PASS Community Spotlight
Each month, we profile a member of the PASS community to get to know the dedicated, behind-the-scenes volunteers around the world carrying out PASS's mission to Connect, Share, Learn. Have a volunteer you'd like to see profiled? Contact us today!
Andrey Korshikov | Pam Shaw
Tampa Bay SQL User Group leader Pam Shaw still remembers her first user-group meeting ever – the one that got her hooked on the SQL Server community. Then she fell head-over-heels for SQLSaturdays, and weekends for this BI and reporting expert will never be the same.
Tell us about your life with SQL Server – how did you get started, what are you doing now, and what do you enjoy most about your current position?
I have been a developer a long time. I started on Commodore Business models, moved to RPG II on a System 36 and then into the world of PCs as a Foxhound. My focus was always getting the most out of the data to better serve my clients.
After 13 years, Fox was starting to be the red-headed step child. So when I was offered the option to move to the Web team to do reports, I jumped. The front end was VB-generated HTML, but the back end was SQL Server 7.0. Once the report engine was complete, it was more about the data than anything else. I was in heaven. I was able to manipulate the data and generate reports that made my clients happy. A couple of years later, we converted all of this to Reporting Services, and I have been hooked ever since.
About 4 years ago, I was a casualty of a buyout, and my life was changed. I have been consulting since then. Most of my roles focus on reporting, but I enjoy all aspects of the BI world. It is about the data. We spend so many resources collecting and protecting the data. It seems that BI is how we can actually make use of the data we have been serving.
As president of the Tampa Bay SQL User Group, how would you describe the value of user groups to someone new to them? Do you remember what it was like attending your first user group meeting?
My first user group meeting sold me forever. I was in need of help. Our reports were running slowly, and the topic that night was Determinant Functions by Jeff Garbus. It turned our project around and saved the day. Not every meeting will be an "ah-hah,” but there are very few that I do not take away something helpful from.
The biggest takeaway, though, are the connections. The users who get the most out of the user groups are those who do more than show up, listen, and leave. They see the focus as the presentation. But the real focus is the people. It’s not only about what you get – but what you can give.
What are some of the coolest meeting features or events the Tampa Bay group has put together? What are your biggest challenges or something you would like to see for the future of the group?
Some of our better meetings have been impromptu because a speaker fell through or could not be found. These are the meetings where the members tend to interact more with one another. I also get a kick out of members who step up and speak for the first time. I always learn something new because of the fresh perspective. I fondly remember the first presentation Jorge Segarra (blog | Twitter ) gave many years ago during a short session.
Our meetings after the meetings at the local watering hole are the glue that binds the group. It is where the relationships are built and strong connections are made within the community.
As for challenges, Tampa Bay is a large geographic area. Our meeting location is by no means central, which has made attendance from the other side of the bay spotty. I am working toward multiple meetings to allow everyone a fair shot at attending. But currently, finding speakers has been the challenge. Unfortunately, since my expertise is BI and the group's focus is not BI, I usually cannot fill in as the speaker.
You were the first person to give SQLSaturdays a try after Andy Warren's launch event. How many SQLSaturdays have you organized or participated in, and what keeps you coming back for more?
I am currently working on my fifth SQLSaturday in Tampa. I also attended or spoke at most of the early Florida SQLSaturdays. The last couple of years have been full of challenges when it comes to timing of events, so I have been missing more than I have been able to attend. Still, I love the connections I am able to make at the events. There are so many cool people in the community, and a SQLSaturday is a good way of meeting a large number of people. They are like mini PASS Summits without the jet lag at the end. What's more, they offer a great learning opportunity. You never know what twist a new speaker will bring to a topic you thought you knew very well.
SQLSaturday #110 Tampa is just around the corner on March 10 – what are you most looking forward to at the event?
I am stoked at the number of speakers new to me this year. I have quite a few speakers traveling from out of town. I also have two great speakers leading full-day pre-cons on March 9: Eddie Wuerch will be leading “The DBA Skills Upgrade Toolkit,” and Bill Pearson is leading “Getting Started with PowerPivot & Other Microsoft BI Topics.” For only $99 per person, the pre-cons are a real bargain.
What are you reading now in the technical space? How about outside the tech world?
I am slowly making my way through Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance as I start to work toward my first certification. I tend to use technical books as reference material , so this is one of my first technical reads. I am more of a hands-on person.
I am currently listening my way back through Asimov's Foundation Series as I take road trips. I recently finished The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, which I read to be able to better communicate with my 15-year-old son.
What would you most like to see improved about SQL Server? What are you most excited about in the new SQL Server 2012 release?
My husband would spout that I want to see data-driven column widths on reports – it was a sore spot for a long time. But really I would like to see some more advances in the reporting realm. SQL Server 2012 has number of these, which has me excited to dig in. I am hoping for time to play after SQLSaturday is on the books. I am looking forward to playing with the Big Data options that 2012 offers. I think several of the new features could really benefit some of my clients.
Tell us a little about where you live, your family, and what you like to do when you're not working or focused on SQL Server or the database community.
I live about half an hour north of Tampa with my husband of almost 21 years (who is my high school sweet heart) and my soon-to-be 16-year-old son. Both my boys are black belts in Shotokan karate. They participate on the tournament team, so I spend a lot of weekends at karate competitions. My son is also learning to drive, so my prayer life has kicked into overdrive.
