A Veeam Vanguard Journey
A Career Rooted in Data Protection & Community
From early on, I understood that data protection isn’t just an add-on to IT architecture; it’s a foundational pillar of great IT design. My journey began in IT operations, but it was at Veeam where I truly honed my expertise. As a Sales Engineer, I helped businesses secure, manage, and recover their data with industry-leading solutions.
This role not only deepened my technical knowledge but also introduced me to an incredible community of like-minded professionals—a network that would later define and shape my career.
From Veeam SE to Principal Technologist at Pure Storage
After six years of working directly with customers and partners at Veeam, I transitioned to Pure Storage as a Principal Technologist, where I continue to architect data management and protection solutions. But one thing never changed—my deep connection to the Veeam ecosystem. I remain actively engaged in alliance work between Pure Storage and Veeam, driving joint presentations, technical collaborations, and go-to-market strategies that showcase the power of Pure + Veeam together. Helping organizations build resilient, high-performance data infrastructures by leveraging the strengths of both platforms has been an incredibly rewarding journey.
Becoming a Veeam Vanguard & the Power of Community
Over two years ago, I was honored to join the Veeam Vanguard Program—an elite group of 100+ experts from over 30 countries, united by a shared passion for data protection and availability.
The Veeam Vanguard community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’ve built lifelong friendships, expanded my professional network across the globe, and found a group of peers who challenge and inspire me daily.
Through the Vanguard Summits, I have had the opportunity to engage in deep technical learning, collaboration, and fellowship, gaining early insights into Veeam’s roadmap and sharing ideas with some of the best minds in backup and recovery. These events have been more than just technical sessions—they have fostered true camaraderie, knowledge exchange, and professional growth.
Strengthening the Veeam User Group Community
After my first year as a Vanguard, I became actively involved in the Veeam User Group (VUG) community. Recognizing the importance of peer-driven learning and networking, I have been working to bring back the community aspect of the group and help grow chapters across the Western US. By fostering engagement and collaboration within these user groups, my goal is to create a stronger, more connected community that empowers members to share knowledge and best practices in data protection.
Driving the Veeam-Pure Alliance Forward
Beyond my community involvement, I continue to strengthen the partnership between Veeam and Pure Storage through:
Joint presentations at events, showcasing integrated solutions.
Alliance collaboration, developing strategies that help customers maximize data resilience.
Industry advocacy, sharing best practices through blogs, The SE Journey podcast, and speaking engagements.
Looking Ahead
As a Vanguard, vExpert, and Principal Technologist, I remain committed to fostering innovation, mentorship, and education in the data protection space. My journey from Veeam SE to Pure Storage thought leader has come full circle—still deeply embedded in the Veeam ecosystem, still learning from an incredible global network, and still pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in data resilience.
Now, as I continue to drive innovation through this alliance, I am also setting my sights on academia and research. My pursuit of a PhD in Cyber Defense reflects my passion for understanding how organizations are targeted by cyber threats and how emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing will shape the future of security.
With a long-term vision to give back through teaching, mentoring, and research, I am dedicated to shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals—all while continuing to lead at the intersection of data resilience, security, and technology advancement.
🔗 Follow me on:
VMUG, Veeam Vanguard, and Industry Events