I was once asked in a job interview what surprised people most about me. I responded “Well, there are really two answers – People who see me as a Business Leader are surprised how technically savvy I am. People who see me as a Technical Leader as surprised at my business acumen.” At the time, he responded “that may be the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question.” Two years after he hired me, he took me aside and said, “Remember that answer you gave in the interview, you really captured what I value most about you!”I enjoy technology, especially security and data technologies. I enjoy learning about a potential customer’s challenges. I love putting the two together and showing people how a solution, a capability, a new technology, or even just a new way of looking at things can help them advance towards overcoming that challenge. Put me on a stage, in a webinar, or at the front of a boardroom and that passion clearly comes across.When I’m working with an alliance or OEM partner, I dig deep to understand what is really important to them and then become their advocate inside my organization. Taking the time and having the passion to do this right minimizes restarts from misunderstandings, shortens the time to productivity, and maximizes resulting success.I’m most proud of the fact that if you ask my co-workers, I think they would tell you I drive hard for our success. If you asked my technology partners, they would tell you that I drive hard for theirs. If you asked my customers, they would tell you that I am trusted advisor, someone that helps them navigate their challenges in new ways.