Greetings. It’s time to vote for the open PASS Board of Directors positions. I want to start by thanking some folks.

Thank you to the Nomination Committee for their time and effort on this process:

Bill Grazziano
Grant Fritchey
Robert Davis
Lori Edwards
Bob Pusateri

I would like to thank the four candidates, all of whom have shown a passion for this community, not just with their words, but with their actions.

Ryan Adams
Tim Ford
Argenis Fernandez
Jen Stirrup

This is never an easy decision to make. I know each of these great people and have no doubt that the outcome would be great for PASS for any of them to sit on the Board.

Here are my votes, with the rationale behind each.

Jen Stirrup

I know that Jen is the only candidate for EMEA and a vote here isn’t really necessary. I am voting for her anyway because I have tremendous respect for her and the work she has already done on the PASS Board. I love how great she has been in terms of transparency. I love how she has served as a champion for the data professionals out there that aren’t DBAs or Database Developers. While the core of PASS has long been, and continues to be, with our Database Administrators and Developers, it is vital, in my opinion, for PASS to also embrace the data analysts, data scientists, and consumers of data. One way is via the PASS Business Analytics Conference. Our DBA and Database Developer friends put a lot of time and effort into helping to store our vital data and keep it safe and secure. We keep and safeguard that data so we can USE it. Jen has served well in speaking for those people.

Tim Ford

Tim has shown excellent leadership in continuing the success of the SQL Saturday program, which I believe in very strongly. To me, between his direct involvement with SQL Saturdays, his efforts on SQL Cruise are also fantastic. I hope to do one some day. 🙂 I think Tim has demonstrated his passion and ability to lead and I would like to see him continue those efforts. I do also appreciate his support for the PASS Business Analytics Conference and serving that community.

Ryan Adams

I met Ryan Adams when I was a PASS Regional Mentor. We chatted at a Regional Mentor’s meeting at PASS Summit and participated in discussions at the PASS Chapter Leaders meeting as well. I was amazed to hear how he performed that role. I was amazed at his organization and his passion for his chapters and for PASS. He made me want to be a better Regional Mentor myself. I chatted a bit with the Chapter Leaders in his region. They were in awe at how helpful he was for them and had nothing but praise and appreciation for Ryan. I knew during those conversations that it was only a matter of time before I would see his name on a ballot for the PASS Board. I also knew that I would vote for him when it happened. The time has come.

I mentioned that this is a very hard decision. Argenis is a brilliant SQL Server professional with a tremendous passion for this community. I think he is a great candidate for the PASS Board. I have every confidence that we will see his name on a ballot again. At this time, I feel that my three choices above are the ones I need to make.

My fellow PASS members, I implore you to vote. Please make your voice heard.