Daniel Kimberlin
Cambia Health Solutions - Sr. Database Administrator
Portland, Oregon, United States
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I’ve worked in IT for over 25 years with jobs in helpdesk, systems, SQL dev, data architecture, and management. The one thing all of these roles have in common is people. I love the technical and puzzle elements of the job, but people are a part of everyone’s journey. It has become my mission to find ways to bring the personal touch to everything I do. I am part of the Microsoft Certified Trainer Alumni program, I love teaching, and because of this I have been honored to speak at industry events and corporate training venues such as WebMD Academy, PASS Summit, SQL Saturday, and Spiceworks conferences.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Version Controlled DBAs: Building a PowerShell module that keeps everyone in sync
DBAs are expected to embrace DevOps, but how do you actually implement version control for database work? We'll build a PowerShell module from scratch that keeps your team's scripts, configurations, and processes in sync. Walk away with working code you can customize and deploy immediately.
You Don't Have to Go It Alone: The Power of Mentorship in Tech
Many of us tend to be loners, some by choice. It's hard to ask for help, and many feel isolated on their career journeys. But mentorship - both having and being a mentor - is the fastest way to find fulfillment and accelerate your career. We'll explore why mentorship matters in tech and walk away with practical strategies for finding mentors and becoming one yourself.
From Solo to Strategic: Collaboration Skills That Boost Your Tech Career
Collaboration isn't just nice to have in tech; it's career critical. Yet many technical professionals struggle to build the cross-team relationships that drive visibility and advancement. This session breaks down practical strategies for IT professionals to enhance their collaborative skills, build stronger partnerships, and increase their impact across the organization. Walk away with actionable techniques and real examples you can implement immediately.
What Am I Doing Here? Imposter Syndrome and You
One day you're on top of your game, the next you're wondering "Do I even belong here?" Imposter syndrome hits more tech professionals than you think. This session covers recognizing when doubt creeps in and practical strategies to push through it - for new professionals and leaders alike.
Using the Right-Sized Hammer: Fix SQL Server Problems Safely Without Overengineering
One small query can create hours of chaos - this session shows you how to fix SQL Server problems at the right scale without creating new ones.
SQL Server provides numerous tools for addressing performance and reliability issues: index recommendations, query hints, plan guides, trace flags, Resource Governor, compatibility levels, and cluster settings. However, misusing these tools, or overreacting to a single problematic query, often creates more problems than it solves.
The Challenge:
How do you choose the right solution without overengineering? When is a simple index enough, and when do you need query hints or plan guides? How do you avoid creating maintenance nightmares while fixing today's problems?
What You'll Learn:
Through real-world scenarios, this session teaches you to:
- Identify root causes vs. symptoms in SQL Server problems
- Apply a practical decision framework for right-sizing solutions
- Recognize when "best practices" become overengineering
- Implement safe fixes that match your organizational constraints
- Avoid common pitfalls that escalate simple problems into complex ones
Real-World Examples:
- Cross-database queries with mixed CE/compatibility levels
- Resource-intensive DBCC CHECKDB operations causing production impact
- Automatic failover configurations that created new problems
- Query hint escalation that painted teams into corners
Key Takeaway:
A repeatable framework for evaluating SQL Server problems, implementing appropriate fixes, and creating maintainable solutions - without overengineering or "underengineering".
Who Should Attend:
Full-time DBAs, sysadmins managing SQL Server, developers optimizing queries, and accidental DBAs seeking practical problem-solving strategies. This session assumes basic understanding of SQL Server architecture and query execution.
Session Format: Live demos, decision framework walkthroughs, and case study analysis.
Sometimes No is the Best Fix: Protecting SQL Server from Well-Intentioned Requests
We've all been there: a developer needs a query hint, management wants a trace flag enabled, a vendor recommends a configuration change, or someone needs "just a small" schema shortcut. The request seems reasonable, so you say yes. Then you spend the next six months dealing with the consequences.
This session shares real production war stories where saying "yes" created technical debt, performance problems, and maintenance nightmares. Through these failures, you'll learn to recognize the warning signs, understand the technical reasons these requests backfire, and gain the confidence to say "no" professionally when it protects your SQL Server environment.
What You'll Learn:
- Real production scenarios where "yes" was the wrong answer
- Technical patterns that lead to compounding problems
- How to recognize requests that create long-term technical debt
- Evidence-gathering techniques to support your position
- Professional approaches to pushing back with grace
Who Should Attend:
DBAs, senior database developers, and anyone responsible for SQL Server environments who faces pressure to implement quick fixes or workarounds. Learn from others' expensive mistakes so you don't repeat them.
Session Format: War stories, technical analysis, and practical guidance for saying "no" professionally.
SQL Saturday Oregon/SW Washington Sessionize Event
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