Speakers

Klaus Aschenbrenner (Anecon)

Klaus Aschenbrenner works as a Software Architect for ANECON (Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Data Management Solutions/ISV) in Vienna - Austria. Klaus has worked with the .NET Framework and especially with SQL Server 2008 from the very beginning. He currently travels around the world teaching clients the core concepts of SQL Server 2008.

Christian Bolton (Coeo)

Christian Bolton has been working with SQL Server since 1999 and in 2007 became a Director and Database Architect for Coeo Ltd, a Microsoft Certified Partner focused on large scale and complex SQL Server projects in EMEA. Prior to this, Christian worked for 5 years as a Senior Premier Field Engineer for Microsoft UK working with some of Microsoft’s biggest customers. He is a Microsoft Certified Architect: Database specialising in High Availability, Scalabilility, and Performance Tuning and is co-author of Professional SQL Server 2005 Performance Tuning published by Wrox.
He works out of London and lives in the south of England with his wife and daughter and can be contacted at http://coeo.com or through his blog at http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/christian.

Jeroen Buisman (InfoReports)

Jeroen Buisman founded InfoReports Business Intelligence B.V. in 2005, after working 10 years in auditing firms, and 7 years in IT. InfoReports focuses on delivering business intelligence solutions for the Dutch healthcare providers, using the BI-tools provided by Microsoft. The company has grown from a one-man operation to the current 6 persons, and is still expanding.

Bodo Michael Danitz

Bodo Michael Danitz beschäftigt sich seit fast zwei Jahrzehnten freiberuflich als Berater und Dozent mit Datenbanksystemen. Nach 8 Jahren Anwendungs-entwicklung auf Oracle beschäftigt er sich nun seit rund 12 Jahren mit allen administrativen Themen rund um Microsoft SQL Server. Zu seinen Spezialgebieten gehört insbesondere die Performance Optimierung großer SQL Server Datenbanksysteme, womit er sich mittlerweile weltweit einen Namen gemacht hat. Aus seiner Feder stammen die offiziellen MOC Prüfungsfragen zu SQL Server 2005, mehrere Publikationen in einschlägigen Magazinen und SQLSunrise®, ein automatisches Index Wartungs- und Tuningwerkzeug, das vor allem im Microsoft Dynamics Umfeld sehr großen Anklang findet.

Ralf Dietrich (Damisys)

Ralf Dietrich ist seit 1998 als Trainer und Consultant für Microsoft Betriebs-systeme und Datenbanken tätig. Als MCT, MCSE (Security) und MCITP SQL Server liegt sein Fokus in der Performanceanalyse und im Data Warehouse Design. Mit Yukon (Microsoft SQL Server 2005) beschäftigt er sich seit Mitte Juli 2003. Ihm liegen sichere Servernetze & SQL Server Installationen sowie der Datenschutz am Herzen.

Oliver Goletz (Microsoft)

Oliver Goletz hat nach seinem Studium der Wirtschaftsinformatik in Köln sechs Jahre bei einem Microsoft Gold Partner SQL- und BI-Projekte durchgeführt. Danach arbeitete er anderthalb Jahre als Projektmanager für die Siemens AG in Schanghai und Beijing. Seit einem Jahr ist er als Technologieberater für Großkunden im Bereich SQL und BI bei Microsoft Deutschland tätig. In dieser Rolle führt er regelmäßig Kundenveranstaltungen und EBCs sowie Deep-Dive SQL-Partnertrainings durch.

Bill Graziano

Bill currently serves on the PASS Board of Directors as the Vice-President for Marketing and has presented at numerous PASS Conferences. He co-founded SQLTeam.com, a web site for SQL Server developers and database administrators. In addition to managing the site, he writes articles and helps users with their most vexing problems. An involved participant in the SQL Server community for seven years, Bill was recognized as a SQL Server MVP in 2004 and still holds that designation. He has sixteen years experience as a database developer and DBA and has worked directly with SQL Server for the past seven years. Bill is a partner in ClearData Consulting, Inc. which specializes in SQL Server database administration and application development. In his little remaining time, he enjoys sailing, hiking and photography in flat, land-locked Kansas.

Charley Hanania (UBS Investment Bank)

Based in Zurich, Charley Hanania works as a Senior DB Specialist at UBS. Previously he supported and consulted numerous organisations in DB develop-ment, architecture & administration related areas throughout Europe and Australasia. Charley's focussed on SQL Server since version 4.21 & became active in the SQL Server community in the mid 90's, participating in SQL Server user groups in Australia and continues to lead an active role through community events, SwissITPro & the Swiss PASS Chapter.

