vExpert 2014 Awards

First off I’d like to state how extremely blessed I feel to have been chosen as a VMware vExpert for 2014. This is my second year receiving the award and I feel I could have received it another year or two but I honestly didn’t know about the program until I became deeply involved within the Kansas City VMware User Group.  The program is awesome as it recognizes people who share their VMware related knowledge with others in the community.  For those who don’t know about it the vExpert Award program is comparable to those of other companies such as EMC Elect and Microsoft MVP.  Check out the full list here to see if anyone else you know may be on it.

I’ve heard a lot of complaining the last couple years about the number of vExpert awardees and how this is undervaluing the award.  I’m not one for giving every kid who plays sports a medal but I feel this is a selfish view and all you’re wanting to do is get credit without getting a certification to separate yourself from the rest of the VMware community.  If you want bragging points then please go out and get your VCAP or VCDX.  This award is for SHARING knowledge.  It’s not given to everyone as I personally know a couple people who’ve applied and not gotten it.  I also know people who deserve it and do not apply.

Let’s take a look at the numbers I was able to find via @Cmegroz and other sources:

I personally don’t feel these numbers are out of line.  I know more vExperts will be added to the program this year but it still isn’t an absorbent number.

I do have a major beef with some of the awardees thinking VMware must give them licenses to ALL products within their catalog and should do it right now.  Some complain that they can’t be a great spokesperson for VMware without them.  My question to you is how did you get to this point without it???  I know you all crave for more VMware knowledge but there are ways to do it without complaining incessantly to the vExpert crew about it.

I for one am very appreciative of all the vendors who do give vExperts special perks, such as free training at Pluralsight, HP StoreVirtual VSA license, Login VSI, Veeam, and many moore.  I just don’t get how some people are complaining.

OK, stepping off my soapbox…

I’d like to thank John Troyer, Corey Romero, and everyone else who makes the vExpert program such a success!!! I can’t wait to see all of you at VMUG events and VMworld.