vExpert Spotlight: Steve Flanders
Steve Flanders
Today’s vExpert Spotlight interview is with Steve Flanders. Steve is a Consulting Architect at VMware out in the Boston area. Join us today for the LAST #vExpertSpotlight of 2015!!
Thank you to all of my faithful readers/tweeters & IT Gurus who have supported this awesome little project this year. In 2016 we will be doing more interviews, but with a new twist. Stay Tuned. In the meantime, sit back, and follow along with Steve & I.
The Interview
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Trek
Peanut Butter?
Creamy
Favorite Adult Beverage?
Beer
What was your 1st IT gig?
I worked for the DoD at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. I was hired as a System Administrator and initially worked on projects such as Active Directory to LDAP migrating, SAMBA roll-out and as much automation as possible. One day I came across ESX, put together a proposal to purchase hardware and began rolling it out — the rest is history!
What is your current job title and role?
I serve as a subject matter expert on Log Insight and lead Log Insight’s Customer-Oriented R&D group, which owns Customer Experience for the product.
How many years have you been a vExpert?
2 years
What other IT Communities are you involved with or frequent?
What advice would you give to others involved in the VMware community who are looking at becoming a vExpert?
Constantly listen to others, constantly try new things, constantly get out of your comfort zone, but never overthink it. vExperts should be knowledgable, approachable and open-minded.
Do you currently have a Home Lab environment?
Absolutely! I have a custom rack created by gear at Home Depot which houses two Dell T620 servers, a Cisco SG200-24 switch, a Synology 713+ with 513+ expansion bay, and a ASUS RC3200 router. Of course I run vSphere, NSX and vROI as well as my blog on the gear. Oh, and I tinker… a lot.
How do you use VMware products or services in your daily work life?
Being on the Log Insight team I get to touch VMware products everyday. I use Log Insight to troubleshoot Log Insight. I run Log Insight on vSphere as well as vCloud Director. I constantly test integrations between Log Insight and other VMware products.
What certifications do you currently hold (if any)?
VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD
What’s your go to song or music genre when work stress becomes too much?
Electronica/Dubstep
Tell us something about yourself that the community may not already know.
I really enjoy CrossFit, playing guitar and playing chess.
Do you have a blog that you would like to share?
Let us know how to contact you via social media.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/smflanders
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SteveFlanders
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SteveFlanders
Steve thank you very much for being a part of the vExpert Spotlight series! I appreciate you taking time out of your to chat and for being our last interview of 2015!!
Please hit up Steve on Twitter as well as his personal blog.
Lookup and browse the current 2015 vExperts in the vExpert Online Directory
Learn more about VMware’s vExpert Program: https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/vexpert
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