Chuck Hawkins (Jenzabar Inc)

Chuck Hawkins has been presenting at PASS conferences since the inaugural PASS conference way back in Chicago. An MCDBA and MCSE, he is a database designer for a leading education software company. For a number of years, he was an "in the trenches" DBA and still keeps this focus in all his work. Now he has moved into the software development field where he is the database architect for a leading higher education product. Along the way, he's written a number of chapters for various publishers.

Robert Hitzelberger (active mining AG)

Robert Hitzelberger entwickelt seit mehr als 10 Jahren verteilte N-Tier-Applikationen. Sein Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den Schichten Business Logic und Data Access. Als Enwicklungsleiter bei dem Microsoft Gold Partner active mining AG verbindet der zertifizierte MCSD.Net seine beiden Leidenschaften, die Mathematik und die Softwareentwicklung, um kundenorientierte Business-Intelligence-Lösungen zu entwickeln.

Reed Jacobson (Hitachi Consulting)

Reed Jacobson has been working with Business Intelligence for over twenty years. Last year, he developed the pre-release course on SQL Server 2005 BI for Microsoft, and delivered it to partners around the world. He has written several books for Microsoft Press.

Scott Klein

Scott Klein is a software developer and architect with passions for SQL Server, .NET and XML. He is the author of three books for Wrox, Professional SQL Server 2005 XML, Professional WCF, and Professional LINQ. He has also of numerous aritles for Wrox.com and TopXML.com.

Steffen Krause (Microsoft)

Steffen Krause ist Technologieberater für die Application Platform bei der Microsoft Deutschland GmbH. Er arbeitet seit vielen Jahren an der Implementation komplexer Informationsmamagement- und Data Warehouse-Infrastrukturen und der Vermittlung von technologischem und Prozesswissen in diesem Bereich. In letzter Zeit arbeitet er insbesondere auf den Gebieten große Datenbanken, Data Mining und SQL Server Security.

Sascha Lorenz (PSG)

Sascha Lorenz ist Gesellschafter der PSG Projekt Service GmbH und arbeitet als Lösungsarchitekt und Senior Consultant (MCDBA, MCSE, MCTS & MCITP) mit dem Fokus auf Microsoft Technologien und Tools (SQL Server & BizTalk). Seit 1996 ist er beteiligt an diversen Business Intelligence Projekten, Workshops und Präsentationen. Er repräsentiert sein Unternehmen als Sprecher auf Veranstaltungen, Konferenzen und Usergroup Treffen. Des Weiteren ist er tätig in der deutschen SQL Server Community als Regionalgruppenverantwortlicher für den Großraum Hamburg. Sascha teilt seine täglichen Erlebnisse mit der Community in seinem Blog saschalorenz.blogspot.com und als Sprecher in der lokalen PASS Gruppe in Hamburg.

Greg Low (SolidQ Australia)

Greg is an internationally recognised consultant, developer and trainer. He has been working in development since 1978, with SQL Server since version 4.2, holds a PhD in Computer Science and a host of Microsoft certifications. Greg is a mentor with Solid Quality, a SQL Server MVP and one of only three Microsoft MSDN Regional Directors for Australia. Greg hosts the SQL Down Under podcast (www.sqldownunder.com), organises the SQL Down Under Code Camp, co-organises CodeCampOz and is a PASS board member. He is the author of a number of books including The Rational Guide to SQL Server CLR and The Rational Guide to Building Technical Communities.

James Luetkehoelter (Spyglass llc)

James Luetkehoelter has been working in the technology arena for the last decade, primarily with database technologies, specializing in SQL Server. Currently he owns a small consultancy focusing on data-centric solutions. He has used his unorthodox (at times just plain goofy) presentation style at many conferences in the US and Europe. In his spare time he catalogs the various pronunciations of "Luetkehoelter". He is currently up to 2,215 distinct variations.

Ted Malone (Configuresoft Inc.)

Ted Malone is currently Product Strategy Architect for Configuresoft, Inc. Ted is responsible for incorporating leading edge technology into the company's flagship product, Enterprise Configuration Manager. Ted is also responsible for the Configuration Intelligence Analytics product, which uses the entire business intelligence stack.
Ted is a featured speaker at many industry events, including Microsoft TechEd, SQL Server Connections, Microsoft Management Summit, etc. Ted maintains his blog at http://portal.sqltrainer.com.

Ross Mistry (Convergent Computing)

Ross Mistry is a partner and principal consultant for Convergent Computing. As a lead architect in the Silicon Valley he designs and implements SQL Server, AD and Exchange solutions for fortune 500 organizations. Ross specializes on SQL Server administration, development and BI. Ross has also taken on the roles of lead author, co-author, and technical writer for a number of books, including SQL Server 2005 Management and Administration, Windows Server 2008 Unleashed and SQL Server 2005 Unleashed.

