Thomas AJ Hull is a database professional based in San Diego, and has been working with SQL Server for 25 years (since v6.5). AJ has worked as a consultant in the financial and biotech industries, and is currently a DBA Team Lead at MUFG Union Bank. His certifications include MCSE: Data Platform & MCSE: Data Management and Analytics. AJ enjoys mentoring developers and junior DBAs, and is always striving to learn more through continuing education and involvement in the SQL Server community. His goal is to pass along hard-earned knowledge with practical actionable advice, and believes that the best way to learn something is to teach it.

He presents at User Groups and SQL Saturday events throughout the Southwest (San Diego, LA, OC, PHX, ABQ).

Thomas AJ Hull is a database professional based in San Diego, and has been working with SQL Server for 25 years (since v6.5). AJ has worked as a consultant in the financial and biotech industries, and is currently a DBA Team Lead at MUFG Union Bank.... Show more

As a seasoned IT Operations and Business Management professional with over two decades of extensive experience, I am passionately engaged in collaborating with global organizations to harness the full potential of Dynamics 365 and cloud technologies.

As a founding member and the driving force behind Intelegain, a consulting firm celebrated for its expertise in Enterprise Integration and Software Development, I lead our mission to deliver bespoke solutions across a diverse array of sectors. Our expertise spans Retail, Financial Services, Travel, Workforce Automation, Pharmaceuticals, M-commerce, E-Learning, and more. With a robust presence in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and India, we are well-positioned to serve our clients' needs globally.

In addition to my role at Intelegain, I hold various positions within the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP), the world's largest community of Microsoft partners. As the IAMCP APAC Secretary, I am dedicated to fostering and nurturing the community within the APAC region, ensuring that our members thrive and succeed in their endeavors.

As a seasoned IT Operations and Business Management professional with over two decades of extensive experience, I am passionately engaged in collaborating with global organizations to harness the full potential of Dynamics 365 and cloud technologies.... Show more

Susan Blouin has distinguished herself as a transformative leader with over thirty years of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies through significant growth and strategic development. Her expertise in blending strategic planning, sales, and business development has catalyzed revenue growth and solidified her reputation in national and global markets. In addition to her corporate achievements, she has demonstrated a commitment to community welfare by spearheading the development of a new wellness community in South Algonquin.

Assuming leadership at Portfolio Management Holdings in 2009 as CEO, Blouin has been pivotal in directing the company toward innovative and profitable ventures. Her most significant project to date has been the development of Nomi Resort Club, a $50 million luxury resort. This resort, spread across 850 acres and featuring 1,800 feet of waterfront on Benoir Lake, includes 51 upscale residential units. Her vision was to create a sanctuary combining luxury with nature's serenity, making it a sought-after destination for high-end clientele.

Elise Blouin also played a critical role in the strategic redevelopment of the Nomi Resort, enhancing its offerings and expanding its market reach. Her project management and finance expertise were crucial in restructuring the business to boost its sales and improve its appeal in the competitive luxury market.

Her leadership extended beyond real estate development to generating substantial corporate finance initiatives, effectively securing over $4 million in funding to support various corporate projects. These projects have enhanced operational efficiency and introduced sophisticated financial structures tailored to business needs. Blouin established a professional services group to manage complex transactions and consulting engagements, fostering company growth and stability and recognizing the need for specialized oversight of these ventures.

At Symantec Corporation in Canada, where she served as Executive Director of Sales Operations, Blouin excelled in managing intricate deals that substantially increased company revenues. Her strategic insights and negotiation skills led to securing significant contracts and enhancing Symantec’s industry position and financial health.

Before her tenure at Symantec, Blouin was the Vice President of Contact Centre Sales Practice at Omega Performance, where she significantly improved sales strategies and customer relations, thus bolstering the company’s market presence and operational success.

Susan Elizabeth (Elise) Blouin's role at Bell Canada as Director and subsequently as Executive Director of Enterprise Solutions, Sales saw her surpass sales goals and secure major contracts that notably increased the company’s revenues and expanded its market presence.

In her strategic and managerial roles at AT&T, Blouin secured and managed high-value contracts, demonstrating her exceptional negotiation and strategic partnership management skills, instrumental in AT&T’s sustained growth.

Blouin also contributed significantly to Nortel Networks, managing major global network service projects that enhanced service delivery and operational efficiencies, particularly during the company's strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Blouin's public service commitments include her role as a board member and Commissions Director for Information Management Systems & Library in the City of Mississauga, where she led technological initiatives that greatly enhanced public services and digital access for the community.

Blouin’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and an Executive MBA from Athabasca University, which underpin her professional journey and strategic decision-making.

Susan Blouin’s career is a testament to her leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and commitment to advancing corporate goals and enhancing community well-being. Her efforts have established her as a prominent and respected leader whose impact resonates within and beyond the corporate sphere.

Susan Blouin has distinguished herself as a transformative leader with over thirty years of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies through significant growth and strategic development. Her expertise in blending strategic planning, sales, and busine... Show more

I am a data enthusiast with over 25 years of experience in data processing, database management and associated Microsoft technologies. I specialize in delivering high-quality solutions in data processing, database management, performance tuning, scaling, automation, business intelligence, and analytics. My extensive expertise includes working on numerous projects using SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS, SSAS, Power BI, Power Query, Python, R and PowerShell. As a speaker and mentor, I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others to succeed. I played a key role in starting the Boston Business Intelligence user group, and I have also helped to run the New England SQL Server user group.

