I have been working with Microsoft SQL Server for close to ten years now if you include my college days (yes, my college used SQL Server 7.0 for learning RDBMS purposes). I have literally built my entire career around Microsoft SQL Server and have used the product for development, administration, and now for building DW/BI solutions. Around the 2002 timeframe I became aware of this mysterious elite group of folks called Microsoft MVPs. I perceived that MVPs were the best of the best and thus by winning the award you would prove you were one of the best. On October 1st, 2008 I was informed of being awarded a SQL Server MVP and within just eight days of winning I believe I have grasped the award’s true meaning.

MVPs are technical community leaders that are highly proficient in their area of expertise and most importantly continuously give back to their respective communities. The Microsoft MVP tagline is ‘Independent Experts. Real World Answers’. To me, it is the giving dimension of the award that is most important. I believe that if someone was good (but not great) yet he or she continuously shared the knowledge they did have with their respective communities they would have a much better chance at winning the award as opposed to someone who is very strong technically yet never helps others in the community. Like most things in life, only once you’ve been there do you truly understand a context’s meaning. Finally, I give thanks to the Microsoft MVP program and my MVP lead for the award.

Derek Comingore

SQL Server MVP