Allan Mitchell (Konesans)

Allan, began his experience of SQL Server with version 6.5. He provides consultancy on DTS and SSIS to an array of clients based in the US and Europe. Allan is currently working on a number of credit Risk projects at a Tier 1 Investment bank in London. He is an MCSE on Windows 2000, an MCDBA and a Microsoft SQL Server MVP. He is the co-author of Real-World SQL-DMO for SQL Server by Apress and has had articles published in SQL Server Professional Magazine. Allan can be found on the Microsoft public newsgroups answering questions on a variety of topics but in the main on DTS and SSIS (microsoft.public.sqlserver.dts, (microsoft.public.sqlserver.integrationsvcs).

Richard Osbourn (Hitachi Consulting)

Richard is an experienced Business Intelligence and Performance Management professional with more than sixteen years of business intelligence development delivery expertise. He has a broad technical knowledge stemming from his experiences as a product and project manager, as well as a technical trainer. He has specialised in managing projects in product development, business intelligence development and application design for various industries, including hi-tech/software and financial services based on the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform.

Pawel Potasinski (Asseco)

Pawel Potasinski is a database developer and consultant currently working for Asseco Business Solutions S.A. corporation. He has been working with SQL Server since 2000. His focuses are data transfer processes, performance troubleshooting and dynamic code generation. He has worked as a trainer/consultant for one of the best training companies in Poland for four years and he holds MCT certification since 2004. Pawel is strongly involved in SQL Server community in Poland. He is a supervisor of SQL Server forum on WSS.pl - the biggest Polish Microsoft community site. In 2007 he founded the Polish SQL Server User Group (www.plssug.org.pl).

Markus Raatz (ixto)

Markus Raatz is Co-Founder and Managing Director of ixto GmbH, a company specializing in Microsoft Business Intelligence. He has presented the annual SQLDays conference in Munich for five years in a row and is a regular speaker at other European an German conferences. Together with Ruprecht Dröge he wrote the first german book on SQL Server 2005 and again for SQL Server 2008, for Microsoft Press. In his spare time, he is Regional Director of SQLPASS for Berlin.

Michael Rother (CHD)

Seit seinem Studium vor ca. 20 Jahren arbeitet Michael Rother in der Netzwerkadministration und dem Datenbankbereich. Er durfte im In-und Ausland an einigen Datenbankprojekten mitwirken, die noch immer führend in Ihren Bereich sind. Seit 1998 liegt sein Schwerpunkt auf dem SQL Server. Auch hier konnte er als MCSE (Messaging), MCDBA und MCT interessante Projekte realisieren. Seine Kunden schätzen besonders an ihm, dass er die eher theoretischen Arbeit als Trainer und seine praktischen Erfahrung als Berater und Administrator für Sie gewinnbringend verbinden kann.

Remus Rusanu (Rusanu Consulting)

Remus is a database consultant for SQL Server projects and he is specializing in data transfer, batch processing and workflow programming using Service Broker. He is the moderator of the Service Broker forum on MSDN and answers frequently SQL Server questions on other forums and newsgroups. He is a former member of the SQL Server development team with Microsoft where he contributed to the SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 releases and was often involved directly with customers and early adopters asking for guidance and project reviews. He now spends his time between Redmond, WA and Bucharest, Romania.

Marco Russo (SQL BI)

Marco Russo is a consultant and trainer in software development based in Italy, focusing on development for Microsoft Windows operating system. He founded the SQLBI web site, which offers free original components and papers about Integration Services and Analysis Services, plus support discussion forum.
 Marco wrote the "Introducing Microsoft LINQ" book for Microsoft Press and divides his working time between consulting and teaching about MS technologies.

Michael Saß (Quest Germany)

Presales Consultant Application and Database Management, Quest Software GmbH
He covers the Quest solutions for DB2 and SQL Server. He consults and discusses with the customer the best use of Quest Products and the integration in the existing architecture. He can fall back on long-time experience as a DBA. After his apprenticeship he starts as a DBA for DB2 on the Mainframe and AIX for a big German insurance company. Over the years he also covers MS SQL Server and did many data migrations and Data Warehousing projects. He is an expert in data migration, release management and performance topics around SQL Server.

Christian Schütz (HP)

Christian Schütz is Program Manager at HP focusing on the cooperation with software developers. After joining HP in 1996 he has worked in several European functions in the server and solution space before joining HP Germany in 2005. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University Paderborn.