I am a data enthusiast with over 25 years of experience in data processing, database management and associated Microsoft technologies. I specialize in delivering high-quality solutions in data processing, database management, performance tuning, scal... Show more

Profissional especializada em Transformação Digital, com foco em Liderança e Gestão de Pessoas, além de amplo expertise em Agilidade, Inovação e Arquitetura de Software. Ao longo da minha carreira, liderei equipes de tecnologia em diferentes capacidades, desde Engenheira de Software até Tech Lead, Líder de Transformação e Agile Coach.

Possuo experiência sólida em gestão de pessoas, abrangendo avaliação de desempenho, contratação e desenvolvimento de carreiras. Sou certificada nas principais metodologias, incluindo Scrum, Kanban, OKR, Management 3.0 e Safe, o que me permite conduzir equipes com eficiência e resultados tangíveis.

Com profundos conhecimentos em AWS e uma sólida compreensão técnica, tenho a habilidade de participar ativamente de discussões de arquitetura, colaborando com outros engenheiros para traduzir as necessidades dos clientes em projetos e conceitos técnicos. Minha especialização em Banco de Dados (relacionais e não relacionais) complementa meu perfil, permitindo-me criar soluções robustas especialmente em integrações entre API's.

Profissional especializada em Transformação Digital, com foco em Liderança e Gestão de Pessoas, além de amplo expertise em Agilidade, Inovação e Arquitetura de Software. Ao longo da minha carreira, liderei equipes de tecnologia em diferentes capacida... Show more

Colin Smith is a seasoned Web3 ecosystem builder, the Founder of AlphaWire, a major Web3 media publication, and the Founder of BlockStart, Scotland’s premier Web3 event. With over a decade of experience in finance, non-profit, and blockchain, he brings a unique blend of financial acumen, strategic partnerships, and operational expertise to the Web3 space.

Passionate about unlocking the transformative potential of blockchain, he is dedicated to fostering a thriving Web3 community in Scotland. Through AlphaWire, BlockStart, and various blockchain ventures, he is driving innovation and exploring the practical applications of Web3 technologies—from cryptocurrency and NFTs to the metaverse. He has also worked closely with major chains such as Solana, ICP, and Base to help build and grow their communities across the UK.

Colin Smith is a seasoned Web3 ecosystem builder, the Founder of AlphaWire, a major Web3 media publication, and the Founder of BlockStart, Scotland’s premier Web3 event. With over a decade of experience in finance, non-profit, and blockchain, he brin... Show more

Christian Glaeser: Azure Cloud Architect @ Nordcloud, from Germany

Christian Glaeser: Azure Cloud Architect @ Nordcloud, from Germany Show more

Camilo Leon is a Principal Solutions Architect at AWS specialized on RDS SQL Server and based off San Francisco, California. Systems Engineer and Microsoft Consulting Services veteran with over thirty years of Software Development and IT Consulting experience working on challenging SQL Server engagements with Fortune 500 companies across the globe.

He works with AWS customers to provide architectural guidance and technical support for the design, deployment and management of their AWS relational database workloads and business applications. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, photography, and movies.

Camilo Leon is a Principal Solutions Architect at AWS specialized on RDS SQL Server and based off San Francisco, California. Systems Engineer and Microsoft Consulting Services veteran with over thirty years of Software Development and IT Consulting e... Show more

Instead of a traditional bio, I asked ChatGPT: "If I were a font, which one would I be?"

The response?

Chris, you’d be Bebas Neue—a bold, confident, slightly unconventional font that still maintains clarity and professionalism. It represents your entrepreneurial mindset, rock-and-roll edge, deep faith, and your ability to balance fun with strategic leadership.
That sums me up well. I don’t fit neatly into a box—I’m an entrepreneur, a musician, a writer, and a teacher. But at my core, I help people innovate, sell, and grow by blending real-world experience with a practical, no-nonsense approach.

Why Hire Me?

Some speakers build their careers by talking about… their speaking careers.
I’m different.

Everything I share comes from real experience—hard-earned lessons from building businesses, making thousands of sales calls, and leading high-growth teams. When I get on stage, I don’t deliver theories. I deliver what works—because I’ve lived it.

Two Numbers That Changed My Life

1. 5,000 Cold Calls
Fresh out of college, I had no marketable skills. My degree in History and Museum Studies wasn’t exactly in high demand. My newlywed wife and I needed to eat, so I decided: I was going to learn how to sell.I took a job selling life insurance. I was terrible. My first-year earnings: $2,163.72. (Yes, I counted the decimals.) I knew I had to do something different, so I focused on mastering cold calling—because most people hated it, which made it valuable. After bouncing between six companies in five years, I finally committed. I took a job at a startup—just me and two other guys working in a bonus room. That year, I made 5,000 cold calls.

2. 9,000 Pitches
Over the years, I’ve pitched AP automation technology 9,000 times. Not because I have a special gift—because I’ve done it repeatedly. Of those 9,000 pitches, 1,200 turned into business. The other 7,800? Most people would call them failures. I call them education.
Here’s my definition of failure: Failure is making the same stupid mistake twice.

Instead of a traditional bio, I asked ChatGPT: "If I were a font, which one would I be?" The response? Chris, you’d be Bebas Neue—a bold, confident, slightly unconventional font that still maintains clarity and professionalism. It represents yo... Show more

Dennis Loh-Mandrella is a real all-rounder when it comes to data solutions in the cloud. He mainly deals with backend topics. Formerly using SSIS and the Azure Cloud (Synapse), today with Microsoft Fabric.
As an expert, he always has the right blueprint ready and keeps an eye on the business benefits. He supports his customers efficiently from the idea to the finished solution.

Dennis Loh-Mandrella is a real all-rounder when it comes to data solutions in the cloud. He mainly deals with backend topics. Formerly using SSIS and the Azure Cloud (Synapse), today with Microsoft Fabric. As an expert, he always has the right bluep... Show more