Brent Ozar, SQL Server MCM: Resume

Primary Areas of SQL Server Expertise

Microsoft Certified Master in SQL Server 2008.  Less than 20 people in the US have achieved this certification.

Microsoft SQL Server management and performance tuning.  Focuses on index tuning, query modifications, partitioning and hardware optimization.

Database administration for multi-terabyte databases including T-SQL coding, stored procedures, backup/recovery, high availability.

Coauthor of the book Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting from Wiley/Wrox.

Recognized by Microsoft as a SQL Server MVP, and holds two certifications as an MCITP for SQL Server 2008 Database Administration and for Database Development.

SQL Server Accomplishment Highlights

SQL Server DBA Experience

Principal Consulting Partner
SQLSkills.com
2010 to Current

  • Help companies run SQL Server faster and more reliably.
  • Tune SQL Server by examining current workloads and hardware, making improvements, and measuring the results.
  • Areas of tuning expertise include storage, virtualization, hardware, T-SQL code, database schema, and more.
  • Troubleshoot challenging issues that stymie traditional support teams.
  • Deliver presentations around the world about SQL Server.
  • Write technical whitepapers and articles for trade magazines.
  • Conduct webcasts on SQL Server training topics for the public.

Expert SQL Server DBA
Quest Software
2008 to 2010

  • Achieved the Microsoft Certified Master Certification.
  • Editor-in-Chief of SQLServerPedia.com: design new wiki, recruit and manage editors.
  • Deliver presentations around the world to train DBAs on SQL Server and Quest products.
  • Train Quest developers, support, and sales staff on SQL Server database administration.
  • Work with customers on beta software.
  • Design new features and validate new development.
  • Write technical whitepapers and articles for trade magazines.
  • Conduct webcasts on SQL Server training topics for the public.

SQL Server DBA & SAN Administrator
Southern Wine & Spirits, Miramar FL
2005 to 2008

  • Managed 25+ SQL Servers, from 20 gb servers to a 2 terabyte SAP BW data warehouse.
  • Responsible for disaster recovery planning for SQL Servers. Implemented database mirroring for constant availability of sales force automation and product routing.
  • Implemented Quest LiteSpeed backups to network drives to replace outdated tape-based backups. Backup windows shortened from as long as 16 hours down to under 2 hours, enabling company to keep more backups online.
  • Consolidated SQL Servers with SQL 2005, reducing server count by 50% and saving over $200k in licensing in one year.
  • Rewrote and tuned long-running SQL queries to cut execution time, ease database load and improve scalability.
  • Designed and populated reporting tables, views and stored procedures.
  • Implemented partitioning to handle tables with over 300 million rows.
  • Trained developers on how to write better queries, optimize their applications and to become junior database administrators.
  • SAN administration for over 80 terabytes of storage. Performed capacity planning, maintenance, evaluations, purchasing, benchmark testing.

SQL Server DBA & Architect
UniFocus / Telman, Dallas TX
1999 to 2005

  • Coordinated physical changes and performance monitoring of two replicated production servers, two development servers and one reporting server, all Microsoft SQL Server 2000.
  • Responsible for all database architecture and program design, including survey systems, report developers, OLAP cubes, and interfaces with clients’ CRM software.
  • Data modeling with Case Studio and Erwin.
  • Responsible for backups/restores, monitoring SQL uptime, designing and maintaining DTS packages.
  • Reviewed and optimized SQL queries, stored procedures, views and triggers from other developers to achieve maximum efficiency and scalability.
  • Wrote triggers and stored procedures to integrate 3rd party applications into in-house apps such as project management systems with a minimum of development time, helping the company build new partnerships faster.
  • Profiled and tuned servers on a monthly basis to ensure fast queries and reports.
  • Trained developers on how to write better SQL, how to use more powerful features like table variables, how to avoid cursors, etc.
  • Evaluated OLAP tools, recommended Databeacon, and built web-based OLAP cube reporting systems around it.
  • Created web-based dashboard to show reports produced, average report run time, emails sent, surveys taken, etc.
  • Wrote, designed and produced customer site allowing customers to view reports, place orders, download newer software versions, and set up their own surveys.
  • Created company intranet with help desk ticket and order tracking.
  • Designed and wrote a web application for hospitals to retrieve their billing records over the internet, reducing their retrieval time from 45 days to less than 60 seconds. Achieved a quarter million hits per month from paying clients within 6 months.
  • Worked directly with executives to build demos for sales and marketing.
  • Implemented load balanced web servers for high availability.
  • Evaluated and purchased reporting systems including Actuate, Case Studio, Visual Studio .NET, NetCharts, and UML diagramming.
  • Wrote installation and procedural manuals for support staff.
  • Originally hired as an entry level programmer, and promoted up through the ranks to the lead project manager. Trained and managed a team of 5 programmers to produce systems on time and on budget.
  • Reported to Chief Information Officer.

Network Administrator & Programmer
Wright Investment Properties, Memphis TN
1997 to 1999

  • Managed 30-computer network at corporate office, plus networks at over 25 hotels, including purchasing, choosing contractors for repairs, and internet services. Duties included:
  • Created web-based sales management tool for marketing staff to manage daily productivity.
  • Wrote, designed and produced internet-based data transmission system to get financial numbers to headquarters in seconds rather than hours.
  • Designed company web sites and intranet in ASP and SQL Server 7.
  • Implemented Windows NT Servers & Workstations to replace Unix terminals, including purchasing & installation.
  • Trained company staff on accounting, computer use. Led presentations at company-wide conferences.
  • Wrote company internal audit and accounting manual.
  • Responsible for ensuring license compliance and training staff.
  • Reported directly to Chief Financial Officer.

Technical Skills

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008, 2005, 2000:
    • T-SQL, index performance tuning, RAID array tuning, backups, stored procedures, views, triggers
    • OLAP cubes using Databeacon
    • Member of Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS)
    • Microsoft Certified IT Professional Database Administrator
  • Storage Area Networking:
    • IBM DS4000 controllers
    • IBM Storage Manager, RDAC
    • Fabric zoning, Brocade switches
  • Hardware & Networking:
    • Hardware including server construction, RAID arrays
    • HP DL line, C-class and P-class blades, System Insight Manager
    • IBM System X, Director
    • TCP/IP, DNS
    • Switches, routers, load balancers
    • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Contacting Me

I’m not in the job market right now, but you can email me at Brent@SQLskills.com and I’ll pass opportunities on to my social network for full-time jobs or side contract work that can be done on weekends.  I have thousands of SQL Server followers on LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, and more.

Please include the salary range – I do not pass along job information without salary ranges, no exceptions.  I’ve been burned too many times by friends who followed up on job descriptions only to find out the pay didn’t match market expectations.  Friends in my network are absolutely top-notch developers and DBAs who do not disappoint, but they aren’t actively looking for jobs.  Please respect their time and mine.  Thanks in advance.