Microsoft Mothership Calls Kendal Van Dyke
In the journey of life, you meet people you just want to be around. Kendal Van Dyke is one of those people for me. That is why I was tinged with sadness when I learned the mothership called Kendal.
Kendal spent 3 ½ years as an integral member of UpSearch’s SQL Server Practice.? He was so much more than a DBA. Kendal was, without a doubt, a SQL Server Professional clients, team members and the entire SQL Server community responded to, trusted and wanted to work with.
When we started working together, Kendal was a newer SQL Server MVP and member of the PASS Board of Directors.? He was, and remained, uber-devoted to the SQL Server Community.
After all these years, I noticed a couple patterns about Kendal. Most people, in their own way, said he inspired confidence. Kendal’s natural curiosity, insatiable desire to tinker and positive outlook was contagious. He was always an excellent team member admired by everyone. I will miss Kendal’s presence and charming personality.
As evidence of Kendal’s integrity, he made certain to leave UpSearch better than he found us. He even worked to ensure his successor was in place, which we will announce in the coming days.
Effective January 11, 2016, Kendal will be part of the Microsoft Premier Developer Support team.
We believe Kendal’s transition is also a strategic development in the UpSearch – Microsoft partnership.? As a Microsoft Gold Partner, UpSearch calls upon Microsoft’s field support team to ensure our clients get the answers they need, when they need them.? Kendal will now be part of the Microsoft support team UpSearch relies upon.
Microsoft is getting much more than a highly-respected SQL Server Professional. They are getting a great person. Although we are saddened by Kendal’s departure, we take pride that the mothership noticed Kendal.
Please take a moment and help us celebrate the next chapter in Kendal’s journey.
Shawn Upchurch
Founder & CEO
Farewell Our Friend
“As I sat down to write this, it hit me that we only started working together a little over a year ago. It really does seem like much longer. You’ve been a trusted colleague and a friend. It has been a pleasure getting to know you, and a privilege collaborating with you over the past year. I wish you all the best.” ~Colleen Morrow
“I’m certainly glad to have had the experience of working with Kendal. He is a complete professional; personable, knowledgeable, and experienced. I wish him luck in his new endeavors, and look forward to seeing his future successes.” ~David Maxwell
Team Photo at SQLSaturday Cleveland 2015
Thank you to Kendal’s family – Cathy, Casey, Elizabeth, Erin and Emma Grace – for letting him play DBA with us! Kendal is fortunate to have such a beautiful and supportive family.
About UpSearch
UpSearch is a company of data management and analytics experts who enable digital maturity with Microsoft’s technologies. Its mission is to enable every leader to unlock data’s full potential. UpSearch provides full lifecycle support for SQL Server, SQL Server in Azure (IaaS), Azure SQL DB (PaaS), Azure SQL DW (PaaS), Analytics Platform System (APS), and Power BI.