Edit: I am still proud to be a Champion.
Originally posted February 16, 2016 on AIXchange
Last fall I wrote about the relaunch of the IBM Champions program. Here’s how I described it back in 2011:
“Apple fanboy” is a moniker that’s sometimes given to those who love Apple products. Along those lines, I guess I’m a “Power fanboy.” I love the platform and the operating systems that run on it. I love the virtualization capabilities, the performance and the reliability. And, as readers of this blog surely know by now, I love telling others about Power Systems servers. I’ve been reading the articles and following the tweets of other Power Champions for some time, which makes me all the more proud to be included in this group and recognized for my efforts.
I was very proud to be chosen as an IBM Champion nearly five years ago, and I’m just as proud to be one of the 17 returning champions — among 34 selections overall — in 2016:
After much reviewing of applications and evaluating contributions, we’re happy to announce the 2016 IBM Champions for IBM Power! We have a total of 34 Champions, with 17 new Champions, and 17 returning Champions.
Congratulations to our 2016 IBM Champions for Power!
These individuals are non-IBMers who evangelize IBM solutions, share their knowledge, and help grow the community of professionals who are focused on IBM Power systems. IBM Champions spend a considerable amount of their own time, energy and resources on community efforts — organizing and leading user group events, answering questions in forums, contributing wiki articles and applications, publishing podcasts, sharing instructional videos, and more!
IBM Champions are also granted access to key IBM business executives and technical leaders to share their opinions, learn about strategic plans, and ask questions. In addition, they may be offered various speaking opportunities that enable them to raise their visibility and broaden their sphere of influence.
Look for an in-depth article on the IBM Champion program and profiles of some of the new IBM Champions for Power in the April issue of IBM Systems magazine.
It’s an honor for me, but I’m also happy for all the deserving recipients. I’ve learned so much from the other 33 people on this list, and I look forward to learning more from them in the future:
Congratulations to:
- Torbjorn Appehl
- Balazs Babinecz
- Aaron Bartell
- Alberto C. Blanch
- Shawn Bodily
- Benoit Creau
- Shrirang “Ranga” Deshpande
- Waldemar Duszyk
- Anthony English
- Pat Fleming
- Nigel Fortlage
- Susan Gantner
- David Gibbs
- Ron Gordon
- Midori Hosomi
- Tom Huntington
- Terry Keene
- Andy Lin
- Alan Marblestone
- Christian Masse
- Pete Massiello
- Rob McNelly
- Brett Murphy
- Jon Paris
- Mike Pavlak
- Trevor Perry
- Steve Pitcher
- Billy Schonauer
- Brian Smith
- David Tansley
- Paul Tuohy
- Jeroen Van Lommel
- Dave Waddell
- Charles Wright