a huge rush when audience members realize, "I didn’t know I could do that!" If you’re lucky enough to see Chris in action, prepare to be entertained. He tells jokes, shows funny pictures and ensures that learning new technologies is always fast-paced and engaging. He's even working on some simple magic tricks, just to keep it fresh. Chris cites his father as his role model and would only trade in his IT badge for a second career as a limo driver. It would be fun peeking into the lives of people who "can't or don't want to drive themselves around," says Chris.

Dry, sarcastic humor is just one of John's personal trademarks. John started in computers many moons ago working on mainframes, some of which were water cooled. He quickly moved to mini-computers and then joined the PC revolution in the ‘80s. He’s been with Microsoft over 12 years, starting in consulting and moving onto various technology specialist roles. He specializes in Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Group Policy and System Center Configuration Manager 2007. In the last 8 years John has presented hundreds of TechNet events and many product launches. He is currently an IT Pro Evangelist in Microsoft’s East Region, which covers Maine to Florida. As an IT Pro, John loves how new products and technologies are always lurking around the corner. All this new technology presents a major learning challenge, which is why he recently updated his MCSE certification to the new MCITP Server Administrator and MCITP Enterprise Administrator certifications. John's role model, Yosemite Sam, is among the stranger ones on the books, but it's pretty easy to understand his ultimate career fantasy – owning and running a beachside scuba shop in Mexico.

Three words to describe Blain? Driven. Enthusiastic. Busy. In his 14 years at Microsoft, Blain has organized and delivered a wide array of educational programs. He's given over 800 live events and received six top presenter awards the last couple of years. Blain has also worked on Worldwide OEM System Engineering, headed up the Visual Basic support team and created the Microsoft Campus Connection program, which introduces college, university and technical students to emerging Microsoft technologies. In his presentations, Blain’s sometimes known as "the wig guy," who gets his audiences personally involved in every demo or event. He plays the drums in his downtime and taught pro-level snow skiing in Washington State before he moved to Florida. If he wasn't spreading the IT gospel, Blain says he'd build a recording studio and music label to help promote young artists. Given his track record, it's only a matter of time.

Yung has a passion to make complex things simple and simple things intuitive. For instance, he refers software engineering is more an art than technology, not because the inevitable, direct, and overwhelming human subjectivity embedded into every effort of a software development lifecycle from problem definitions, requirements, design, code, tests, maintenance, etc., but simply most colleges include software engineering as a major in the school of arts and science, and not an engineering school. He loves using analogies to help audience better understand highly integrated and sometimes convoluted concepts. This approach does however introduce great challenges when he tries to explain "only mommy knows" or "daddy will do it" as "constrained delegation" to his 1st grader. So far, his IT career has been about helping customers make sense of technologies and solutions and having much fun doing it. In his days off, he enjoys every minute of the fully unplugged and unwired time with his family. And if not playing with his kids, he’s probably on to his next house project.

Chris is passionate about learning, sharing his knowledge, and best of all, he's extremely passionate about technology. He loves showing people how new tools and products can improve their businesses and especially, their lives. Chris has delivered thousands of live presentations and gave the keynote speech at the NPA Awards during Interop 2005. He's also active in the community, and is currently developing a television series to highlight great work in the not-for-profit sector. Chris has a diverse roster of role models, including George Washington, Steve Ballmer, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Victor Frankl. His other loves? Entomology, fly-fishing, "building things" and dessert. Chris claims he's on a lifelong quest to find the best steak and chocolate cake on Earth: "The only time I ever said 'no' to dessert was when I didn't understand the question."

Matt Hester is a seasoned Information Technology Professional Evangelist for Microsoft. Matt has been involved in the IT Pro community for over 15 years. Matt is a skilled and experienced evangelist presenting to audiences nationally and internationally. Prior to joining Microsoft Matt was a highly successful Microsoft Certified Trainer for over 8 years. After joining Microsoft, Matt has continued to be heavily involved in IT Pro community as an IT Pro Evangelist. In his role at Microsoft Matt has presented to audiences in excess of 5000 and as small as 10. Matt has also written 4 articles for TechNet magazine and Matt was also recently published, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Administration Instant Reference by Sybex, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Administration Instant Reference http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Administration-Instant-Reference/dp/0470525398/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

