John Deardurff

About John Deardurff

I’ve spent more than twenty-five years working at the intersection of data, education, and the Microsoft platform. The constant through all of it has been one simple passion: To educate, elevate, and empower everyone to achieve more.Along the way, I’ve earned 66 Microsoft Certifications, passed 88 exams, and have been a Microsoft Certified Trainer since June For a decade, I had the honor of representing the United States as an MCT Regional Lead (2012–2022), supporting thousands of trainers and helping raise the bar for instructional excellence around the world. One of my proudest moments was being the recipient of the 2018 Enrique Lima Award for MCT Community Service.I’ve also been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for Data Platform (2016–2018), which reflects my long-standing love for SQL Server and the data community. I continued to deepen those skills by earning the SQL Skills Blackbelt for SQL Server 2019. My career has always blended hands-on technical work with teaching, writing, and community leadership. A few highlights:New Horizons Top 25 Worldwide Technical Instructor in 2015 and 2016Co‑Organizer for SQL Saturday Indianapolis (2015–2020)PASS Summit Ambassador (2017–2019) and Speaker (2018)Microsoft Ignite MCT Ambassador (2015–2021)Guest speaker at 75+ SQL Saturday and Azure Data Community events across the U.S.I’ve also contributed to SQL Server’s technical community through writing and content creation, including serving as a Technical Editor for Apress Publishing on both the SQL Server 2022 and SQL Server 2025 Query Performance Tuning books, while also creating video training content for them on T‑SQL Query Writing. Before joining Microsoft, I spent nearly two decades helping IT professionals grow their careers through hands-on, practical instruction. Today, as a Senior Cloud Solution Architect, I help customers modernize their data estates and adopt Azure data services. At the core, whether I’m teaching, writing, or contributing to the community, my mission stays the same: Make data technology more accessible, more impactful, and more rewarding for everyone.A much younger John earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boys Scout of America in 1986 and served in the Indiana Army National Guard from 1987 through 1993.

Experience

1. Senior Cloud Solution Architect

   Microsoft

   Aug 2024 — Present · Indianapolis, IN, US

   Transactional Service Engineer specializing in performance tuning, business continuity, and security across SQL Server and Azure SQL Databases.Global Product Lead for SQL Server workshops, driving continuous improvement, modernizing content, and elevating customer satisfactions scores through responsive updates based on client and instructor feedback.Master Trainer and Content Owner for data workshops including:Azure SQL Database EssentialsSQL Server: Features & AdministrationSQL Server: Performance Tuning & OptimizationSQL Server: Security EssentialsMaster Trainer & Content Lead for Essential Educate Trainer Skills, and creator of “Soft Skills for Trainers,” helping technical instructors strengthen delivery quality and customer experience.

Education

• Western Governors University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Network and System Administration/Administrator

  2014 — 2016

• Western Governors University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Information Technology

  2016 — 2018

• Terre Haute North Vigo High School

  High School Diploma

  1986 — 1988

• Microsoft

  Professional Degree, Data Science

  2016 — 2016

• International Correspondence School

  Personal Computers

  1994 — 1995

Skills

• Windows 7
• Mcdba
• Access
• Networking
• Active Directory
• Windows Server
• Security+
• System Administration
• Microsoft Dns
• Visual Basic
• Dns
• Hands-on Training
• Public Speaking
• Comptia Network+
• Windows Server 2003
• Microsoft Office
• Disaster Recovery
• Troubleshooting
• Microsoft Sql Server
• Captivate
• Microsoft Certified Professional
• Classroom
• A+ Certified
• Technical Training
• Information Technology
• Windows Nt
• Training Delivery
• Training
• E-Learning
• Databases
• Windows Server 2008
• Security
• Computer Hardware
• Microsoft Technologies
• Learning Management Systems
• Instructional Design
• Mcitp
• Database Design
• Network Administration
• Windows Xp