Over the course of my 33 year IT career there have been a few days that have been milestones. Today was one of those days! I am incredibly proud to have been accepted into the Microsoft Regional Director Program.

“The Regional Director Program provides Microsoft leaders with the customer insights and real-world voices it needs to continue empowering developers and IT professionals with the world’s most innovative and impactful tools, services, and solutions.”   

Opening the email this morning I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading. I was nominated in February and had mentally prepared myself for the polite message saying I hadn’t made the grade. I could feel myself shaking with excitement!

One thing that has become very clear to me is that there are people who have more faith in me than I often have myself. They have encouraged and supported me over many years. Today could not have happened without the community of people I am lucky enough to be part of. Thank you!

I would also like to thank everyone for the congratulation messages today. It has honestly made my day and I appreciate the nice words.

Regional Directors act in a non-paid advisory capacity with Microsoft. On an ongoing basis, RDs are asked to participate in scheduled strategic feedback sessions with Microsoft senior leadership teams. Because of their community leadership positions, passion, commitment to technology and business excellence, RDs have a regular outlet where they can express real-time customer and community feedback directly with Microsoft engineers and the senior leadership team, including Satya.

Where to from here? Well, the first meeting will be in August and then I will know more.

In the meantime, I am proud to have this opportunity to help represent the people who use Microsoft technologies and to help empower everyone to do more!

Steve Knutson RD & MVP