BOB Member of the Year 2008 Results

Bob

We are pleased to announce that Dwayne Hoffpauir has been a repeat selection as the 2008 BOB Member of the Year. Dwayne was one of the top vote recipients from the day voting opened to the day it closed so it is obvious that his efforts are well appreciated by the BOB community.

Andreas also repeated this year as he was once again voted into second place. Thanks, Andreas, for your excellent contributions to BOB in the past. We look forward to your continued contributions in the future.

Third place went to Michael Welter this year. Michael was in the top group last year but didn't quite crack into the top three; this year Michael was in the top running for the entire time voting was open. Michael has been a regular presenter at the national user conference and a long time user of the products having started with them in 1999.

Rather than just present the winners we thought it would be fun to do short interviews to learn more about our top vote getters and what they do outside of BOB. We interviewed Dwayne last year, so he opted out this year. Andreas, in his words, is "taking a break" at the moment and declined to be interviewed this year. But Michael got up at 6am (his local time) to give us an hour of his weekend so we could learn a bit more about what makes him tick.

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BOB: First, congratulations for placing in the top three for the BOB Member of the Year voting for 2008, I think it's recognition that is well deserved.
Michael: Thank you. I'm quite honored and humbled.

BOB: I went back and looked at your profile, and your join date was early in August of 2002 so that means that you got pulled in before the formal launch date, but a couple of months after the initial development started. Do you remember how you became aware of BOB?
Michael: I had created an earlier user ID, then abandoned it before GoLive. I was involved in the early discussions of a replacement for the email ListServe.

BOB: Do you remember when you joined the original mailing list?
Michael: I believe that was in the Fall of 1999. That's when I bought the software and started taking classes.

BOB: At that time you were a "user" rather than a consultant as you are today, correct?
Michael: Yes, that is correct. I was working for Verizon Wireless, and was a Business Objects customer.

BOB: And today you work for Westbay Solutions, a consulting partner based out of Santa Ana, California. Does Westbay know of and support your involvement with BOB?
Michael: Yes, in fact, they promote my involvement with BOB. We have the original BOB T-Shirt on display in our main office.
BOB: How fun! I had no idea...

BOB: What is your role at Westbay?
Michael: I have two primary roles. I am a Sr. Consultant as well as an Instructor. Our philosophy is that training classes lead to consulting, and that has certainly been true for the 6 years that I have been with Westbay.
BOB: And it gives you the opportunity to spread the gospel of BOB to your training classes

Michael: Absolutely. I spend about 15 minutes in each class doing a "BOB demo".

BOB: I did some checking, and the three areas that you are most active on BOB are the Semantic Layer, Business Objects Desktop, and <ahem> Off Topic

Does any of that surprise you?
Michael: Hmmm . . . no comment on that 3rd one.
BOB: I think the "Please do not post here" topic is going to be quite a legacy

Michael: My forte is universe development, and my background in reporting is primarily Deski, so those two don't surprise me. The "Do not post" thread will most likely be gone by the time this interview is published.

BOB: In looking back over your posting history, you have been one of the most regular contributors to BOB, averaging just barely under 100 posts per month. The level of activity has been relatively constant over the years as well. Does BOB have a regular part in your schedule? Morning, evening, some standard time that you tend to log in and post?
Michael: I jump on BOB every morning, and then check in a few times during the day, and sometimes evenings as well.

Michael: Back in 1999, when I got started with Business Objects, the ListServe was a critical part of our success. My involvement with BOB is my way to pay back, or should I say, pay forward, for the help I got when I was new with this product.

BOB: Do you have a favorite BOB story, and if so, what is it?
Michael: Well, pre-BOB: When I was learning the tool, I remember one time I was really struggling with a Full Client document. I just couldn't get it right. I sent a message to the ListServe. Steve Krandel replied, and after several unsuccessful attempts to assist me via the ListServe, he finally invited me to email the document to him. I did. An hour later, he emailed it back, fixed, with step by step instructions on how he fixed it. Steve was a consultant at that time, and it blew me away that a consultant would do what he did for free. That had a huge impact on me, and I've admired Steve ever since.
BOB: That's a great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Michael: You're welcome

BOB: If you could suggest a new feature or change for BOB, what would it be?
Michael: I think the most important feature that could be added with be the ability to search on phrases. That would be huge, at least for me.
BOB: It's a popular request. We're looking at two different solutions for that. I hope you can be patient

Michael: I have been so far.

BOB: And now to wrap up with a few extra questions for the personal touch...

BOB: You have a guitar in your signature, do you have a favorite musician or group?
Michael: I have several. I think my favorite bands would be Newsboys, Jars of Clay, and Kutless.
BOB: If I remember correctly, you have a studio in your house?
Michael: Yes, but it's been scaled back since we moved in 2006. It's primarily a "mastering" studio now. I haven't set up a sound room here.

BOB: Do you have other outside hobbies or interests other than music?
Michael: I love camping and hiking, but don't get the opportunity to do either very often. My last trip was in July, when I spent a week in Yosemite alone, camping and hiking.
BOB: That sounds like a great trip, a retreat of sorts
Michael: It was, indeed.

BOB: Last question: what is your favorite meal of the day, and why?
Michael: I think I would go with Lunch. It's a break in the middle of the workday, and I use it as a way to clear my mind. I have a policy of eating lunch away from the desk, so I can clear my mind of the issues of the morning. It usually gives me a more productive afternoon.

BOB: Anything that you would you like to say to close this interview?
Michael: I would like to thank all my fans out there that voted for me. My success is their success.

BOB: Thank you, Michael, for getting up so early on a Saturday to share a bit more of your time with the BOB community, and congratulations again on being selected as one of the BOB Members of the Year.

Marek Chladny · Forum Devotee Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 10270

My congratulations to Dwayne, Andreas and Michael

You guys really deserve it

And I hope you will continue in your help in BOB.

Thanks.

MikeD

Ditto ... Dwayne, Andreas and Michael are not only deserving of this accolade - but are also a true reflection of the heart & soul of BOBJ.
This place is a classic example of community involvement at it's best and I think much THANKS is also due to ALL the Moderators and forum Administrators that have consistantly provided an excellent service to the Business Objects community.

Well Done Guys & Gals