Bob’s interest in computers and technology has been a lifelong passion. His roots in working with computers date back to his early childhood over 30 years ago and since then he’s touched virtually all major business computing platforms in some capacity. A 5+ year Microsoft veteran, Bob was previously a Unified Communications Technology Specialist in Microsoft’s Enterprise and Partner Group where he specialized in all flavors of Microsoft Exchange. Prior to Microsoft Bob had an extensive background in IT and IT Consulting at a number of Microsoft Certified Partners. He is currently an IT Pro Evangelist in Microsoft’s East Region where he covers the NY Metro area and Eastern PA and can share his passion for leading edge technology with those in the community. Probably Bob’s only passions stronger than technology is having fun and travelling with his family where he frequently visits Walt Disney World and warm, sunny places as often as possible. Bob is also actively involved with the community as a Board Member of Westchester Arc and supporting his school district on their Adaptive Technology Committee.

Brian enjoys working with all computer and networking technologies. He enjoys everything from programming and scripting to working with all types of infrastructure. There just isn’t a technology that isn’t interesting to him. Brian enjoys several hobbies outside of computers including rock climbing, trail biking, and swimming. Brian received his Bachelors degree in Management of Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. One of Brian’s passions is computer security and he holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification among other computer industry certifications.

A prolific blogger, Kevin shares his thoughts, ideas and tips on the TechNet Events Bloggers site and the IT Pro community site. He's also a strong speaker and webcaster who's landed several times on Microsoft's top 10 webcast list and has delivered at least three top-scoring TechNet webcasts to date. Kevin has worked as both a developer and an IT pro, so he loves sharing helpful new solutions and technologies with his IT peers. At Microsoft, Kevin relishes the opportunity to generate fresh ideas and run them down to the end zone. It’s a joy he says more companies should offer to their employees. Kevin received his BA in computer science at the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) where he also studied music theory and composition.

Dan brings to the team a seemingly endless supply of energy and excitement. He comes to Microsoft and the TechNet team with over 20 years of technology experience. For much of the last 13 years he ran a consultant and hosting business. Prior to joining the TechNet team Dan was an MVP in Windows Server Files System and Storage. He is proficient in many Microsoft products especially in the server area and holds many certifications. Dan is and has been a very active member of the community. He is president of Boston User Groups, past president and current Culminis liaison and board member for Boston Area Windows Server User Group, and has participated in many non-technology community groups such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Local Chambers of Commerce and is a mentor for the local high schools. Dan will be celebrating his 17th anniversary with his wife (Leslie) in October of this year. He has one child who turned 3 years old in June 2008. His favorite place to go on vacation is Walt Disney World. Outside of the technology field he loves professional football and most of all playing and spending time with his son. Dan is an enthusiastic advocate of technology and is passionate about helping others. Dan's lifelong passion has been to help and teach others!

Some may call John a geek. He prefers the term “technologist.” Truth is, John began working with computers before PCs even hit the scene – and he’s probably got a dusty prototype stashed somewhere to prove it. He’s a fourth generation educator who loves to help people learn new technologies and relishes that magic moment when the light comes on in their eyes. Before joining Microsoft full time, he spent six years as an MCT, training people at a local college and getting new Microsoft hires up to speed. John holds more certifications than he can remember, but the list definitely includes MCITP, MCSE, MCDBA, MCT, and CCNA. His favorite technology is Unified Communications, LYNC and he gets a special thrill from solving customers’ problems. For John, there’s nothing like coaxing people from panic to joy when a server goes down and he can help get the business back up on line. When he’s not working, John can usually be found sailing around Texas with his kids.

Harold studied hard to snag an impressive array of certifications, including MCSE, MCT, CNI, CNE and HP Engineering. He's also delivered "too many events to count," and loves talking to customers about technology, especially when it's connected to deployment and better business impacts. Despite his many technological accomplishments, Harold says his biggest challenge has been raising two children. He's a self-described Type A personality with a dash of perfectionism and a rare even temper – all the better for delivering top-notch events. If he wasn't working in technology, Harold says he'd love to get into the kitchen and start chopping, slicing, dicing and creating gourmet masterpieces as a professional chef.