This is a tough post for me to write… it is not something easy for me, but I’ll get right to it.

I’m a .NET Ninja!

Friday, November 14th is the last day I will be working for Telerik as a Developer Advocate.  I’ve been working for Telerik for almost two years and have enjoyed every bit of it.  I have traveled around the United States and even to Bulgaria representing Telerik and their ASP.NET controls.  It’s a job that I have truly enjoyed, and its a bit sad for me to leave my friends and colleagues at Telerik.

Now for the even bigger news:  On Monday, November 17th I start work for my new employer.  This is a job that I never dreamed I could land.  I’m hard on myself: pushing myself to be a better developer, a better public speaker, a better leader for my team.  I was completely flattered and honored when I received my first Microsoft MVP award.  Recognition from the ASP.NET team whose products I had been using for many years was humbling to me.  It is in that same spirit that I can now share that I am joining Microsoft as a Program Manager on the NuGet team.

This is not a step that I am taking lightly.  I recognize that this is a position with a lot of responsibility and that I have a number of significant goals with Microsoft.  I am looking forward to the challenge and working with developers and friends that are the best in the business.

Update: I have been told that I do NOT have to change my name to Scott in order to complete new employee orientation.  That’s a relief…

In addition to leading NuGet, I will also be assisting in the ASP.NET and Azure evangelism efforts in the Eastern half of North America.  This should relieve some of the burden from my teammates who are anchored in Washington, Oregon, and California.  My first assignment is to keynote the November 2014 VSLive event.

To my colleagues, customers, and friends at Telerik: Thank you for everything over the past two years.  You are rock-star ninjas with a very creative approach to our industry, and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you.  I am truly lucky to be leaving a job I love, for a job I could have never dreamed of.