Thomas Strehlow (ORAYLIS GmbH)

Thomas Strehlow, Geschäftsführer, ORAYLIS GmbH;
Thomas Strehlow ist Diplom Ingenieur Nachrichtentechnik und seit 1993 im Umfeld Business Intelligence unterwegs. In den ersten Jahren entwickelte und betreute er DWHs im Umfeld Netzmanagement großer Telekommunikations-unternehmen. 1999 gründete er die ORAYLIS GmbH, ein Beratungshaus für BI. Seit Mitte 2005 spezialisierte sich die ORAYLIS GmbH konsequent auf Microsoft BI und wurde kurz darauf Microsoft Gold Partner. Die persönlichen Schwerpunkte liegen in der Modellierung komplexer DWH Modelle sowie der Transformation von Daten.

Peter ter Braake (CompuTrain)

Peter ter Braake is a MCT specializing in SQL Server. He is responsible for everything that Compu’Train, the Dutch market leader in SQL Server training, is doing with SQL Server, from writing courses to delivering them. In 2005 Peter was one of the founders of the Dutch PASS chapter. As vice president he is responsible for organizing their monthly gatherings. He is speaker at several Dutch events on SQL Server, including the official launch of SQL Server 2008 in the Netherlands.

Henk van der Valk (Unisys)

Henk van der Valk is Workload & Performance Architect and responsible for the European Unisys Enterprise Performance Center located in Amsterdam. Since 2000 Henk is specialized in optimizing large-scale Microsoft application and database solutions; handling high volume / multi Terabyte solutions. (And here to share the tricks!)
He also participates in the Dutch SQLPass Performance Special Interest group (www.sqlpass.nl).

Geert Vanhove (DCOD)

Geert Vanhove started his career in IT in 1991 as COBOL programmer on a mainframe system. In 1994 he chose to focus on databases, first on Sybase, later (1998) -almost- fulltime on Microsoft SQL Server. In 2005 he started his own company - DCOD - mainly focussing on performance tuning of SQL Server OLTP and BI platforms. He was closely involved with some of the most important SQL Server realizations in Belgium - as well in a development as in an operational context.

Bob Ward (Microsoft PSS)

Bob Ward is a senior escalation engineer in Microsoft Customer Service and Support (CSS) based in the Microsoft Regional Support Center in Irving, Texas. He has worked with Microsoft for 14 years and has now supported every release of Microsoft SQL Server from 1.1 for OS/2 to SQL Server 2005. Bob has been presenting topics on SQL Server at the PASS Summit since 2003. His background in the computer industry spans 21 years and includes database development projects with companies like General Dynamics, Harris Hospital, and American Airlines. Bob graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Baylor University in 1986. Bob recently co-authored the book SQL Server 2005 Practical Troubleshooting: The Database Engine including chapters on advanced data recovery and troubleshooting critical errors.

Chris Webb (Solid Quality Mentors)

Chris Webb is a Solid Quality Mentors Associate Mentor who has been working with the Microsoft Business Intelligence toolset since 1998. His main focus is Analysis Services - complex MDX queries and calculations are his particular interest - although he has much experience with Reporting Services, Integration Services and various other related tools. He has worked both as a consultant, including three years with Microsoft Consulting Services, and on internal BI development projects in a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, banking, finance, manufacturing, engineering and retail.
He is a co-author of the book "MDX Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 and Hyperion Essbase" along with George Spofford and others, and is an active member of the Microsoft BI community, contributing regularly to newsgroups and online forums and speaking at conferences.

His weblog can be found here.

Johann Weskandt (Microsoft PSS)

Johann Weskandt arbeitet seit 1995 im SQL Server- Support für die Microsoft Deutschland GmbH in Unterschleißheim bei München. Er kennt also den Microsoft SQL Server seit der Version 4.2a auf OS/2. Seit ca. 10 Jahren ist er dort als Escalation Engineer tätig, um Kunden in Zusammenarbeit mit der Entwicklungsabteilung in Redmond zu unterstützen.
Auf der PASS Konferenz 2005 in München hielt er den Vortrag "Practical SQL Server".

Damian Widera (ezUniverse LLC, Needham)

Software engineer with 7+ years of professional experience in all aspects of software development. Participated in a number of projects in international environments and possesses practical knowledge of procedures and tools which are necessary for successful implementation of such projects. Now he focuses on building solutions based on Microsoft SQL Server environment (including complex database driven systems, database tuning and optimization). Damian is experienced Microsoft speaker and columnist (TechNet sites in Poland), currently participating in the MVP Insider plan.
Damian is responsible now for maintaining SQL Server Community in Silesia Region (PLSSUG Katowice http://slask-msclub.isvclub.com/ , www.plssug.org.pl ).
Damian holds Microsoft Certified Trainer certificate since 2004 and other Microsoft Certifications – Microsoft Certified Solution Developer and Microsoft Certified IT Professional – Database Administrator.
Describes himself as an energetic actor.