My grandmother came to the United States in the early sixties looking for a better life for her family.  She left behind four children who would join her over the next four years.  She worked as a maid to a family in Connecticut and earned $50 a week–$45 of which would go back to her family in Costa Rica.  Those efforts led the family here, where my father earned his bachelor’s degree from BYU and then later earned a masters from Clemson University; the first in the family.  She continued to work until her body would not let her and always encouraged us to do our best.  Her sacrifices those 55 years ago led to all the blessings my family now enjoys.  Grandma is one my heroes.

Of course, I would not be able to pursue independent employment as I know it today if it weren’t for my family–especially my wife who has supported me and my sometimes crazy whims.  I am grateful for their support and am glad I have a partner for all eternity. 🙂

Also, I need to give a shout out to Andy Leonard, who helped start the Richmond SQL Server Users Group.  Before we even knew what PASS was, Andy was there with a group of folks in Richmond talking shop and his even though he hasn’t had direct interaction with the group for some time, his influence is still felt and the core leadership team are involved because of Andy’s example.  The opportunity to belong to that group has been all the difference in what I have been able to do professionally.