Are you a Developer or Designer in the NY/NJ/PA area using Microsoft Software? Let’s chat!

Our fiscal year at Microsoft ends in June and the new year begins in July.  It is a time of reflection and re-alignment as we look at past successes and how to best serve our customers moving forward into the new year.  For me it also meant being asked if I wanted to take on a new challenge.  Up until this point I’ve been focused exclusively on large enterprise accounts.  Most of what I’ve done shows up in whitepapers or the stuff you see during the MIX keynotes. 

My main focus this year will be on the people themselves within PA/NJ/NY.  What makes you guys tick?  What are you looking for out of the teams in Redmond? “But Dave you have all this online stuff you do and I’ve seen you at Code Camps!”  True - for those that know me I’m not a big title guy.  I’ve always felt you shouldn’t let your title dictate what you do.  Go out and fill the needs you see and let them figure out your title.  This change is a recognition of that work.  It frees me up so that I can spend more time directly with you – the users of Microsoft software no matter the venue.  Whether you work for a Microsoft Partner, a Corporation, attend a Code Camp, run a User Group, go to a Conference or sit in on a Launch Event I’ll be there! 

I’ve always been a “community” guy at heart.  Going back to high school I proudly lead the Astronomy Club.  I know – so geeky right?  It didn’t matter.  It was a place for us to relax and learn from each other without worrying about the school’s agenda.  That’s what excites me about the communities I have been visiting these past few weeks – passion.  It takes me back to what made all those high school days so exciting.  People are there because they care about their craft and they care about helping each other learn. 

I hope you’ll let me be part of that.  I’m listening.