vExpert 2026: Reflecting on Seven Years of Community and Growth
2026 marks a significant milestone for me: my 7th year in the VMware vExpert program. As I look back on this journey, I wanted to share what the program has meant to me and how it has shaped my career from a customer to a community advocate.
What is the vExpert Program?
For those who may not be familiar, the vExpert program is VMware by Broadcom’s way of honoring individuals who go above and beyond for the ecosystem. As the program website describes:
“The VMware vExpert program honors individuals worldwide for their notable contributions to the VMware community and ecosystem. It’s not a technical certification but a recognition for your community efforts.”
It isn’t about your job title or how many certifications you hold; it’s about Community Contributions. This includes everything from VMUG leadership and blogging to sharing scripts on GitHub, speaking at sessions, or helping out in the community forums.
Why I Value the vExpert Program
What I personally like most about the program is its focus on sharing and giving back. My philosophy has always been simple: if one person asks me a question about how to handle a process within the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) platform, there are likely dozens of others with that same question.
Instead of just answering one email, I’ll create a blog post. By sharing that knowledge publicly, I can help the entire vCommunity solve that problem.
From Attendee to Advocate
I was first accepted into the program while I was still a VMware customer. Like many of you, my journey started at local VMUG (VMware User Group) events. I went there to learn and network, but after reading so many helpful blogs from others, I felt a pull to contribute myself. The culture of the vCommunity is built on helping others, and I wanted to be a part of that cycle.
My first step was starting my own blog, but my “public speaking” journey took a slightly more specialized route.
The Power of Local Communities
Early on, I was heavily involved in the Healthcare Virtualization Community (HVC). Similar to a VMUG, this group focused on healthcare organizations in the Philadelphia tri-state area. We met quarterly, and it was a fantastic environment where peers shared real-world use cases.
My very first presentation to the community happened at an HVC event. I spoke about how my organization was utilizing VMware Automation for VM builds and Day 2 processes. That experience was the spark I needed.
Finding My Voice: Automation, Monitoring, and Logging
Following that first talk, I found my niche. I began focusing on three core pillars:
- Automation
- Monitoring
- Logging
I continued presenting at Power Blocks and various VMUG events, slowly building the confidence to go bigger. Eventually, I took the leap and submitted a proposal for VMware Explore. Doing my first Explore presentation—discussing the integration of VMware Automation and Salt for VM builds—was a full-circle moment for me.
Looking Ahead
Being a vExpert isn’t just a badge on a website; it’s a commitment to the people who make this industry great. As I head into my 7th year, I’m more committed than ever to the “give back” culture. Whether it’s troubleshooting a VCF deployment or sharing a new PowerShell script, I’m excited to continue this journey with all of you.
To my fellow vExperts and those thinking of applying: keep sharing, keep building, and never underestimate the power of a single blog post to help a peer in need.
Capturing the Moments: A Few Highlights from my vExpert Journey with Friends
- Local VMUG Events -
- Home Lab Setup -
- Hackathon Event -
- VMware Explore Expert Led Workshops | HOL -
- Brock Peterson | Friend, Co-Worker, vExpert Member, Role Model -
- Virtually Speaking Podcast Guest -
- VMware Explore Presentation with Don Horrox, vExpert Member -
- Hackathon Event -
- VMware Explore Presentation with Don Horrox, vExpert Member -
- HVC Event -
- Brock Peterson | First time we met in person after years of online calls -
- Hackathon Event -
- Christopher Kusek | Friend, Co-Worker, vExpert Member -
- vCommunity Friends -
- VMware Explore -
- Salt Conference -
I hope my story gives you a glimpse into what makes the vExpert program so special. I look forward to contributing to the vCommunity for years to come. I encourage you to start your own journey today; the community is ready to welcome you.