My de-stressing time is spent making jewelry. It is like the joy of seeing a report I have created come into being when I finish a new jewelry piece. I work with beads for the most part and put my hand to a number of styles and methods. I am never at a loss for a gift to give a friend.
What's a favorite tech session you've seen recently? How about the favorite presentation you've given?
My favorite session this past Summit was by Jessica Moss (blog | Twitter) on managing your report server. It gave me a number of ideas about how to better help my clients as I leave them for my next assignment.
My first SQLSaturday presentation was “Tips and Tricks for Reporting Services.” It has to be my favorite because it has grown with me over the years – migrating from 2005 to 2008. It is the session that usually gets me connected to those trying their hand at reporting. However, I am retiring it for the most part. I am in the process of working up its predecessor, “How to Take the Scary out of Monster Reports.” I was honored to be selected to present it at SQLSaturday #111 Atlanta in April.
What does "community" mean to you?
Community is like the second family you get to choose. SQL people welcome everyone. I was so stoked to see the welcome given to the first-time attendees at Summit this year. When I find myself beating my head against the wall with a technical issue, I know I can reach out and, at the very least, be offered a direction to look for the solution. I've watched this group pool resources to assist someone down on their luck or health. There are so many times where encouragement from the group has made the difference between a rotten day and a stellar day. I encourage all who have not stumbled into the community to find your way in. It is a wonderful place to be.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of Andrey Korshikov, the first Russian-language 24 Hours of PASS will debut April 12. And if this community builder has his way, Russia and nearby countries will soon be seeing many more user groups for SQL Server and BI pros.
Tell us how you work with SQL Server and what path you took to your current position.
I graduated from the Department of Applied Mathematics at Kuban State University in 1998, and my specialization has been in computer programming. I have worked with Microsoft technologies since 2002, including SQL Server 2000 and the .NET Framework. I received my Microsoft Certified Trainer certification in 2005, and now as a freelancer, I work as an independent specialist on Microsoft SQL Server and Business Intelligence.
What led you to organize the first Russian-language 24 Hours of PASS event?
The vision for the Russian version of 24 Hours of PASS is to give more people the opportunity to gain access to quality SQL Server information for free and wherever they are located. I have learned so much as an attendee at user group meetings and conferences, and have been fortunate to share my own experience and knowledge as a frequent speaker. Last year, I organized the Microsoft BI Technical Conference 2011, South Russia, and learned a lot about creating successful events. I have also enjoyed attending previous 24 Hours of PASS events, and I wanted to bring the same conference to life for the Russian-speaking audience.
What are your goals for the Russian 24HOP, and do you have any particular focus for the sessions?
We are looking forward to a well-attended 24 Hours of PASS, with top speakers and high-quality technical content. Industry experts and Microsoft employees are involved in the event, and we want to give listeners interesting technical material that is not available in blogs and articles.
Tell us a little about the SQL Server community in Russia - what are the key opportunities and challenges community leaders face in bringing together database professionals for learning and networking across your large country?
Unfortunately, Russia currently has only four user groups focusing on SQL Server and BI. We still have the MCP-club communities, which unite IT Pro experts; you can find them at http://ineta.ru. But I would like to see more communities for database professionals who work with SQL Server. There is a great demand for information and connecting with other DBAs and developers.
We are such a young community and still in the early stages of organizing that finding a variety of speakers can be a challenge. If anyone reading this interview is interested in speaking at meetings or conferences or helping organize user groups, I would be very happy to get acquainted with them – just send me a note on Twitter at @andreykorshikov.
How did you first become involved with user groups and PASS?
I lead the Krasnodar SQL Server and BI user group, which we founded in autumn 2010 and which became a PASS Chapter in February 2011. We typically have 15 to 20 people attend our meetings. I am also working to organize new PASS Chapters both in Russia and in nearby countries. Through user groups, we can learn so much from each other, sharing our problems and how we have solved them, and really support each other in the community.
What are the most popular session topics at your user group meetings right now?
Information about new features coming in SQL Server 2012 and how to best use SQL Server now are the most interesting to our attendees. At future meetings, we will be focusing on performance, indexing, undocumented features in SQL Server, data mining, SQL Azure, and more.
You are also a Microsoft SQL Server MVP. What SQL Server features are you most interested in today?
Every year, SQL Server becomes more popular in Russia. It is used in both large companies and small and performs well across all industries. I spend most of my time developing and administering databases and creating BI solutions for clients. I see a lot of opportunity for businesses to gain value with self-service BI, and I plan to speak and teach more about PowerPivot and Power View this year.
You have a number of Microsoft certifications, including the MCT, MCITP, MCPD, MCSD .NET, and MCDBA. How important are certifications in Russia?
I initially passed the examinations for many of the certificates under older versions of SQL Server and the .NET Framework, and as an MCT, I am obliged to continue those certifications. But even if there were no such requirement, I would keep up with the new exams because I like to ensure I stay current with the technology. The certifications also help provide an independent way for my clients to feel confident about my abilities and knowledge.
What do you like to do in your free time when you're not focused on SQL Server or the database community?
I am married and have two sons. So in my free time, I love to spend time with them, as well as read and skate. I was born and still live in Krasnodar, a town in the south of Russia, near the Black Sea. It is more than 200 years old and received its name after the Great October Revolution. You can translate the name as “red gift”; but earlier, the word “red” meant “beautiful,” so I like to think that the name of our city means “beautiful gift.”