Looking back at 2014

As my blog has shown I haven’t been able to blog a lot last year.  Even though I hadn’t blogged there has been a lot that happened for me last year.  The year started as I became the Vice President of the Akron Canton Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals.  Soon it was February and I helped with a lot of the behind the scene activities (stuffing bags, moving chairs, setting up rooms..) for the Cleveland SQL Saturday.  A few months later I went to my fist Information Security conference, B-Sides Columbus.  I was able to present again at the Rochester NY SQL Saturday.  Rochester was amazing again.  However, my T-SQL Basics presentation didn’t go as well as I wanted.  I do want to thank everyone for the great feedback.

As summer approached I was a proud father having my oldest son graduating from high school.  Soon after he started college on his way earning a degree in Nursing.  I spent Father’s day with my daughter at duct tape festival.  It also brought another responsibility for me as I took a role as the Vice President of the Barberton Youth Soccer Association. I also had an opportunity to be part of the Cleveland Give Camp where I was able to work with a great group to work on a website for a non-profit organization in Cleveland.  An I didn’t forget my love for Akron.  I was able again to help with the Akron Hackathon.

As the weather started to get colder and the leaves began to change their color and school started back.  I was given another opportunity to help.  The company I work with and another company partnered with Tech Corps to setup a Techie Club at a STEM school in Cleveland.  The Techie Club works with children in 3rd to 6th grade to get them excited about technology.  It has been an amazing experience.

Speaking of amazing experience.  I was able for the first time to be able to make it to Seattle for the PASS Summit.  The week was great and I can’t wait to do it again.  It has been a very energizing experience.

What’s happening in 2015.   Well to start I will be the President of the Akron Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals.  I’m continuing to work with the Barberton Youth Soccer Association as their Vice President.  January brings sign-ups and we worked on hosting a novice referee clinic to increase the numbers of referees in the area.  I’m also working on getting my referee certification.

I will be helping again with the Cleveland SQL Saturday and will be working on getting another presentation develop to present again sometime this year.

If I had one piece of advice to anyone who is reading this.  Give your time.  Participate in hackathon, a give camp, a SQL Saturday, your local sports team or anything.  I will guarantee you that the experience will be amazing.

Bellow are a few photos from this years journey.  See you in 2016.  Until then be amazing.

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